Students to continue ‘Found Story’ School of late Bing Lao

MANILA -- Award-winning screenwriter and director Armando “Bing” Lao hoped to continue teaching until 90 years old, but he passed away at 75. Some students he had mentored aspire to fulfill his dream of immortalizing his famed "Found Story" School of Filmmaking teachings in a book, ensuring that his wisdom and legacy will continue to inspire future generations of filmmakers. 

“Hindi pa natapos yung ‘Found Story’ book niya. Ang dami niya hinihintay. Last year sinabi niya sa akin, ready na siya gawin yung book. Complete na module natin, maybe it is time. Gusto na niya isulat. Kaso nasira yung computer... Kaya noong mag bibirthday siya, kinausap ko sina Zig, ibang students, gift na lang namin laptop. Pero days after, na-stroke na. Pagplaplanuhan pa sana namin,” Honee Alipio, writer and one of Lao’s mentees, recalled in an interview held in Quezon City, Wednesday afternoon. 

(He has not finished his Found Story Book. He was waiting for so many things. Last year he told me, he was ready to write the book. The module was complete, so he thought maybe it was time. He wanted to write it already. Unfortunately, his computer broke down... On his birthday, we were hoping to gift him with a laptop. Days after he again had a stroke. We were still planning.)

“We hope we can compile. We will try… gusto naming mga students pagpatuloy workshop. Maganda siyang alternative sa Syd Field approach. Mas kinikilala ng Found Story ang pagiging Asyano mo, pagiging Pilipino. Socialized tayo eh vs sa westernized o individualized… kaya naman namin. Kahit naka module na siya. Kaya na namin i-facilitate sa mga susunod na aspiring filmakers,” she added. 

(We hope we can compile. We will try… we want to continue his workshop. It is a good alternative. Found Story understands more the Asian and Filipino experience and identity. We are socialized, Westerners are individualized. I think we can do it. We can facilitate aspiring filmmakers.)

The late veteran writer is celebrated for elevating Philippine cinema locally and abroad. But beyond his numerous awards and recognition, Lao’s true legacy thrives in the hearts of his students, who continue to carry his torch—and are now shaping the film world themselves, pushing its boundaries even further. 

“He would give way to his students. He stopped writing so he won’t have to compete with his students, he would give them the opportunity, he is that kind of person,” Alipio said. 

Lao shared his decades-long writing experience and knowledge with over 40 batches of aspiring writers and artists in his "Found Story" School of Filmmaking. Among those who participated was the late-writer’s longtime friend and colleague renowned independent filmmaker Brillante Mendoza. 

“I was very lucky isa ako sa pinakaunang batch,” he revealed. “Ang laking contribution ni Bing as a writer. Lahat ng nagawa niya at nasulat niya nagkaroon ng impact. Di man blockbuster, may imprint sila sa Philippine Cinema.” 

(I was very lucky I part of the first few batches. He has a significant contribution as a writer. Everything he wrote had an impact, even if they were not blockbuster hits, they left an imprint in Philippine Cinema.)

Coco Martin reunites with 'Masahista' director Brillante Mendoza, cast

According to Mendoza, Lao introduced a cinematic treasure to the country. 

“Para makabuo ka noong ’Found Story’ you have to be a genius. Kung writer ka lang di mo kaya, kumbaga science yun and may sinusunod ka talaga na formula,” he said. 

(To come up with Found Story, you have to be a genius. It is like science because you need to follow a formula.)

He went on, “He is a mentor. He created ibang klase ng method na paggawa ng pelikula sa Pilipinas.”

(He is a mentor. He created a new method of filmmaking in the Philippines.)

The director shared that he and Lao began working together when Mendoza was still a production designer. Their collaboration continued until Mendoza directed Lao’s scripts, such as “Kinatay,” which earned Mendoza several awards, including a “Best Director” win at the 62nd Cannes Film Festival. 

“Parang isa kaming grupo na nag umpisa sabay-sabay. Una naming collaboration ni Bing, marami as writer and ako production designer. We started out as friends. Si Bing hindi katrabaho lang. Sa paggaya ng pelikula scriptwriter, iba way namin eh. Kami, ano talaga, collaboration. Hindi lang pelikula, isa siyang malaking collaboration. Merong fulfillment sa ginagawa namin kahit walang award,” he explained. 

(We were a group that started at the same time. Our first few collaborations were when I was a production designer. It’s not just work, it is like we are making one big collaboration. There is fulfillment.)

“Dalawa ang pelikula na sinulat niya na nag-compete sa Cannes. Isa nanalo ako. All the rest are all consultation. Ibig sabihin, andyan siya. Supervisor namin. Lahat ng mga yan naging internationally acclaimed,” he added. 

(He wrote two films that competed at the Cannes. One won. All the rest were consultations. Meaning, he was there. He supervised. All became internationally acclaimed.)

Kapamilya actor Coco Martin, who starred in Mendoza’s film “Kinatay,” as well as other masterpieces penned by Lao such as “Serbis,” “Tirador,” “Masahista,” “Pula,” and “Biyaheng Lupa,” said his mentorship laid the groundwork of his now thriving career. 

“Isa siya sa mga naging mentor ko noong ako ay nagsisimula pa lang sa industriya. Hinding hindi ko makakalimutan ang lahat ng aral at gabay na ibinahagi mo sa akin. Isa pong malaking karangalan na makilala ka at maging bahagi ng iyong mga dekalibreng obra. Mahal na mahal kita, Tito Bing! Mananatiling buhay ang iyong mga obra sa aming puso at isipan. Paalam at Walang Hanggang Salamat po,” Martin wrote on his Instagram account. 

(He is one of my mentors when I just started, I will never forget what he taught me. It is a great honor to be part of his obra. I love you, Tito Bing. Your masterpieces will remain in our hearts and minds.)

'Pula' starring Coco Martin, Julia Montes premieres on Netflix
Coco Martin thankful as 'Pula' tops Netflix PH

Several other industry stakeholders also considered the late veteran artist as one of the geniuses of Philippine cinema. 

The revered teacher’s knack for visual storytelling for instance left a lasting impression on Chito Roño, who directed Lao’s “Itanong mo sa Buwan” and “La Vida Rosa,” which both won at the Gawad Urian Awards for Best Screenplay. 

“Ang sarap gawin ng script. Talagang pinag-isipan ang script,” he enthused.

(It was a great experience shooting the script. It was well thought of.)

“Ang ganda, ibang style. Ang sarap i-shoot. Ang linis linis. Pinag-isipan talaga. Alam mo hindi lang subo. Ganon siya sumulat. And madami siya naturuan magsulat,” he added. 

(It was a different style. It was outstanding. The script was clean. It was not mediocre. That is how he is.)

Director Armando Reyes, who briefly shared a roof with Lao, explained that the late artist’s superb writing skills paralleled his deep understanding of Filipino experiences. 

Reyes recalled how Lao pushed boundaries as he brought to life the characters of the comics “Saan Nagtatago Ang Pag-ibig?” for the film adaptation. 

“Triny niya… wala siya hinihindian. Isang damukal na album ng comics binasa. Binuo niya. Nasabi ko iba si Bing. Talagang nagkaroon ng character yung mga andoon. Dati walang ganoon sa Komiks, flat. Nabuhay mga characters. Lalo na noong napanood ko. Talagang iba. Nasa nagtatransform yan nang ikakaganda. Lalo na noong directed by Eddie Garcia, acted by Vilma Santos and Ricky Davao. Napakagandang pelikula,” he said.

(He tried. He read so many comics. That’s when I knew Bing was one-of-a-kind. The comics really had character that were otherwise flat. He transformed it into a beautiful film.)

Beyond the scripts penned by Lao that left an indelible mark on the film industry, the wisdom from his lectures students will carry throughout their careers, Lao's impact on the lives he touched over the years is most evident in how his students stood by him in his final days.

“Kami kami na lang din nag-alaga... Maraming tinulungan si Sir Bing. Tinulungan niya hindi lang ako, marami bumuo ng pangarap, matupad mga pangarap… kinupkop namin. Hindi namin pinabayaan. Hangga't kaya,” Alipio said. 

(We were the ones who took care of him. He helped so many. H helped piece together the dreams of so many, we took him in and took care of him as much as we could.)

PH cinema icon Armando 'Bing' Lao dies at 75