Ricardo Arreola Lee, known to the world as Ricky Lee, was born on March 19, 1948, in Daet, Camarines Norte. A National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts (2022), he stands as the Philippines’ most awarded scriptwriter and one of its most influential cultural figures, whose work has woven itself into the fabric of Filipino identity.
From Daet’s Streets to Manila’s Spotlight
Lee’s early life was marked by hardship and resilience. Orphaned by age five, his mother passed away when he was young, and his father died when he was in grade school. Consequently, he was raised by relatives in his hometown in Daet, Camarines Norte as well as in Basud. Finding solace in stories, he devoured books from the local public library located in the old provincial capitol building of Camarines Norte.
He intimated to me that there were instances that he tore out pages with vivid imagery to compile his own “super books”. There were times when he snuck into cinemas, or otherwise he would just listen to film dialogues connected to loudspeakers from outside theaters since he couldn’t afford to buy tickets. That was how his interest in motion picture stories was awakened.
Being of Chinese descent, he enrolled in Chung Hua High School in Daet for his basic education. The intelligent boy that he was, Ricky Lee was always a top student throughout his primary and secondary education. He began writing in high school, publishing his first short story, “Mayon,” it was a reimagining of the volcano’s origin as a love story, in the Philippine Free Press. That was his initial foray into creative writing before he became a well-renowned scriptwriter.
In pursuit of his dreams, he left Bicol for Manila, where he survived by taking odd jobs as a waiter and clerk. There was even a time when he collapsed from hunger at one point before finding his footing. He enrolled in AB English at the University of the Philippines Diliman but never finished his degree, though he later taught screenwriting there.
In the late 1960s, he gained recognition for his fiction. He won consecutive first prizes at the Don Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature in 1969 and 1970. When martial law silenced much of the press, Lee turned to cinema as a medium to tell stories that reflected the Filipino experience.
A Legacy of Storytelling Across Mediums
Since 1973, Ricky Lee has written over 180 produced film scripts, collaborating with legendary directors like Lino Brocka, Ishmael Bernal, and Marilou Diaz-Abaya. His works tackle themes of poverty, faith, family, and social injustice, stories that resonate very well with audiences locally and globally.
Key screenplays include Himala (1982), which won the CNN Award for Best Asia-Pacific Film of All Time in 2011, Moral (1982), a feminist coming-of-age drama, Karnal (1983), a dark exploration of power and passion, Jose Rizal (1998), an award-winning epic biopic of the national hero, Muro-Ami (1999), which highlighted child labor in fishing, Anak (2000), a heartfelt tale of a mother and daughter divided by overseas work, and The Flor Contemplacion Story (1995), which brought international attention to OFW struggles.
In 2022, he compiled his most iconic works into two volumes: Mga Screenplay ni Ricky Lee Vol 1: Brutal, Moral, Karnal and Vol 2: Himala, Cain at Abel, Salome.
Beyond film, Lee has made significant contributions to literature and theater. He authored Brutal/Salome (1981), the first book of screenplays in the Philippines, and his scriptwriting manual Trip to Quiapo (1998) is a bestseller and a required reading in communication courses nationwide.
His popular novels include Para kay B (O Kung Paano Dinevastate ng Pag-ibig ang 4 out of 5 sa Atin) (2008), Si Amapola sa 65 na Kabanata (2011), later adapted into a graphic novel, Bahay ni Marta (2018), Kalahating Bahaghari (2024), focused on the LGBTQIA+ community, and his latest work Pinilakang Tabing (2025), which explores cinema’s impact on lives over four decades. He has also published story collections like Kung Alam N’yo Lang (2016) and Servando Magdamag at Iba Pang Maikling Kuwento (2021), along with essays in Kulang na Silya at Iba Pang Kuwentong Buhay (2020).
His play Pitik-Bulag sa Buwan ng Pebrero (1989) and the musical Himala: Isang Musikal (2022), which won eight Gawad Buhay awards, showcase his versatility. In television, he serves as a creative consultant for prime time shows like Maria Clara at Ibarra, breathing new life into classic Filipino literature for modern audiences.
Impact on Society and the Arts
Ricky Lee’s greatest gift to the Philippines extends beyond his own work. Obviously, he has nurtured generations of storytellers. Since 1982, he has conducted free scriptwriting workshops from his apartment, producing hundreds of graduates, including Lav Diaz, Quark Henares, and Jeffrey Jeturian, artists who now lead the next wave of Philippine cinema and media. His mantra, “It’s important to be a good writer, but it’s more important to be a good person,” guides both his craft and his mentorship.
His work has also sparked national conversations. Himala challenged blind faith and superstition, while The Flor Contemplacion Story brought global attention to the plight of overseas Filipino workers. Through his films, books, and plays, Ricky Lee gives voice to the marginalized, reminding audiences of the power of narrative to foster empathy and drive social change.
He has received over 90 awards, including three lifetime achievement honors, the 2015 UP Gawad Plaridel, and recognition as a Gawad CCP awardee in 2018. Yet he remains grounded, continuing to write daily and advocate for the role of arts in building a more compassionate nation.
Ricky Lee bridges different generations of creative writers even as he ensures that Filipino storytelling remains rooted in empathy, social awareness, and a commitment to giving voice to all sectors of society. His influence permeates not just film and literature, but also television, theater, and digital media, making him a driving force in shaping the future of the Philippine arts community.
The header features a montage of popular movie posters with Ricky Lee as scriptwriter, left to right: Anak (2000) with Vilma Santos, The Flor Contemplacion Story (1995) with Nora Aunor, Jose Rizal (1998) with Cesar Montano, Muro-Ami (1999) with Cesar Montano, Karnal (1983) with Charito Solis.
About the author
ABEL C. ICATLO is a Cum Laude graduate of the University of the Philippines Diliman with a degree in Bachelor of Arts in Philippine Studies, Major in Political Science and Philosophy, and holds his Master’s degree in Public Administration from the Philippine Christian University. A former faculty member at the University of the Philippines and the University of Asia and the Pacific. A 2025 UPAA Distinguished Alumni Awardee in Culture and Arts in Cultural Heritage Preservation and Promotion. He is the Curator of Museo Bulawan in Daet, Camarines Norte.