Writing
Sid Lucero, a 21-year old pre-Med student, is an aspiring neophyte of the Alpha Kappa Omega fraternity. Over a six-month initiation period, he and six other neophytes are subjected to severe physical and psychological torture in and outside the fraternity house.
Escaping the torment of growing up with an abusive older brother, he and his friends found further suffering at the hands of Japanese soldiers, forced into sex work to survive. But even after the war, Markova's struggle continued.
Luisa is raped by an unknown assailant a few nights before she is wed to Jake. When Jake discovers Luisa's prenuptial chastity is in question on their first night, violent events unfold.
Mike De Leon's entry into the omnibus "Southern Winds" where he follows Julio Madiaga into the new world of Filipino Entertainment.
A nun who acts as a counselor in a home for unwed mother undergoes political awakening when her friend and namesake belonging to the same congregation as hers inspires her to get involved in the struggle for justice and freedom of striking workers in a cooking oil company.
Mike de Leon's only video feature to date, a personalized adaptation of John Fowles' chilling The Collector.
Signos (1984) is a Super 8mm film documentary that was a true product of its time, a collaboration by film artists and writers, who, in spite of varying political persuations, were united by one common goal – ousting the reviled Marcos regime. It features interviews of courageous personalities who challenged the autocratic rule of the Marcos family.
Set against the backdrop of Japanese occupation in the Philippines during WWII. Captain Hiroshi's Filipina lover dies while giving birth to their daughter, and he soon runs out of powdered milk to feed his infant. Conveniently, he encounters Pilar, whose husband, Diego, is being tortured by Hiroshi's soldiers as a suspected guerrilla. Pilar, who begs Hiroshi for Diego's release, ends up working in Hiroshi's household as a wet nurse for the infant.
