
Mel Chionglo
Directing
Biography
Carmelo Chionglo (July 16, 1946 – September 21, 2019) was a Filipino film director and production designer. He has directed more than 40 films since 1981. From 1966 to 1976, he worked and studied acting and directing at the New York Academy of Theatrical Arts. Returning to Manila, he worked as production designer. He was one of the founding members of the Directors’ Guild of the Philippines Inc. He also served as board member on the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board.
Known For
Rio del Mar is a Philippine TV drama series produced by TAPE Inc. and broadcast on the GMA Network. Directed by Mel Chionglo, Jeffrey Jeturian and Gina Alajar, this series is about family, friendship, deception and betrayal. The series was the comeback of 1980s actress, Vivian Velez.
Rio Del Mar

Joel, Dennis and Sonny are three poor, handsome brothers who support their parents by working as "macho" dancers in the lively gay club scene of Manila in this dramedy that was originally banned in the Philippines.
Midnight Dancers

As their wedding day approaches, Joel and Grace open up about their past lovers, and just before the wedding day, their ex-lovers meet up with them.
The Marriage

Flashbacks encompass the history of the Philippines as well as the life story of the elderly Daniel Aguila. The Aguila family gathers to celebrate Daniel's 88th birthday, but the old man is nowhere to be seen--he has been missing for a decade. Suspecting that his father is in Mindanao, one of his sons takes off for that region in a determined search. Along the way, his memories of the nation and his father's life tell the story of 80 tumultuous years of personal and historical development.
Aguila

A plot of love, lust, lies and revenge intertwine in one hot summer where multiple fates collide: Janine, a rich socialite returning home to the Philippines with her parents after the death of the family matriarch; Marco, her coy boyfriend harboring a secret connected to both their pasts; Loida, her mother, still haunted by the memory of a baby forcibly taken away from her 18 years ago; Leni, a simple girl and housemaid with big ambitions, silently jealous of Janine's looks, money, and man; and Robert, Marco's best friend simply longing for Leni's heart, if she could only take her eyes off of Marco.
Hot Summer

Orphan Carding befriends Army Captain Samuel Corazon, who’s stationed in his town to root out the remaining Huk guerrillas. At the dance hall, Corazon woos dancer Lauriana, and they soon move in together. The two become sort of surrogate parents for the orphan Carding, with Corazon teaching him the ways of men. But the soldier has a dark side, and Carding becomes witness to the violence occurring in their home, and a heinous act committed by the soldier on his common-law wife.
Lauriana

Virginal Ninay becomes a woman as an object of desire for liberation, but she's confused about her gender.
Will I Always Be a Woman?

Current most popular performer at a gay club in the Philippines (though it’s patronized by an awful lot of ogling straight women), Dwight (Tyron Perez) has a crush on a collegiate girl and an eye on better prospects working abroad. But he unwisely gets involved with boytoy-hungry Madame Loca (Cherry Pie Pichache), a ruthless, corrupt businesswoman. Her disillusioned ex-dancer bodyguard Bert (Lauren Novero) tries in vain to warn Dwight. Meanwhile, past-prime-at-28 Alfred (Allen Dizon) struggles to find legit work to support his wife and child.
Twilight Dancers

In the aftermath of the eruption of Mount Pinatubo, a volcano dormant for more than 400 years, the residents of the whole town of San Simon in Pampanga was engulfed by dust and thick mudflow called lahar. The whole surviving residents of the devastated community are relocated to transitional evacuation center, a tent city, where different and unique personalities meet: Sheila, a migrant worker from Germany who is struggling to keep her family intact at all costs; Sonia who is looking for her missing husband while pretending as a handicapped so she can beg on the streets; Ditas, who returns in Pampanga after getting pregnant in Manila; and Elena, a mother who lost her whole family in the eruption, yet she keeps a positive outlook in life that as long as she remembers her relatives no amount of tragedy could keep her from reminiscing of their once peaceful lives.
Lahar: Paraisong Abo

A witty sex comedy about two young cousins who trade places for their courtship strategies which end up hilarious.
Salawahan

After years of hiding from a cruel, suspicious society on the land, the mermaid Dyesebel returns and falls in love with a man named Fredo. However, she becomes the target of Fredo's jealous ex girlfriend.
Dyesebel

Harry leaves Olongapo, the former site of American bases, with his best friend James. They end up in Manila where they soon find work as macho dancers in a gay bar run by Mama Odette. Harry has a troubled past -- his American father used to pimp him and his mother, Betty. When his father accidentally killed his mother, Harry struck out on his own. He made a vow to kill his father.
Burlesk King

A woman asks his man to marry her for she is with child but the man is noncommittal. To save her reputation, she agrees to marry another man, who turns out to be a psychopath.
Pakasalan Mo Ako

Viveca is happily married to Cholo, a renowned and respected psychiatrist. Unknown to many, Viveca, has long been leading a double life. She has an appetite for men, for quick, and sometimes very dangerous sexual adventures, be it real or fantasy. There is no question in her mind how much she loves her family. Viveca had a one-time affair with Andre, a DJ who is bored with his life. He surrounds himself with toys from drugs to race cars to Dahlia, who is more a girl toy than a girlfriend. A one night stand with Viveca gives Andre the speed he has been looking for: a forbidden love affair with a very attractive married woman. He pursues Viveca like there is no tomorrow. Viveca tries to distance herself from Andre, but he proves to be too stubborn for her. Complications upon complications set it. Should Viveca remain secretive of what is happening or continue living a life of deceit.
Two Timer

A coming-of-age story of college student Joey, who's lost all sense of direction. His only inspiration is music, but he is yet to finish writing a song. His life changes when he meets Ana and his world is suddenly turned upside-down.
Moments in a Stolen Dream

Mel Chionglo's directorial debut revolves around a mother and daughter who play the rules of the game in the world by selling their bodies for the desires of flesh.
Playgirl

A wife finally realizes that there is life after her separation from her husband and devotes her time and attention instead to their daughter who gives birth to a child out of wedlock.
Paano Kung Wala Ka Na?

It is about a group of investigative journalists from a sub-par TV station who accidentally scores a scoop that a 21-year-old boy is looking around for his identity… he claims to be the son of the late director Lino Brocka, a known gay filmmaker.
The Son of Brocka

A young college student is in a heated affair with his college professor. He attempts revenge after being stricken with grief and resentment by his professor's mother, and takes revenge on his professor's now settled family only to obtain her for himself
Nagsimula sa Puso

A young woman, Cristy, must reconcile the choices she makes for her future with the demands of her overbearing mother, Rosa, in this intricate Filipino drama. When Cristy's father, Julio, abandons the family for his rich mistress, Jenny, Rosa refuses to let Cristy attend college. Tension mounts when Cristy not only seeks help from her dad but also falls in love with Jenny's brother.