It is with sad news that I report the passing of great Filipino film director and producer, Eddie Romero. It is reported that Romero passed away Tuesday night at the age of 88. The director was reportedly in and out of the hospital since May 18 due to “health complications.” Romero was no longer waking up and was “in a coma” on Tuesday, the director’s son Joey said.
“At around nine o’clock this evening, [Romero] passed away,” deputy Presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said in a press statement. “The Aquino administration condoles with the family, friends, colleagues, and numerous admirers of Mr. Romero.”
“His work spanned generations; Mr. Romero influenced numerous filmmakers, both here and abroad, to tread the same path and to aspire for the same sweeping ambitions that he held dear. His accomplishments form the legacy that Mr. Romero has undoubtedly left Philippine and global cinema,” the Palace said.
Romero was considered one of the greatest directors in the cinema of the Philippines and his career spanned over six decades.
Romero worked on several occasions with genre notables Sid Haig, Pam Grier and John Ashley. He is most well known for his grindhouse style of genre films he produced and directed such as Mad Doctor of Blood Island (1968), Brides of Blood (1968), Beast of the Yellow Night (1971), Beast of Blood (1971), The Big Doll House (1971), The Twilight People (1972), Black Mama, White Mama (1973), Beyond Atlantis (1973) and Savage Sisters (1974).
Romero has even influenced such American filmmakers as Quentin Tarantino and many others. There is an excellent documentary about the Filipino film industry entitled Machete Maidens Unleashed! (2010) that delves into Eddie Romero’s career and I highly recommend watching this if you haven’t seen it yet.
We here at Horror Society offer our condolences to Eddie Romero’s family and friends during this difficult time. Eddie’s contributions to Filipino and World cinema are undeniable and was a fantastic filmmaker who made many wonderful and influential films and will be missed but never forgotten. May you rest in peace kind sir.