Jerry Lopez Sineneng
Jerry Lopez Sineneng | |
|---|---|
| Born | June 10, 1965 |
| Other name | Jerry Sineneng |
| Education | University of the Philippines Diliman |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1985–present |
| Awards | FAMAS Award for Best Screenplay (2000) |
Jerry Lopez Sineneng (born June 10, 1965), also credited as Jerry Sineneng, is a Filipino film and television director and screenwriter. He began working in film production in 1985 and made his feature-film directing debut with Mara Clara: The Movie in 1996.[1] His directing credits include the films Labs Kita... Okey Ka Lang? (1998), Soltera (1999), Way Back Home (2011), and A Special Memory (2026), as well as the television series Esperanza, Walang Hanggan, Kadenang Ginto, and Widows' Web.[2] In 2000, Sineneng and Jun Lana won the FAMAS Award for Best Screenplay for Soltera.[3]
Early life and education
Sineneng was born on June 10, 1965. He initially studied biology at the University of the Philippines before transferring to the university's newly established Film and Audio-Visual Arts program in the College of Mass Communication. He was a member of the program's first graduating class and completed his studies in 1986.[1]
Career
Early work and film directing
Before graduating, Sineneng worked as a wardrobe assistant under director Chaning Carlos on the 1985 comedy Horsey-Horsey: Tigidig-Tigidig. He later spent two years as a production assistant at FPJ Productions. He then joined a writing group led by Peque Gallaga and worked on screenplays for the second, third, and fourth installments of the Shake, Rattle & Roll film series.[1]
When the drama anthology Maalaala Mo Kaya began broadcasting on ABS-CBN, Sineneng submitted a script and was hired as a resident writer. The program later gave him his first television-directing assignment. He directed his first feature film, Mara Clara: The Movie, in 1996, followed by films including Flames: The Movie (1997), Kung Ayaw Mo, Huwag Mo! (1998), Labs Kita... Okey Ka Lang? (1998), Soltera (1999), and Ngayong Nandito Ka (2003).[1] His screenplay for Soltera, co-written with Lana, received the 2000 FAMAS Award for Best Screenplay.[3]
Television work
Sineneng's first television drama series as a director was Esperanza in 1997. His subsequent ABS-CBN work included Labs Ko Si Babe, Basta't Kasama Kita, Hiram, Maria Flordeluna, Kahit Isang Saglit, Dahil May Isang Ikaw, Imortal, Walang Hanggan, Huwag Ka Lang Mawawala, Hawak Kamay, A Love to Last, Kadenang Ginto, Love Thy Woman, and La Vida Lena.[2]
After more than two decades with ABS-CBN, Sineneng signed with GMA Network in November 2021. His first announced project for the network was the suspense drama Widows' Web.[2][4] He subsequently co-directed Start-Up PH (2022) with Dominic Zapata and directed Stolen Life (2023–2024).[5][6]
In 2026, Sineneng directed the GMA afternoon series House of Lies, following his work on Prinsesa ng City Jail. He described drama and horror as his strongest genres and said that his on-set process included rehearsals and collaborative work with actors.[7] He also returned to film directing with A Special Memory, a Philippine adaptation of the Japanese television drama Pure Soul, written by National Artist Ricky Lee and released in March 2026.[8]
Directing approach
Sineneng has said that he seeks to make the stories he directs believable and relatable.[9] In discussing his television work, he has emphasized concentration, mutual support among actors, and rehearsal as part of his production process.[7]
Selected filmography
Film
| Year | Title |
|---|---|
| 1996 | Mara Clara: The Movie |
| 1997 | Flames: The Movie |
| 1998 | Kung Ayaw Mo, Huwag Mo! |
| 1998 | Labs Kita... Okey Ka Lang? |
| 1999 | Soltera |
| 2003 | Ngayong Nandito Ka |
| 2011 | Way Back Home |
| 2014 | Maybe This Time |
| 2026 | A Special Memory |
Television
| Year(s) | Title |
|---|---|
| 1997 | Esperanza |
| 2000–2002 | Pangako Sa 'Yo[1] |
| 2012 | Walang Hanggan |
| 2018 | Kadenang Ginto |
| 2021 | La Vida Lena |
| 2022 | Widows' Web |
| 2022 | Start-Up PH |
| 2023 | Stolen Life |
| 2025 | Prinsesa ng City Jail |
| 2026 | House of Lies |
Awards and nominations
| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | FAMAS Award | Best Screenplay (with Jun Lana) | Soltera | Won |
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 Bautista, Mario E. (February 26, 2003). "A believer in happy endings". The Philippine Star. Retrieved August 6, 2026.
- 1 2 3 Anarcon, James Patrick (November 24, 2021). "Former ABS-CBN director Jerry Lopez Sineneng signs with GMA-7". Philippine Entertainment Portal. Retrieved August 6, 2026.
- 1 2 Lo, Ricky (April 10, 2000). "And the winners are ... but where are the winners?". The Philippine Star. Retrieved August 6, 2026.
- ↑ "Former Kapamilya director at the helm of GMA's first suspense series 'Widows' Web'". Philippine Daily Inquirer. February 28, 2022. Retrieved August 6, 2026.
- ↑ "Directors Jerry Sineneng, Dominic Zapata praise Alden Richards, Bea Alonzo". Manila Bulletin. June 22, 2022. Retrieved August 6, 2026.
- ↑ "A powerhouse GMA Afternoon Prime offering: 'Stolen Life' brings rival stories to another level". GMA Entertainment. November 10, 2023. Retrieved August 6, 2026.
- 1 2 Donato, Jerry (January 19, 2026). "Jerry Sineneng at the helm of GMA drama about family and lies". The Philippine Star. Retrieved August 6, 2026.
- ↑ Severo, Jan Milo (February 19, 2026). "Bela Padilla, Carlo Aquino reunite on big screen in 'A Special Memory'". Philstar.com. Retrieved August 6, 2026.
- ↑ Hernandez, Wilbur (February 1, 2019). "Push Pins: Jerry Lopez-Sineneng wants to keep it real". ABS-CBN Entertainment. Retrieved August 6, 2026.