Ronnie Zabala Lazaro (born November 14, 1957) is a Filipino film and television actor, producer, casting director, and art director. He won the Gawad Urian for Best Actor for Yanggaw (English title: Affliction; 2008).
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Biography
He has received many nominations throughout his career as an actor, nine of which were for Best Supporting Actor, and two for Best Actor (Ebolusyon in 2005 and Boatman in 1984). His films received recognition not only in the Philippines but also in international film festivals such as Cannes, Berlin and Hong Kong. He is currently working on a saga, Heremias, with Filipino director Lav Diaz, the first part of which has been shown for exhibition in the 23rd Turin Film Festival. He has also performed in several foreign projects filmed both in the Philippines and abroad.
Lazaro is also active in television and has appeared in various soap operas, such as Kamada, winner of the Dove Awards in 1997, and Anna Luna, where he was nominated for Best Supporting Actor in 1990.
Lazaro was born in Sagay City, Negros Occidental. His roots are in theatre: He co-directed an improvisational play entitled Pugakhang in 1979, and has toured nationwide to stage several plays including Hiblang Abo, which he co-produced.
Aside from his work as a film, theatre and television actor, Lazaro has had his share of achievements behind the camera. His art direction in Manila by Night won the Best Production Design Award in 1981. A self-taught photographer, he also launched in January 2005 a photo exhibit in the Museo de la Cárcel Real in Cáceres, Spain entitled Manila en las palmas de la luz (Manila in the palms of light), which ran for two months. The same exhibit was again mounted in October 2006 in Museo Perez Commendador–Leroux, coinciding with the 20th anniversary of the said museum.
The Gawad Urian Awards named Lazaro Best Actor in 2009 for his portrayal of a troubled father in the movie Yanggaw (English title: Affliction). He clinched two nominations from this same award-giving body in 2012: he was nominated as Best Actor for the film Boundary, and for Best Supporting Actor for Manila Kingpin: The Asiong Salonga Story.
Aside from his native Hiligaynon, Ronnie speaks Tagalog, English and a little Spanish.
Filmography
Theatre
Bakeretta (Ghost Operetta) by Chong Wishing, translated by Liza Magtoto, Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP).
Mass by F. Sionil Jose. Directed by Cris Millado, adaptation by Rody Vera. CCP.
Oraciones by Rene Villanueva, Rody Vera, Nick Pichay and Liza Magtoto, directed by Jose Estrella. CCP.
Pinoy Agonistes by Nick Joaquin, directed by Nonon Padilla. CCP.
Hiblang Abo by Rene Villanueva, directed by Spanky Manikan and Pen Medina.
Piglas by Mikhail Bulgakov, translated by Onie de Leon. Directed by Nonon Padilla. CCP.
Ulo ni Pancho Villa by Dennis Marasigan, CCP.
Tatlong Parusa, Isang Sentensiya by Pedro Calderon de la Barca, translated by J.B. Capino. Directed by Nonon Padilla. CCP.
Neo Filipino (Dance Poetry), directed by Denissa Reyes and Agnes Locsin. CCP.
Ang Propeta (Musical), written and directed by Paulo Mercado. Music Museum.
Ibon sa Lawa by Anton Chekov, translated by Jose Maria Matute. Directed by Nonon Padilla. CCP.
And St. Louis Loves Dem Pilipinos by Floy Quintos, directed by Tony Mabesa. University of the Philippines.
Katipunan by Boni Ilagan, directed by Tony Espejo. Philippine International Convention Center.
Film
2000 Shadows (short) ... Photographer
2001 ID ... Rodel (pilay)
2001 Radio ... Peter
2001 New Moon ... Datu Ali
2002 Hesus, Rebolusyunaryo ... Miguel Reynante
2002 Utang ni Tatang ... Al
2002 Timeless ... Mirdo B. Orbida
2002 Au bout du rouleau (TV movie) Phan
2003 Bulong sa Kawalan
2004 Astigmatism ... Manong Gerry
2004 Evolution of a Filipino Family ... Fernando
2004 Panaghóy sa Subâ: The Call of the River ... Kuwanggol
2004 The Echo ... Caretaker
2005 Ang Anak ni Brocka
2005 Ilusyon ... Pablo
2005 Sandalang Bahay ... Mang Anong
2005 Boso ... Imbestigador 2
2005 Baryoke
2005 Lasponggols
2005 Miss Pinoy
2005 Maging Akin Muli (TV movie) ... Nonoy Cruz
2005 Shake, Rattle & Roll 2k5 ... Bulag (segment "Lihim ng San Joaquin")
Producer
2005: Sandalang Bahay (associate producer)
2009: Ang Beerhouse (associate producer)
Casting director
2010 Amigo
Art director
1980 City After Dark