Christopher D. Martinez is a Filipino screenwriter, director, producer, and playwright. He is best known for writing the films Ang Babae sa Septic Tank (2011), the Kimmy Dora series, and Caregiver (2008), and directing 100 (2008), Here Comes the Bride (2010) and The Gifted (2014). A Palanca Award-winning playwright, Martinez has earned critical acclaim for his work in both theater and film.
His accolades include multiple awards from the Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival, a Golden Screen Award, and recognition from international festivals such as the Asian Film Awards, Marrakech International Film Festival, and the Udine Far East Film Festival, among others.
He is also the author of the book Laugh Trip.
Early life and education Martinez credited his exposure to a wide range of films from a young age to his father, who would take him to a local Betamax rental shop when he was younger to take home movies.
He studied business administration at the University of the Philippines Diliman before transitioning to a career in writing and film.
Career Before making his feature-length directorial debut, Martinez worked as a screenwriter. He wrote the screenplay for Bridal Shower (2004), an official entry to the 29th Metro Manila Film Festival, marking his first collaboration with director Jeffrey Jeturian. The following year, he re-teamed with Jeturian for Bikini Open (2005). In 2006, he contributed as a writer to the Chito S. Roño horror film Sukob.
In addition to his screenwriting work, Martinez directed the short film Bakas, an urban horror that won the Gawad CCP Award for Alternative Filmmaking.
He made his directorial debut in 2008 with the Cinemalaya drama film 100. The film received the Audience Award at the 4th Cinemalaya Film Festival, while Martinez won Best Director and Best Screenplay. The film was also screened at the Busan International Film Festival that year, where it won the Audience Award.
In 2012, Martinez wrote and directed the movie musical I Do Bidoo Bidoo: Heto nAPO Sila!, which features a selection of songs by the Apo Hiking Society. The film competed internationally at the 8th Osaka Asian Film Festival and the Far East Film Festival. Martinez received nominations for Movie Director of the Year and Movie Screenwriter of the Year at the 29th PMPC Star Awards for Movies.
In 2014, Martinez wrote the screenplay and directed the dark comedy film The Gifted, which screen both locally and abroad. The film was invited to participate in the 17th Far East Film Festival.
Martinez served as writer and director of the 2016 comedy, Working Beks. He described the film as presenting a more varied portrayal of gay characters, moving away from the stereotypical effeminate roles that were often used for humor in earlier Philippine cinema.
In 2024, he wrote the screenplay for Espantaho, directed by Roño, which was an official entry to the 50th Metro Manila Film Festival. The following year, Martinez co-wrote the screenplay for Jeturian's UnMarry with Therese Cayaba. The pair earned the Best Screenplay award at the 51st Metro Manila Film Festival.
Influences Martinez has acknowledged that he was inspired by director Wenn V. Deramas, particularly in crafting slapstick comedy. He stated that watching Deramas’ films taught him about timing and audience appeal, while also emphasizing that he has developed his own distinct style from the director. He has also cited Comedy Writing Secrets by Melvin Helitzer as an influence on his comedic approach, noting that it taught him that the most effective comedy is rooted in emotional pain.
Martinez has also mentioned Rene Villanueva as a mentor during his playwriting career.
Style and themes Martinez is known for approaching film primarily through comedy, both in his roles as a director and a screenwriter. He described himself as a comedy director, saying that there is always a point to his comedy. In an earlier interview, he said that he prefers working in comedy, though he has also expressed openness to directing a more “painful” film.
His work frequently employs farcical situations, satire, and exaggerated character dynamics. His work as a writer on Ang Babae sa Septic Tank pokes fun at conventions of independent filmmaking in the Philippines. For the sequel, Ang Babae sa Septic Tank 2, Martinez’s script has been described as having rhythm. Director Marlon Rivera, who collaborated with him on the film, credited Martinez’s writing for the humor and character antics, and noted that Martinez is strict about actors following the script. The film continues the series’ satirical approach to Philippine cinema, which has been described as poking fun at commercial and formulaic filmmaking and exploring the tension between commercial value and film quality.
Writing for the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Rito P. Asilo noted that Martinez delivers a briskly paced comedic tone in The Gifted (2014) that balances humor with cautionary drama while exploring themes of love, friendship, and ambition.
In an interview discussing Here Comes the Groom (2023), Martinez explained that his preproduction work places emphasis on casting choices, and said that the sequel was “more pointed toward the conversation on gender identity.” His 2025 film Kontrabida Academy, which he wrote and directed, has been described as a satirical comedy that pokes fun at recycled tropes of Filipino soap operas.
Filmography
Film Year Title Credited as Notes Director Screenwriter Producer 1995 Proboys Story and screenplay 2004 Bridal Shower 2005 Bikini Open 2006 Sukob 2008 Caregiver Story and screenplay 100 2009 Kimmy Dora: Kambal sa Kiyeme 2010 Here Comes the Bride 2011 My Valentine Girls Segment: "Gunaw" Cooking Mo, Cooking Ko Short film The Howl & the Fussyket Joey Gosiengfiao's Temptation Island The Woman in the Septic Tank Creative Supervisor Shake, Rattle & Roll 13 "Segment: Rain, Rain, Go Away" 2012 Kimmy Dora and the Temple of Kiyeme I Do Bidoo Bidoo: Heto nAPO Sila! 2013 Instant Mommy Status: It's Complicated Kimmy Dora: Ang Kiyemeng Prequel Story and screenplay 2014 The Gifted Beauty in a Bottle Creative Producer 2015 You're Still the One 2016 Lumayo Ka Nga sa Akin Segment: "Asawa ni Marie" Working Beks Ang Babae sa Septic Tank 2: #ForeverIsNotEnough 2017 Extra Service Meant to Beh Story and screenplay 2019 Ang Babae sa Septic Tank 3: The Real Untold Story of Josephine Bracken 2023 Here Comes the Groom Standalone sequel 2024 Espantaho 2025 Kontrabida Academy
Television Year Title RoleNotes 2017 I Heart Davao Head writer 2018-2023 Daddy's Gurl Director and head writer Creator 2019 Mga Batang Poz Director Web Miniseries
Theater YearProductionVenueNotes2003Temptation Island...Live!Cultural Center of the Philippines2006Welcome to IntelstarAlso writer2010CAP Art Center 2015 Kung Paano Ako Naging Leading Lady PETA Theater Center
Works
Plays Last Order sa Penguin (2001) Welcome to Intelstar (2005) Laugh Trip: Dalawang Komedya (2006) Our Lady of Arlegui (2007)
Children's stories Ang Singsing-Pari sa Pisara (2014)
Accolades Films + Awards and Nominations Organization Year Nominated work Category Result Ref. Asian Film Awards 2012 Ang Babae sa Septic Tank Best Screenwriter Asia Pacific Screen Awards 2012 Busan International Film Festival 2008 100 New Currents Award Audience Award Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival 2008 100 Best Film Best Screenplay Best Director Audience Choice 2011 Ang Babae sa Septic Tank Best Screenplay - New Breed FAMAS Awards 2009 Caregiver Best Story Gawad Urian Awards 2004 Bridal Shower Best Screenplay (Pinakamahusay na Dulang Pampelikula) 2012 Ang Babae sa Septic Tank Gawad TANGLAW 2012 Best Screenplay Golden Screen Awards 2009 100 Best Original Screenplay Best Director 2011 Here Comes the Bride Best Story Best Original Screenplay Best Director 2012 Ang Babae sa Septic Tank Best Story Best Original Screenplay 2013 I Do Bidoo Bidoo: Heto nApo sila! Best Story Best Original Screenplay Best Director Luna Awards 2011 Caregiver Best Screenplay 2012 Ang Babae sa Septic Tank Marrakech International Film Festival 2008 100 Golden Star Metro Manila Film Festival 2011 Shake Rattle Roll 13 Best Director Best Original Story 2013 Kimmy Dora: Ang Kiyemeng Prequel Best Screenplay 2016 Ang Babae sa Septic Tank 2: #ForeverIsNotEnough 2024 Espantaho 2025 UnMarry Osaka Asian Film Festival 2013 I Do Bidoo Bidoo: Heto nApo sila! Grand Prix PMPC Star Awards for Movies 2009 100 Digital Movie Original Screenplay of the Year Caregiver Movie Original Screenplay of the Year 100 Digital Movie Director of the Year 2010 Kimmy Dora: Kambal sa Kiyeme Movie Original Screenplay of the Year 2011 Here Comes the Bride Movie Director of the Year 2012 Ang Babae sa Septic Tank Digital Movie Original Screenplay of the Year 2013 I Do Bidoo Bidoo: Heto nApo sila! Movie Screenwriter of the Year Movie Director of the Year 2015 The Gifted Movie Screenwriter of the Year Movie Director of the Year Summer Metro Manila Film Festival 2023 Here Comes the Groom Best Screenplay Best Director The EDDYS 2026 Kontrabida Academy Best Screenplay UnMarry Udine Far East Film Festival 2011 Here Comes the Bride Audience Award
Literary awards + Organization Year Work / Nominee Category Result Ref. Don Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature 2001 "Last Order sa Penguin" Dulang Ganap ang Haba (Full-Length Play) 2005 "Welcome to Intelstar" One-Act Play 2007 "Our Lady of Arlegui" Dulaang May Isang Yugto (One-Act Play) 2013 "Ang Singsing-Pari sa Pisara" Maikling Kwentong Pambata (Children's Short Story)
Honors and state recognition + Organization Year Nominee/Work Category Result Ref. Indie Bravo! Awards 2012 Ang Babae sa Septic Tank Scriptwriter
Notes
References [s.n.] (16 August 2014). Three stars and their 'gifts'. The Manila Times. Accessed November 2014.
Chris Martinez (2006). Laugh trip: dalawang komedya. Quezon City: Milflores Publishing, Inc. .
Sally Lee Loreto (2 September 2013). Carlos Palanca awardees announced. The Manila Times. Accessed November 2014.
Here comes the bride. WorldCat listing. Accessed November 2014.