José Clímaco (1902–1985) was a Filipino film director. Life and career As a budding composer and director, Clímaco spent part of the studying filmmaking in Hollywood by 1939. Upon his return to Manila, he became the manager of a radio station. He met his wife, Lilian Velez, when she won first place in a singing contest sponsored by his station. They were married in 1942 and they had one child named Vivian, born 1944. During the Second World War, Clímaco was briefly arrested by the Japanese and tortured in Fort Santiago.
Climaco joined Filippine Films & Philippine Pictures as a director after World War II. He directed his wife in her film debut, and in several films afterwards which she had starred in with her leading man, the former child actor Narding Anzures. Perhaps the most famous film he made with Velez was Ang Kabukiran, a film inspired by a song composed by his father-in-law and popularized by his wife.
In 1948, Velez was murdered by her co-star Anzures, an event that shocked Manila. Clímaco subsequently joined LVN Pictures as a director, shortly after his wife's death and resumed his filmmaking career. He directed films for LVN until the late 1950s. Among his other films for LVN included Parola, starring Jaime de la Rosa and Norma Blancaflor. Clímaco also indulged in cameo appearances in his own film. He later remarried and had additional children.
Filmography Year TitleRole Production company 1947Sa Kabukiran (In the Field)G.I. Fever 1949Parola Director LVN PicturesTambol Mayor Director LVN PicturesAng Kandidato (The Candidate) Director LVN PicturesBiglang Yaman (One Day Millionaire) Director LVN Pictures 1950Nagsaulian ng Kandila Director LVN Pictures 1951Nasaan ka, Giliw? (Love, Where are you?) Director LVN Pictures 1952Harana sa Karagatan (Ocean Serenade) Director LVN PicturesIsabelita Director LVN Pictures 1953Awit ng Pag-ibig (Song of Love) Director LVN PicturesDalawang Pag-ibig (Two Loves) Director LVN Pictures 1954Abarinding Director LVN Pictures 1955Palasyong Pawid (Wood Palace) Director LVN PicturesKarnabal (Carnival) Director LVN Pictures 1956Everlasting Director LVN Pictures 1957Nasaan ka Irog? (Where are you Dear?) Director LVN Pictures
In popular culture Climaco was portrayed by Joel Torre in crime biopic The Lilian Velez Story: Till Death Do Us Part (1995), starring Sharon Cuneta as Lilian Velez and Cesar Montano as Narding Anzures
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