Ricky Lee tells aspiring writers: 'Dapat malikot ang imahinasyon mo'

Ricky Lee has countless contributions to Philippine cinema and entertainment. There are his more than 200 scripts, a couple of books to his name, plus conducting workshops, just to name a few.

In an Unang Hirit episode that aired Monday, the National Artist for Film and Broadcast shared some nuggets of wisdom from dedicating more than 50 years of his to writing.

The GMA creative consultant admitted that failures, rejections, and doubts remain his greatest challenges, advising aspiring writings to not to be disheartened by these tests.

“Pag nakita mo na yung resulta at pinuri na ng iba, maski na ang daming hirap at rejections, okay na siya,” Lee told Unang Hirit, adding that surpassing all these challenges are all “worth it” in the end.

If there is one advice Lee could impart to aspiring writers, it’s to keep their imaginations as wild as possible.

“Dapat malikot ang imahinasyon mo. Kung sampo kayong taong nakatingin sa isang bagay o isang pangyayari, ikaw malikot ‘yung imahinasyon mo. May iba ka pang nakikita sa likod nung nakikita ng ibang nangyari at sa likod ng taong nasa hirap [mo],” Lee advised.

He also added that writers should be open with their emotions, saying that all of us can tell stories as long as we don’t suppress our feelings.

“Open ka na di mo dine-deny ang emosyon mo. Kung na heartbroken ka, damdamin mo,” the National Artist expounded.

It's one of the things he told Howie Severino, when Lee guested on the journalist's podcast last year. 

"Pag may negative event sa buhay, hindi ko siya ide-deny. Titingnan ko. Ano bang pagka-nega nito? Ano bang pain dito? And then, paano ko siya matu-turn around para mas makita ko kung kabilang side? Dalawahan lagi ang lahat ng bagay. Walang good lang, walang bad lang. Laging may good and bad," Lee said back then. 

It’s been a long time coming, but being named National Artist makes Lee’s heart flutters with joy, especially since he was recognized alongside two of his most beloved collaborators in the industry: actor Nora Aunor and director Marilou Diaz-Abaya.

The order of National Artist, established under Proclamation No. 1001, signed in 1972, is the highest national recognition of Filipinos who have made distinct contributions to the Philippine arts and culture’s development.

Congratulations, Ricky Lee, and to all our new National Artists! — Hermes Joy Tunac/LA, GMA News