Ishmael Bernal (September 30, 1938 – June 2, 1996) was a Filipinofilm director. He was known for his films that express social injustices and reflect on the struggles of ordinary Filipinos. In the 1970s, he was recognized as the Director of the Decade by the Catholic Mass Media Awards. In 2001, he was awarded National Artist for Cinema in the Philippines.[1]
Himala (1982) - means "miracle", tells a story of a young girl Elsa who reveals her connection to the Virgin Mary.[1][2]
Nunal sa Tubig (1976) - written by Jorge Arago and directed by Bernal, tells about a love triangle between Maria, Chedeng, and Benjamin in a village at Laguna de Bay.[1][3]