Ricky Lee addresses criticism of more stars in upcoming scriptwriting workshop

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December 10, 2025 | 4:15pm

MANILA, Philippines — National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts Ricky Lee defended the selection process of his scriptwriting workshop after several notable personalities made the cut.

Lee unveiled the 60 individuals — out of over 2,600 applicants — who made Batches 30 and 31 of his free, in-person workshops. The National Artist has been holding his scriptwriting workshops for several decades now. 

Backed by the Film Academy of the Philippines, the workshops will take place on December 14 (for Batch 30) and May next year (for Batch 31).

Filipinos were quick to notice that the new batches included more established industry names than usual, including Cristine Reyes, Kylie Padilla, Rica Peralejo, Romnick Sarmenta, Karylle Tatlonghari, JC Santos, Chai Fonacier, and Kara David.

Other notable names were Dodo Dayao, Jerom Canlas, King Palisoc, Nour Hooshmand, Nigel Santos, and Phi Palmos.

Internet users questioned the selection process for the workshop, expressing discontent by arguing that some of the chosen celebrities might have taken the spots of other budding filmmakers.

Forming the selection committee for Batches 30 and 31 were Agot Isidro, Arvin Belarmino, Dan Villegas, Dustin Celestino, Dwein Baltazar, Giancarlo Abrahan, Guelan Luarca, Ice Idanan, Ma-an Asuncion-Dagnalan, Mac Alejandre, Petersen Vargas, and Sari Dalena.

Following the online criticism, Lee posted a statement on his social media accounts to defend the selection process.

Lee made it clear that the selection committee was informed of the guidelines to follow: Interested participants are given equal chances regardless if they were celebrities, skilled writers, or newcomers who are eager to write, and are deemed qualified after creatively answering a series of questions.

The decision to mix newcomers with those with filmmaking experience is not new, as previous selections dating back to Batch 15 also featured aspiring writers and known personalities. 

"Usually sa workshops ko ay malaki ang naitutulong ng mga datihan sa mga baguhan. Lahat ito, in the belief na mas inclusive ang ganitong sistema," Lee explained. "Dahil sa karanasan ko ay hindi maganda ang homogenous o pare-parehong baguhan o pare-pareho ng pinanggalingan ang mga nasa batch."

The National Artist stressed the selection process was long and thorough, and that all applicants went through the process.

"Kung workshop ito na may bayad ay mas madali siguro ang pamimili dahil ang maging batayan ay ang kakayanang magbayad," Lee said, pointing out some industry people and individuals with connections did not make the final cut.

He reiterated that because over 200 people qualified from more than 2,600 applicants, plans for Batch 32 have already begun, which will mostly comprise newcomers.

Those who will not make the new batch will be invited next year to a whole day session in a large venue or to a workshop online, should individuals find it difficult to travel to Manila. The latter is a similar set-up to Lee's Batch 24 to 29 workshops done online during the pandemic.

Lee said four decades of handling the workshops have proven the system to mix applicants works, "Sana ay nag-tiwala ang lahat na alam ko ang ginagawa ko at na masusi ko itong laging pinag-aaralan bawat hakbang nito."

"Alam ko kung paano makaramdam ng rejection dahil na-reject na rin ako nang maraming beses," Lee continued. "Kaya alam ko ang nararamdaman ng mga hindi natanggap. Kaya sinikap pa naming hangga't makakaya ay gumawa ng paraan para mag-accommodate ng as many as possible."

The veteran writer also pointed out that since 1982, a majority of workshop participants were people just starting out in film, and his continued helming of workshops serves as "paying it forward." Lee aims to help active filmmakers who have expressed that they have been wanting to learn from him.

Lee acknowledged the circulating criticism and discourse, and that his drive and enthusiasm to help others has not wavered.

"Kung kinakailangan, open naman akong makipag-dialogue dahil in the end, iisa lang naman ang hangarin nating lahat — ang makatulong sa iba at ang mapabuti ang ating industriya," Lee ended.

Lee is the celebrated screenwriter behind the films "Himala," "Moral," "Karnal," "Jose Rizal," "Anak," and "Muro-Ami," among dozens more. In 2022, he was conferred as a National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts.

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