Marilou Diaz-Abaya, 57

Multi-awarded film director Marilou Diaz-Abaya passed away on October 8, 2012 at the age of 57. Her critically-acclaimed films include Jose Rizal, Ikaw ang Pag-ibig, Muro-Ami, Bagong Buwan, Sa Pusod ng Dagat, and Milagros.

Diaz-Abaya's directorial career spanned more than three decades, starting with the 1980 film Tanikala. In the succeeding decade, she started to earn accolades as one of the country's best directors with films such as Brutal, Moral, Karnal, and Baby Tsina.

Aside from being a film instructor at the Ateneo de Manila University, she was also the Founder and Director of Studies at the Marilou Diaz-Abaya Film Institute and Arts Center in Antipolo City. Diaz-Abaya also ventured into television with her directorial stint in the news satire program Sic O'Clock News and public affairs talk show Public Forum.

Diaz-Abaya was survived by her cinematographer husband Manolo and their sons: singer-actor Marc and cinematographer David.

SOURCE: Web site of  the Marilou Diaz-Abaya Film Institute and Arts Center