MANILA -- National Artist for Film Ishmael Bernal was honored in a funeral vigil in Quezon City on Friday night.

Dubbed as the "genius of Philippine cinema," Bernal was behind hits such as "Nunal sa Tubig," "Himala," and "Broken Marriage," among others.

The filmmaker was known for mirroring truth in society through his works, establishing his name in the film industry.

On June 2, 1996, Bernal died due to a heart attack. Shortly years after, he was conferred the National Artist Award.

Award-winning director Joel Lamangan shared heartfelt memories during the funeral vigil, reminiscing about how Bernal's mentorship inspired him to pursue a career in directing, a decision that impacted his artistic journey.

"Sabi nya 'Joel halika, ikaw ba talaga gusto mo maging direktor?' Eh di ko gusto maging direktor ng pelikula, theater lang ako nun. Sabi ko baka sakali. Sabi nya 'Hindi, maging director ka ng pelikula. 'Yan ang pinaka potent na ang direktor ng pelikula dahil nakikita ng buong bayan ang ginagawa mo ang theater dun lang sa Raja Soliman," Lamangan said.

Lamangan recalled that Bernal had urged him to become a catalyst for change by creating films that depict the realities of life.

"Dapat ang sasabihin mo yung totoo, batay sa totoo, batay sa nangyayari. Sa totoong buhay yun ang ginagawa mo. At ikaw ay isang story teller, sabi nya sakin, dahil gumagawa ka ng kwento batay sa nakikita mo at batay sa naranasan mo," he said.

"Pero kailangan malinaw ang punto de vista mo. Kaninong interest ang dinadala ng kwento mo. Sa interes ba ng konti lang o sa interest ng marmai? Kasi ibat iba ang kwento dapat ikaw ang direktor ang gagawin mo ay istoryang nagrereflect ng katoothanan ng marami. Di yung katotohanan ng konti lang," he added.

Also present at the vigil was the multi-awarded filmmaker and historian Nick Deocampo who recalled one of his best memories of Bernal.

"Ito ay mga alaala nung kami ay nagkikita ni Ishmael Bernal. Di ko makalimutan yung gabing inimbita nya kami sa cafe dun sa may dulo ng Maginoo Street sa UP Teacher's Village," he said.

"Ang mahalaga doon dahil pagkatapos ko magsalita, sabi ko mama Ishma uwi na ako, hindi ko inakala na sasamahan nya ako pababa, akala ko hanggang dun lang. Sa second floor kasi yung cafe. So pagbaba sa ilalim di lang yun, sinamahan nya pa ko sa haba ng Maginoo Street and it's quite a long street sa Teacher's Village," he added.

Deocampo said this was also his last memory of Bernal, "magmula nun di na kami nagkita."

"Nagulat ako pag-uwi ko galing Beijing pagsakay ko sa eroplano papuntang Maynila na, ang tumambad sakin yung front page news ay wala na si mama Ishma. I had a quiet scream sa loob ng eroplano because that was so unexpected. Kinimkim ko na lang yun hanggang makarating ng Maynila at dali-daling pumunta sa Cine Adarna kung saan nakalagay si mama Ishma," he said.