Zig Dulay

Zig Dulay
Born	Zig Madamba Dulay (1987-01-02) January 2, 1987 (age 38) Santiago, Isabela, Philippines
Alma mater	University of the Philippines Baguio (BA) University of the Philippines Diliman (MA)
Occupations	Film director screenwriter film editor producer cinematographer television director
Years active	2009–present
Notable work	Firefly (2023) Maria Clara at Ibarra (2022)
Awards	TOYM 2024

Zig Madamba Dulay (born January 2, 1987) is a Filipino independent filmmaker, TV director, producer, screen writer, film editor and cinematographer. He is known for directing and writing several acclaimed Indie films such as The Bit Player, Missing, Bambanti and Bagahe. Dulay has directed and written several television series for GMA Network, where he serves as one of the head-writers and resident director. He has gained nationwide recognition after directing a fantasy drama series Maria Clara at Ibarra and the award-winning movies Firefly and Green Bones.

Early life and education

Zig Madamba Dulay was born on January 2, 1987, in Santiago, Isabela, to a family of farmers. He is the 10th of 11 siblings. He pursued his higher education at the University of the Philippines Baguio, where he earned his degree in Communication Arts in Journalism. He later obtained his Master of Arts in Araling Pilipino from the University of the Philippines Diliman.[1][2]

Career

Early work (2011–2021)

Dulay began his career in the entertainment industry in 2009. In 2014, he worked as a co-director for the television series Sa Puso ni Dok.

Breakthrough in television (2022)

In 2022, at the age of 36, Zig Dulay achieved significant recognition when he became the director of the Philippine television historical drama portal fantasy series Maria Clara at Ibarra.[3]

Recent work and recognition (2023–present)

Following his success with Maria Clara at Ibarra, Dulay directed the award-winning film Firefly in 2023. In recognition of his contributions to Philippine cinema and television, he was named among The Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) 2024 in the Culture and Arts: TV and Film category.[4]

Filmography

Film

Year	Title	Credited as					Awards	Ref.
		Director	Writer	Editor	Producer	Cinematographer
2009	Sa Paglaya ng aking Salita	Yes	Yes	No	No	No
2010	Boy Toys	Yes	No	No	No	No	* Assistant director
2011	The Last Day in Baguio	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	* Nominated for NETPAC Award—7th Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival
	The Natural Phenomenon of Madness	No	No	No	No	Yes
2012	Qwerty	No	Yes	No	Yes	No	* Line Producer
	Posas	Yes	Yes	No	No	No	* Assistant director * Won for Best Feature Film—2012 Hanoi International Film Festival * Nominated for Best Screenplay —36th Gawad Urian Award	[5]
	Ag Ignorantiam	No	Yes	No	No	No
	Crossroads	No	Yes	No	No	No
	The Strangers	Yes	No	No	No	No	* Assistant Director
2013	The Bit Player	No	Yes	Yes	No	No	* Won for Best Screenplay-Director Showcase shared with Antoinette Jadaone and Jeffrey Jeturian—9th Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival * Nominated for Best Editing—2013 Gold Screen Awards * Nominated for Indie Movie Editor of the Year (shared with Glenn Ituriaga)—PMPC Star Awards for Movies * Nominated for Indie Movie Screen writer of the Year (shared with Antoinette Jadaone and Jeffrey Jeturian)—PMPC Star Awards for Movies * Nominated for Best Story and Best Screenplay (shared with Antoinette Jadaone and Jeffrey Jeturian)—2014 FAMAS Award * Nominated for Best Editing (shared with Glenn Ituriaga)—2014 FAMAS Award	[6]
	Missing	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	* Won for Best Short Film—37th Gawad Urian Award * Nominated for Best Short Film—10th Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival	[7]
	Philippino Story	Yes	Yes	No	No	No	* Assistant director
2014	Unfriend	No	Yes	No	No	No
	Senior	No	No	Yes	No	No
	The Commitment	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
	M: Mother's Maiden Name	Yes	Yes	No	No	No	* Won for Special Jury Prize—40th Metro Manila Film Festival * Nominated for Best Film—Bogota Film Festival	[8]
2015	Bambanti	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No	* Won for Best Film—Brussels International Festival of Films * Won for Best Hilal Feature Film—Ajay Youth Film Festival * Won for Indie Movie Director of the Year, Indie Movie Screen writer of the Year, Indie Movie Editor of the Year—2016 PMPC Star Awards for Movies * Won for Indie Movie Original Theme Song of the Year Tulog Na; lyrics by Zig Dulay, composed by Gian Gianan, interpreted by Alessandra de Rossi —2016 PMPC Star Awards for Movies * Nominated for Golden Montgolfiere—Three Continents Festival * Nominated for Best Director and Best Screen play—2016 Gawad Urian Award	[9]
2016	Paglipay	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	* Nominated for Best Picture—2017 Gawad Urian Award * Nominated for Best Diector—2017 Gawad Urian Award * Nominated for Best Screenplay and Best Editing—2017 Gawad Urian Award * Nominated for Indie Movie Director of the Year, Indie Movie Screen writer of the Year and Indie Movie Editor of the Year—33rd PMPC Star Awards for Movies	[10]
	T.P.O	No	No	No	Yes	No	* Co—Producer
2017	Bagahe	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	* Won for Best Film "Golden Cyclo Award"—2018 Vesoul Asian Film Festival * Won for "Gold Remi Award" in Crime and Drama—51st WorldFest-Houston International Film Festival * Won for Best International Fiction Feature Award—Asia's Independent Film Festival * Won for Jury Award—19th Asiatic Film Festival * Won for Critics Special Mention and People' Choice Award—Zagora International Trans-Sahara Film Festival * Nominated for Best Director—London International Film Festival * Nominated for Best Language Feature Film—London International Film Festival * Nominated for Best Film and Best Screen play—2017 Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival	[11]
	Neomanila	No	Yes	No	No	No	* Nominated for Best Screenplay (shared with Mikhail Red and Rae Red)—FAP Awards or Luna Awards	[12]
2018	Liway	No	Yes	No	No	No	* Won for Best Screenplay (shared with Kip Oebanda)—Luna Awards * Nominated for Indie Movie Screenwriter of the Year (shared with Kip Oebanda)—2019 PMPC Star Awards for Movies	[13]
2019	Ang Aking Korona	Yes	Yes	No	No	No	* Won for People's Choice Award—Sinag Maynila Film Festival * Nominated for Best Director, Best Screenplay and Best Picture—Sinag Maynila Film Festival
	Children of the River	No	No	Yes	No	No
2021	The Black Rainbow	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	No	* Won for Best Short Film—2023 PMPC Star Awards for Movies * Won for Best Director for Short Film—2023 PMPC Star Awards for Movies * Won for Best Short Film—2022 Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival * Won Best Screenplay "Balanghai Trophy"—2022 Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival * Won NETPAC Trophy"—2022 Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival	[14]
2022	The Baseball Player	No	No	Yes	No	No	* Won for Best Editing—2022 Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival * Nominated for Best Editing—2023 Gawad Urian Award * Nominated for Best Editing—Luna Awards * Nominated for Best Indie Movie Editor of the Year—PMPC Star Awards for Movies	[15]
2023	Firefly	Yes	No	No	No	No	* Won Best Director—2024 Manila International Film Festival * Won for Best Asian Feature Film/Telemovie Silver medal—2024 ContentAsia Awards * Won Best Director—Platinum Stallion National Media Awards * Nominated for Best Director—2023 Metro Manila Film Festival * Won Best Picture—2023 Metro Manila Film Festival * Nominated for Best Picture and Best Director—2024 Gawad Urian Awards< * Nominated for Best Picture and Best Director—7th EDDYS Awards	[16]
2023	Green Bones	Yes	No	No	No	No	* Nominated for Best Director—2024 Metro Manila Film Festival * Won Best Picture—2024 Metro Manila Film Festival * Nominated for Fernando Poe Jr. Memorial Award for Excellence—2024 Metro Manila Film Festival	[17]

Television

Year	Title	Role	Notes	Network	Ref.
2013-2018	Wagas	Screen writer		GMA Network
2014	Sa Puso ni Dok	Co-director
2014	Elemento	Screen writer
2015-2016	Dangwa	Director and screen writer
2016	Naku, Boss Ko!	Screen writer
2016	Conan, My Beautician	Head-writer
2015-2017	Karelasyon	Director and screen writer
2017	D' Originals	Assistant Director
2018	Sirkus	Director and head writer
2018	Inday Will Always Love You	Head-writer
2018-2019	Tadhana	Director and head writer
2019	Sahaya	Director
2020	I Can See You
2021	My Fantastic Pag-ibig
2021	Legal Wives
2021-2022	Stories from the Heart
2019-2022	Magpakailanman
2022-2023	Maria Clara at Ibarra		Won for Best TV Director of the Year—Gawad Dangal Filipino Awards 2022 Won Bronze for Entertainment Program: Best Drama—2023 New York Festivals TV & Film Awards Won for Teleserye and Green Zeal Award of Excellence—The 5th Gawad Lasallianeta Won for Best TV Series—7th GEMS Awards 2023 Won for Best Primetime Drama Series and Culturally Relevant TV Series—2023 Platinum Stallion National Media Awards Won for Most Development-Oriented Educational Program and Most Development-Oriented Drama Program (Special Citation)—17th UP ComBroadSoc Gandingan Awards Won for Best Drama Series—6th Golden Laurel: The Batangas Province Media Awards Won for Household Favorite Program—Anak TV Seal Awards 2023 Won for Best Drama Series—45th Catholic Mass Media Awards		[18][19]
2024	My Guardian Alien
2024-present	Widows' War				[20]

Awards and recognition

• The Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) 2024 – Culture and Arts: TV and Film category

International Awards

• Bagahe [21][22]
  • Won for Best Film " Gold Cyclo Award " - 2018 Vesoul International Film Festival in Vesoul, France
  • Won for " Gold Remi Award " in Crime and Drama - 51st WorldFest-Houston International Film Festival
  • Won for Best International Fiction Feature Award - 2018 Asia's Independent Film Festival in Bangalore, India
  • Won for Best Jury Award - 19th Asiatic Film Festival in Rome, Italy
  • Won for Special Critics Choice Award - 2018 Zagora International Trans-Sahara Film Festival in Morocco, Africa
  • Won People Choice Awards - 2018 Zagora International Trans-Sahara Film Festival in Morocco, Africa
  • Nominated for Best Language Feature Film - 2017 London International Film Festival in United Kingdom
  • Nominated for Best Foreign Director - 2017 London International Film Festival in United Kingdom
• Bambanti [23][24]
  • Won for Hilal Best Feature Film - 3rd Ajyal Youth Film Festival in Doha, Qatar
  • Won for Best Film - 2015 Brussels International Festival of Films in Brussels, Belgium
  • Nominated for Golden Montgolfiere - 2015 Nantes Three Continents Festivals in Nantes, France
• Firefly [25][26]
  • Won for Best Asian Feature Film/Telemovie Silver medal - 2024 ContentAsia Awards in Taipei, Taiwan
  • Won for Best Picture - 2024 Manila International Film Festival in California, United States
  • Won for Best Director - 2024 Manila International Film Festival in California, United States
• M: Mother's Maiden Name [27]
  • Nominated for Best Film - 2014 31st Bogota Film Festival in Columbia
• Maria Clara and Ibarra [28]
  • Winner for Entertainment Program: Drama Bronze medal - 2017 New York Festival TV and Film Awards

National Accolades and Recognition

• Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival
  • 2011 - Nominated for NETPAC Trophy Award
  • 2013 - Won for Best Screenplay for "The Bit Player" (shared with Antoinette Jadaone and Jeffrey Jeturian)
  • 2013 - Nominated for Best Short-film for "Missing"
  • 2017 - Nominated for Best Screenplay for "Bagahe"
  • 2021 - Won for Best Short Film for "The Black Rainbow"
  • 2021 - Won for NETPAC Trophy Award for "The Black Rainbow"
  • 2021 - Won for Best Screenplay Balanghai Trophy
  • 2022 - Won for Best Editing for "The Baseball Player"
• The EDDYS Awards
  • 2019 - Nominated for Best Screenplay for "Liway"
  • 2024 - Nominated for Best Picture for "Firefly"
  • 2024 - Nominated for Best Director for "Firefly"
• FAMAS Awards
  • 2014 - Nominated for Best Story and Best Screenplay for "The Bit Player" (shared with Antoinette Jadaone and Jeffrey Jeturian)
  • 2014 - Nominated for Best Editing for "The Bit Player" (shared with Glenn Ituriage)
• Gawad Urian Awards
  • 2012 - Nominated for Best Screenplay for "Posas"
  • 2013 - Won for Best Short-film for "Missing"
  • 2016 - Nominated for Director and Best Screenplay for "'Bambanti"
  • 2017 - Nominated for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Screenplay and Best Editing for "Paglipay"
  • 2022 - Nominated for Best Editing for "The Baseball Player"
  • 2024 - Nominated for Best Picture for "Firefly"
  • 2024 - Nominated for Best Director for "Firefly"
• Luna Awards by Film Academy of the Philippines
  • 2017 - Nominated for Best Screenplay for "Neomanila"
  • 2018 - Won for Best Screenplay for "Liway"
  • 2022 - Nominated for Best Editing for "The Baseball Player"
• Metro Manila Film Festival
  • 2014 - Won Special Jury Prize for "M: Mother's Maiden Name"
  • 2023 - Won Best Picture for "Firefly"
  • 2023 - Nominated for Best Director for "Firefly"
  • 2024 - Won for Best Picture for "Green Bones"
  • 2024 - Nominated for Best Director for "Green Bones"
  • 2024 - Nominated for Fernando Poe Jr. Memorial Award for Excellence
• Platinum Stallion National Media Awards
  • 2023 - Won for Best Director for "Firefly"
• PMPC Star Awards for Movies
  • 2013 - Nominated for Indie Movie Screenwriter for the "Bit Player" (shared with Antoinette Jadaone and Jeffrey Jeturian)
  • 2013 - Nominated for Best Editing for "The Bit Player" (shared with Glenn Ituriaga)
  • 2015 - Won for Indie Movie Director of the Year for "Bambanti"
  • 2015 - Won for Indie Movie Screenwriter and Indie Movie Editor for "Bambanti"
  • 2015 - Won for Indie Movie Bambanti Original Theme Song "Tulog na" (shared with Gian Gianan and Alessandra De Rossi)
  • 2016 - Nominated for Indie Movie Director of the Year, Indie Movie Screen writer and Indie Movie Editor for "Paglipay"
  • 2018 - Nominated for Indie Movie Sceen writer of the Year for "Liway"
  • 2021 - Won for Best Short-film for "The Black Rainbow"
  • 2021 - Won Best Director for "The Black Rainbow"
  • 2022 - Nominated for Best Indie Movie Editor of the Year for "The Baseball Player"
• Sinag Maynila Film Festival
  • 2019 - Won for People's Choice Award for "Ang Aking Korona"
  • 2019 - Nominated for Best Picture, Best Director and Best Screenplay for "Ang Aking Korona"
• ToFarm Film Festival
  • 2016 - Won for Best Picture for "Paglipagy"
  • 2016 - Won for Best Director for "Paglipay"

References

1. "Zig Dulay's Story".
2. Panos Kotzathanasis (2022). "Interview with Zig Dulay: I Was Afraid of Being Eaten by the TV System".
3. Jove Moya (March 10, 2023). "Meet Zig Dulay, the mind behind 'Maria Clara at Ibarra'".
4. Hermes Joy Tunac (December 16, 2024). "Kapuso director Zig Dulay among The Outstanding Young Men 2024 awardees". GMA Integrated News.
5. "36th Gawad Urian: Nominations". Rappler. 18 June 2013. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
6. "Cinemalaya 2013: List of winners". 4 August 2013. Retrieved 2013-08-04.
   • "30th PMPC Star Awards for Nominees". PEP. 14 February 2024. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
7. "FULL LIST: Winners at the 37th Gawad Urian Awards". Rappler. June 18, 2014. Retrieved July 30, 2014.
   • "Angeli Bayani beats Nora, Vilma at Gawad Urian". ABS-CBN Interactive. June 17, 2014. Retrieved July 30, 2014.
8. "Ph films competes in Colombia". Inquirer. 25 September 2014. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
   • San Diego Jr., Bayani (22 January 2015). "Indie Filmmaker's latest movie". Inquirer. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
9. "Zig Dulay's 'Bambanti' to be screened for free at Metropolitan Theater on October 20". GMA Network. October 16, 2024. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
   • "Pinoy films win top prizes in international film festivals". ABSCBN. 7 February 2018. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
   • "FULL LIST: Winners, PMPC Star Awards for Movies 2016". Rappler. 7 March 2016. Retrieved 29 April 2024.
10. Abanilla, Clarizel (18 July 2017). "PMPC names nominees for 33rd Star Awards for Movies". Inquirer. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
    • Villano, Alexa (27 July 2017). "LIST: Nominees, Gawad Urian 2017". Rappler. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
11. "'Bagahe' wins in France". Inquirer. 15 February 2018. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
    • "Cinemalaya's 'Respeto,' 'Bagahe' win in international festivals". Rappler. 19 October 2018. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
    • "4th Film Ambassadors' Night Puts the Spotlight on Pinoy Pride". FDCP. 19 February 2020. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
12. Nicolas, Jino (2018-09-27). "Larawan, Changing Partners, 7 Sundays are the top nominees in Saturday's Luna Awards". BusinessWorld Online. Retrieved 2022-04-28.
    • "36th Luna Awards: 'Ang Larawan' named best picture; Aga wins for 'Seven Sundays'". ABS-CBN News. September 29, 2018.
13. "Signal Rock, Liway get most Luna Awards nominations". Business World. 15 November 2019. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
    • "FULL LIST: Winners, PMPC Star Awards for Movies 2019". Rappler. 3 June 2019. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
14. Laroisa, Saab (15 August 2022). "Here are the big winners and heavy-hitters of Cinemalaya 2022". Philippine Star. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
    • Geli, Bianca (18 July 2023). "Christian Bautista, Director Zig Dulay win at 38th PMPC Star Awards for Movies". GMA Network. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
    • Severo, Jan Milo (18 July 2023). "LIST: Star Awards 2023 winners". Philippine Star. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
15. "The Baseball Player,' 'Blue Room' win big in Cinemalaya 2022". GMA Network. 14 August 2022. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
    • "Here's the list of Gawad Urian nominees for 2023". GMA Network. 3 November 2023. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
16. "Firefly' wins big at Manila International Film Festival 2024". GMA Network. 3 February 2024. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
    • "'Gomburza' wins big, 'Firefly' bags Best Picture at 49th MMFF". PNA. 28 December 2023. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
    • "GMA Network wins top honors at ContentAsia Awards 2024". GMA Network. 13 September 2024. Retrieved 13 January 2025.
17. Pagulong, Charmie Joy (29 December 2024). "Green Bones scores big win at 50th MMFF". Philippine Star. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
18. "GMA Network leads PH contingent to 2023 New York Festivals TV & Film Awards". Manila Standard. 21 March 2023. Retrieved 5 January 2025.
19. "GMA Network programs, Kapuso personalities win Anak TV Seal Awards". GMA Network. 5 December 2023. Retrieved 5 January 2025.
20. Donato, Jerry (3 July 2024). "Why Zig Dulay hesitated before accepting 'Widows' War'". PhilStar. Retrieved 7 January 2025.
21. "Film about Filipino maid wins at film festival in India". Asia Times. 5 July 2018. Retrieved 13 January 2025.
22. San Diego Jr., Bayani (19 January 2018). "Three PH films go to India, Europe". Inquirer. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
    • "4th Film Ambassadors' Night Puts the Spotlight on Pinoy Pride". FDCP. 19 February 2020. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
    • "Bagahe Wins Top Prize in the Vesoul International Film Festival of Asian Cinema". Cinemalaya. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
    • "2 PH films win in Houston fest". Inquirer. 5 May 2018. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
23. "Australian movie, Papers, Scarecrow or "Bambanti from Philippines and Walls from Spain tops honors at Ajyal". Doha Film Institute. 5 December 2015. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
    • Caparas, Celso De Guzman (23 November 2015). "Bambanti wins awards in Belgium, India". Philippine Star. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
24. Tabares, Nazamel (14 July 2021). "Critically-acclaimed film 'Bambanti' to stream on Netflix". Pelikulamania. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
25. "Firefly, Gomburza are the big winners at 2024 MIFF Awards". Business World. 6 February 2024. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
26. "GMA Network wins top honors at ContentAsia Awards 2024". GMA Network. 13 September 2024. Retrieved 13 January 2025.
27. "PH film competes in Colombia". Inquirer. 25 September 2014. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
28. "GMA Network leads PH contingent to 2023 New York Festivals TV & Film Awards". Manila Standard. 21 March 2023. Retrieved 12 January 2025.