José Clímaco

Who is José Clímaco?

José Clímaco was a Filipino film director.

As a budding composer and director, Climaco spent part of the 1930s studying filmmaking in Hollywood. Upon his return to Manila, he became the manager of a radio station. He met his wife, Lilian Velez, when she won first place in a singing contest sponsored by his station. They were married in 1942 and they had one child.

Climaco joined LVN Pictures as a director after the war. He directed his wife in her film debut, and in several films afterwards which she had starred in with her leading man, the former child actor Narding Anzures. Perhaps the most famous film he made with Velez was Ang Kabukiran, a film inspired by a song composed by his father-in-law and popularized by his wife.

In 1948, Velez was murdered by her co-star Anzures, an event that shocked Manila. Climaco remained with LVN Pictures and soon resumed his filmmaking career. He directed films for LVN until the late 1950s. Among his other films for LVN include Parola, starring Jaime de la Rosa and Norma Blancaflor. Climaco would also indulge in cameo appearances in his own films.