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trip to Quiapo: Scriptwriting Manual
Sa trip to Quiapo ay ibinabahagi ni Ricky lahat ng kanyang natutunan sa loob ng maraming taong pagsusulat ng script sa pelikula sa TV, pagtuturo ng scriptwriting sa UP at Ateneo, at pagku-conduct ng libreng scriptwriting workshops mula pa noong 1982. Karamihan sa mga kilalang pangalan ngayon sa pelikula at sa TV ay nagsimula sa kanyang mga workshop.
Step-by-step na ipinakikita sa librong ito ang pagsulat ng script, pormula man o alternatibo, mula concept hanggang final draft. Naririto rin ang iba't ibang payo at insight ng mahigit 60 scriptwriter, director at producer na ininterbyu para sa librong ito. Gayundin ang mga cartoon, komiks at illustration na ginawa nina Jess Abrera, Romy Buen, Beth Chionglo, Vincent Kua Jr., Topel Lee Roxlee, Nonoy Marcelo at Ely Buendia ng Eraserheads.
Meron ding excerpts mula sa 18 product scripts, writing excercises, biography ng anim na screenplays, guide para sa evaluation ng scripts, anecdotes, tips sa pagsusulat at mahigit sandaang movie stills.
Step-by-step na ipinakikita sa librong ito ang pagsulat ng script, pormula man o alternatibo, mula concept hanggang final draft. Naririto rin ang iba't ibang payo at insight ng mahigit 60 scriptwriter, director at producer na ininterbyu para sa librong ito. Gayundin ang mga cartoon, komiks at illustration na ginawa nina Jess Abrera, Romy Buen, Beth Chionglo, Vincent Kua Jr., Topel Lee Roxlee, Nonoy Marcelo at Ely Buendia ng Eraserheads.
Meron ding excerpts mula sa 18 product scripts, writing excercises, biography ng anim na screenplays, guide para sa evaluation ng scripts, anecdotes, tips sa pagsusulat at mahigit sandaang movie stills.
234 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 1998
123 people are currently reading
1451 people want to read
About the author
Ricky Lee
48 books624 followersFilipino screenwriter, journalist, novelist, and playwright.
He has written more than 150 film screenplays since 1973, earning him more than 50 trophies from various award-giving bodies, including a 2003 Natatanging Gawad Urian Lifetime Achievement Award from the Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino (Filipino Film Critics). As a screenwriter, he has worked with many Filipino film directors, most notably with Lino Brocka and Ishmael Bernal. Many of his films have been screened in the international film festival circuit in Cannes, Toronto, Berlin, among others.
He has written more than 150 film screenplays since 1973, earning him more than 50 trophies from various award-giving bodies, including a 2003 Natatanging Gawad Urian Lifetime Achievement Award from the Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino (Filipino Film Critics). As a screenwriter, he has worked with many Filipino film directors, most notably with Lino Brocka and Ishmael Bernal. Many of his films have been screened in the international film festival circuit in Cannes, Toronto, Berlin, among others.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
January 26, 2012
Quiapo is a district in the City of Manila, the capital of the Philippines. When I was a young fresh high school graduate and about to go to the city to enter college, my father told me that if I lost my way, I only have to look for the jeepney that has “Quiapo” on its side. He explained that all jeepneys in the city pass through Quiapo, being the center of the city. That was in the early 80’s when Manila was just a city and not yet a metro.
Trip to Quiapo is a scriptwriting manual. The author, the most prolific (in my opinion) writer in Philippine showbiz industry, Ricky Lee used this title as an analogy for three kinds of writers with Quiapo as the metaphor for a good story. He explained that there are 3 types of writers: First, those writers who use the known route and go straight to Quiapo. Second, those who do not take the known route, i.e., use other roads, and probably pass by other districts, but still end up in Quiapo. Then, he saved the best for last, third, are those who don’t get to arrive in Quiapo and end up in another place but can make us believe that the place is Quiapo. That ability to make audience believe is a mark of a good scriptwriter.
Very informative book. I do not have any plan of writing a movie script but I really enjoyed reading Lee’s references to the Tagalog movies I grew up watching in the 80’s and 90’s when I was still a young man. I was a movie addict when I was in college and even when I was already working in my first few companies. I only stopped seeing many movies (once or twice a week?) when I became a father since there was already Cinema One, that shows old Tagalog movies for free in the cable TV. Why pay to see the new movie at the theatre if you can wait for a couple of years, right?
Marami akong napulot dito. Yong connection-disconnection. Yong plot-driven vs character-driven. Yong mga uri ng kuwento: ultra-realistic, realistic, expressionistic at surreal. What if? Giving off at giving away. Sentence outline. Foreground and background. Sequence outline. Slug line. Three-act structure.
Marami rin akong alam na dahil nag-attend ako last year ng isang writing workshop. Meron din naman parang di ako naga-agree. Kungsabay, sabi ni Lee, may exceptions lagi sa rules, yong mga “ows” ni Hulyong Manunulat. Meron din parang OA. Basically, may mga OA at repetitive ang narration ni Lee para sa akin gaya ng ibang pelikula nya. O baka dapat, kung merong librong “How to Read Novels Like a Professor,” meron din dapat na “How to Watch Movies (or Tagalog Movies) like a Scriptwriter.” Bakit? Kasi sa scripts ni Lee, may ibig sabihin pala yong kagaya ng malaking bag ni Rosanna Roces sa “Curacha” na naglalaman ng maraming bagay sa buhay nya na naglalarawan ng simpleng buhay ng isang puta. Pareho rin pala ito ng see-through na bag ni Lorna Tolentino sa “Moral” na sumisimbolo sa kanyang transparent na buhay o prangkang pagkatao. Doon ko lang na-realize ang mga yon. Noong pinapanood ko sila nakatingin ako sa seksing katawan ni Rosanna Roces o sa nunal sa bibig ng batang Lorna Tolentino. Parang masarap halikan. Anong pakialam ko sa kanilang mga bags.
Forty-seven na ako. Marami akong napanood ng mga Tagalog movies. Maraming nagustuhan pero ang Top 10 ko, marami ang kay Ricky Lee:
Bukod sa 1, 4, 6 at 10 , lahat yata yan may kinalaman si Ricky Lee. Maganda rin sana ang Himala kung let’s say si Anne “My Other Woman” Curtis or Angelica “Santa-Santita” Panganiban ang bida. Sorry, Ate Guy!
Seriously, I am a Ricky Lee’s fan when it comes to movies.
Trip to Quiapo is a scriptwriting manual. The author, the most prolific (in my opinion) writer in Philippine showbiz industry, Ricky Lee used this title as an analogy for three kinds of writers with Quiapo as the metaphor for a good story. He explained that there are 3 types of writers: First, those writers who use the known route and go straight to Quiapo. Second, those who do not take the known route, i.e., use other roads, and probably pass by other districts, but still end up in Quiapo. Then, he saved the best for last, third, are those who don’t get to arrive in Quiapo and end up in another place but can make us believe that the place is Quiapo. That ability to make audience believe is a mark of a good scriptwriter.
Very informative book. I do not have any plan of writing a movie script but I really enjoyed reading Lee’s references to the Tagalog movies I grew up watching in the 80’s and 90’s when I was still a young man. I was a movie addict when I was in college and even when I was already working in my first few companies. I only stopped seeing many movies (once or twice a week?) when I became a father since there was already Cinema One, that shows old Tagalog movies for free in the cable TV. Why pay to see the new movie at the theatre if you can wait for a couple of years, right?
Marami akong napulot dito. Yong connection-disconnection. Yong plot-driven vs character-driven. Yong mga uri ng kuwento: ultra-realistic, realistic, expressionistic at surreal. What if? Giving off at giving away. Sentence outline. Foreground and background. Sequence outline. Slug line. Three-act structure.
Marami rin akong alam na dahil nag-attend ako last year ng isang writing workshop. Meron din naman parang di ako naga-agree. Kungsabay, sabi ni Lee, may exceptions lagi sa rules, yong mga “ows” ni Hulyong Manunulat. Meron din parang OA. Basically, may mga OA at repetitive ang narration ni Lee para sa akin gaya ng ibang pelikula nya. O baka dapat, kung merong librong “How to Read Novels Like a Professor,” meron din dapat na “How to Watch Movies (or Tagalog Movies) like a Scriptwriter.” Bakit? Kasi sa scripts ni Lee, may ibig sabihin pala yong kagaya ng malaking bag ni Rosanna Roces sa “Curacha” na naglalaman ng maraming bagay sa buhay nya na naglalarawan ng simpleng buhay ng isang puta. Pareho rin pala ito ng see-through na bag ni Lorna Tolentino sa “Moral” na sumisimbolo sa kanyang transparent na buhay o prangkang pagkatao. Doon ko lang na-realize ang mga yon. Noong pinapanood ko sila nakatingin ako sa seksing katawan ni Rosanna Roces o sa nunal sa bibig ng batang Lorna Tolentino. Parang masarap halikan. Anong pakialam ko sa kanilang mga bags.
Forty-seven na ako. Marami akong napanood ng mga Tagalog movies. Maraming nagustuhan pero ang Top 10 ko, marami ang kay Ricky Lee:
1. Oro, Plata, Mata (dahil kay Mitch Valdez)
2. Maynila: Sa Kuko ng Liwanag (dahil kay Hilda Koronel)
3. Manila By Night/City After Dark (dahil kay Alma Moreno)
4. Nunal sa Tubig (dahil kay Elizabeth “La Oro” Oropesa)
5. Salome (dahil kay Gina Alajar)
6. Tag-ulan sa Tag-araw (dahil kay Vilma Santos)
7. Nang Bumukaka ang Sampaguita (dahil kay Amy Austria)
8. Haplos (dahil kay Rio Locsin)
9. Insiang (dahil kay Hilda ulit)
10. Kimi Dora (dahil... nakakatawa!)
Bukod sa 1, 4, 6 at 10 , lahat yata yan may kinalaman si Ricky Lee. Maganda rin sana ang Himala kung let’s say si Anne “My Other Woman” Curtis or Angelica “Santa-Santita” Panganiban ang bida. Sorry, Ate Guy!
Seriously, I am a Ricky Lee’s fan when it comes to movies.
November 6, 2015
"Hindi ka tuturuan ng librong ito kung paano magsulat. Buhay ang gagawa n'on" - Ricky Lee
Sana maraming bumasa ng Trip to Quiapo, kahit walang balak maging scriptwriter o manunulat. Magkahalong manual ng screenwriting at collection ng iba't ibang anekdota at materyales na konekatdo sa Philippine Cinema, bumuo si Ricky Lee ng isang sincere at kahanga-hangang larawan ng industriyang pinaglaanan niya ng buhay sa mahigit tatlumpung taon.
Importante ang librong ito hindi lamang para sa mga cinephile kundi para sa mga naghahangad ng isang oral history tungkol sa Pinoy Cinema. Marami akong nakuhang insight tungkol sa paggawa ng kwento, at malamang ay babalikan ko uli ang librong ito kung sakaling magbabalak akong magsulat uli ng fiction.
Gamit niya ang pagpunta sa Quiapo bilang simbolismo ng iba't ibang paraan sa pagbuo ng script--madalas na masalimuot at puno ng magkahalong saya at sakit. Isa-isa niyang pinaliwanag ang mga elementong bumubuo sa pelikula, tulad ng story line, sequence treatment at 3-act structure at kung paanong ang pagsunod o pagsuway sa mga kumbensyon nito ay nakatali sa magiging pagtanggap ng audience. Nagsama rin sya ng mga sample ng script mula sa mga pelikulang nagawa na upang ipakita kung paano na-translate ang kwento mula sa pahina.
Malawak ang nararating na impluwensya ni Lee. Nakatrabaho na niya ang ilan sa pinaka-importanteng direktor ng kanyang panahon (Bernal, Brocka, Diaz-Abaya, at marami pang iba) at patuloy pa rin syang sumusulat para sa cinema at TV. Nagawa niyang mag-likom ng napakaraming ng mga interbyu at sanaysay mula sa iba't ibang direktor, producer, at scriptwriter, na para bang who's who ng industriya. Isang pagsilip na hindi nabibigay kung kani-kanino lamang. Makikita din ang kanyang partisipasyon sa paghubog ng bagong henerasyon ng mga scriptwriter, sa pamamagitan ng kanyang mga workshop at lecture. Ang mga estudyante ni Lee ay nagiging mga haligi sa entertainment industry.
Ang tunay na yamang makikita sa librong ito ay hindi nagmumula sa kanyang instructions tungkol sa structure ng isang script. Maraming librong gumagawa nito nang mas malaliman at mas detalyado, ngunit namumukod-tangi si Ricky Lee sa pagbibigay ng tunay na estado ng industriya ng pelikulang Filipino. Hindi strikto at standardized ang moviemaking sa Pinas, madalas nahahatak ang scriptwriter sa iba't ibang direksyon. May isang nakakatawang anecodte si Lee tungkol kay Mother Lily (producer ng Regal Films) at ang kanyang pagiiba-iba ng isip tungkol sa isang project.
Hindi rin sya natatakot pag-usapan ang mga mapapait na naging karanasan niya at ng ibang mga manunulat. Walang pagkakaiba ang ngayon at nakalipas na industrya--mahirap paring maging scriptwriter sa Pilipinas. Marami kang iiyakan, at hindi mo masisigurado na ibibigay ang nararapat na iyo. Kung iisipin hindi lang paghihikayat ang binibigay ni Ricky Lee. Warning din ito. Writing for the screen is not for the faint of spirit.
Sana maraming bumasa ng Trip to Quiapo, kahit walang balak maging scriptwriter o manunulat. Magkahalong manual ng screenwriting at collection ng iba't ibang anekdota at materyales na konekatdo sa Philippine Cinema, bumuo si Ricky Lee ng isang sincere at kahanga-hangang larawan ng industriyang pinaglaanan niya ng buhay sa mahigit tatlumpung taon.
Importante ang librong ito hindi lamang para sa mga cinephile kundi para sa mga naghahangad ng isang oral history tungkol sa Pinoy Cinema. Marami akong nakuhang insight tungkol sa paggawa ng kwento, at malamang ay babalikan ko uli ang librong ito kung sakaling magbabalak akong magsulat uli ng fiction.
Gamit niya ang pagpunta sa Quiapo bilang simbolismo ng iba't ibang paraan sa pagbuo ng script--madalas na masalimuot at puno ng magkahalong saya at sakit. Isa-isa niyang pinaliwanag ang mga elementong bumubuo sa pelikula, tulad ng story line, sequence treatment at 3-act structure at kung paanong ang pagsunod o pagsuway sa mga kumbensyon nito ay nakatali sa magiging pagtanggap ng audience. Nagsama rin sya ng mga sample ng script mula sa mga pelikulang nagawa na upang ipakita kung paano na-translate ang kwento mula sa pahina.
Malawak ang nararating na impluwensya ni Lee. Nakatrabaho na niya ang ilan sa pinaka-importanteng direktor ng kanyang panahon (Bernal, Brocka, Diaz-Abaya, at marami pang iba) at patuloy pa rin syang sumusulat para sa cinema at TV. Nagawa niyang mag-likom ng napakaraming ng mga interbyu at sanaysay mula sa iba't ibang direktor, producer, at scriptwriter, na para bang who's who ng industriya. Isang pagsilip na hindi nabibigay kung kani-kanino lamang. Makikita din ang kanyang partisipasyon sa paghubog ng bagong henerasyon ng mga scriptwriter, sa pamamagitan ng kanyang mga workshop at lecture. Ang mga estudyante ni Lee ay nagiging mga haligi sa entertainment industry.
Ang tunay na yamang makikita sa librong ito ay hindi nagmumula sa kanyang instructions tungkol sa structure ng isang script. Maraming librong gumagawa nito nang mas malaliman at mas detalyado, ngunit namumukod-tangi si Ricky Lee sa pagbibigay ng tunay na estado ng industriya ng pelikulang Filipino. Hindi strikto at standardized ang moviemaking sa Pinas, madalas nahahatak ang scriptwriter sa iba't ibang direksyon. May isang nakakatawang anecodte si Lee tungkol kay Mother Lily (producer ng Regal Films) at ang kanyang pagiiba-iba ng isip tungkol sa isang project.
Hindi rin sya natatakot pag-usapan ang mga mapapait na naging karanasan niya at ng ibang mga manunulat. Walang pagkakaiba ang ngayon at nakalipas na industrya--mahirap paring maging scriptwriter sa Pilipinas. Marami kang iiyakan, at hindi mo masisigurado na ibibigay ang nararapat na iyo. Kung iisipin hindi lang paghihikayat ang binibigay ni Ricky Lee. Warning din ito. Writing for the screen is not for the faint of spirit.
October 31, 2013
SIKSIK-LIGLIG at UMAAPAW!
Ang aklat na ito ay punong-puno ng kaalaman, diskarte, teknik at pormula na si Ricky Lee lamang ang makapaglalatag. Hinango mula sa kanyang mayamang karanasan sa pagsusulat sa tv, sa pelikula at maging sa kanyang pagtuturo ang lahat ng nakalahok dito.
Hindi ko malilimutan ang simula ng aklat na ito na parang nagsasabi o nagtatapat nang dapat mong mabatid pero ang nakamamangha lalagpasan nito ang iyong inaakala at dadalhin ka pa sa mga hangganan na maaaring hindi mo pa narating at nabatid.
“Hindi ka tuturuan ng librong ito kung paano magsulat. Buhay ang gagawa n’on.”
Isa pa;
“Hindi rin ibibgay ng librong ito lahat ng sagot. Kagaya sa tunay na buhay, walang iisang pormula sa pagsusulat. Ikaw ang maghahanap ng sagot”
Magaling na inuri sa librong ito ang tatlong klase ng mga manunulat. Ang mga manunulat bilang viajero patungong Quiapo at ang Obra ng manunulat na sinisimbolo ng Quiapo.
Basta hindi ko na ilalahad rito ang detalye, ikaw nang bahalang tumuklas.
Gusto ko rin banggitin dito ang napakamalikhain na mga topic, ang mahaba-habang biyahe patungong Quiapo o depende sa’yo kung tutuklas o gagawa ka ng bagong daan. Nariyan ang:
Ang Konsepto ng Meron at Wala, Ang Mundo ng Pelikula, Ang What If, Pagbubuntis at Pagiging Creative o malikhain at tumutuloy ito patungo sa Pagsusulat ng Storyline, ng Stucture maging Kombensyonal o Alternatibo man ito, Milieu, Eksena, Dialogue, Creative Tension, Pagsususlat ng Screenplay at hanggang sa makarating ka sa iyong pupuntahan, sa Quiapo at Iba pa!
Sobrang lawak ng sakop nito at hindi ito naka-kahon sa iisang kombensyon o pormula.
At marami pang iba na talagang sa kanyang mga pagkukuwento, magbubukas ang unawa. Magbubukas ng mga pintuan at bintana para sa lahat ng mga nagnanais na maging manunulat.
Ang obrang ito’y nagpapayaman sa mundo ng ating Panitikan, Sining at Pelikula.
Tara na! Quiapo! Quiapo! Quiapo!
Ang aklat na ito ay punong-puno ng kaalaman, diskarte, teknik at pormula na si Ricky Lee lamang ang makapaglalatag. Hinango mula sa kanyang mayamang karanasan sa pagsusulat sa tv, sa pelikula at maging sa kanyang pagtuturo ang lahat ng nakalahok dito.
Hindi ko malilimutan ang simula ng aklat na ito na parang nagsasabi o nagtatapat nang dapat mong mabatid pero ang nakamamangha lalagpasan nito ang iyong inaakala at dadalhin ka pa sa mga hangganan na maaaring hindi mo pa narating at nabatid.
“Hindi ka tuturuan ng librong ito kung paano magsulat. Buhay ang gagawa n’on.”
Isa pa;
“Hindi rin ibibgay ng librong ito lahat ng sagot. Kagaya sa tunay na buhay, walang iisang pormula sa pagsusulat. Ikaw ang maghahanap ng sagot”
Magaling na inuri sa librong ito ang tatlong klase ng mga manunulat. Ang mga manunulat bilang viajero patungong Quiapo at ang Obra ng manunulat na sinisimbolo ng Quiapo.
Basta hindi ko na ilalahad rito ang detalye, ikaw nang bahalang tumuklas.
Gusto ko rin banggitin dito ang napakamalikhain na mga topic, ang mahaba-habang biyahe patungong Quiapo o depende sa’yo kung tutuklas o gagawa ka ng bagong daan. Nariyan ang:
Ang Konsepto ng Meron at Wala, Ang Mundo ng Pelikula, Ang What If, Pagbubuntis at Pagiging Creative o malikhain at tumutuloy ito patungo sa Pagsusulat ng Storyline, ng Stucture maging Kombensyonal o Alternatibo man ito, Milieu, Eksena, Dialogue, Creative Tension, Pagsususlat ng Screenplay at hanggang sa makarating ka sa iyong pupuntahan, sa Quiapo at Iba pa!
Sobrang lawak ng sakop nito at hindi ito naka-kahon sa iisang kombensyon o pormula.
At marami pang iba na talagang sa kanyang mga pagkukuwento, magbubukas ang unawa. Magbubukas ng mga pintuan at bintana para sa lahat ng mga nagnanais na maging manunulat.
Ang obrang ito’y nagpapayaman sa mundo ng ating Panitikan, Sining at Pelikula.
Tara na! Quiapo! Quiapo! Quiapo!
May 9, 2011
this book struck me when it was first showed to us by our Filipino Professor in the seminary... i love the way ricky lee wrote the book from its introduction unto its very last pages... truly, i got the idea of uniqueness... all of us possesses the way on how to do something or to go somewhere, just like Quiapo, on our own unique way. let's break the monotony and flicker the light of a challenging and exciting master piece.
April 22, 2025
"Hindi ka tuturuan ng librong ito kung paano magsulat. Buhay ang gagawa n'on" - Ricky Lee
I love how I learn a lot of life lessons from Ricky Lee books. 🩷
I love how I learn a lot of life lessons from Ricky Lee books. 🩷
August 9, 2007
ang hindi matapos-tapos na pagbabasa ng "A Trip to Quiapo" - kasi di ko magawa-gawa ang mga workshop. Very informative and useful for the aspiring scriptwriter.
April 28, 2010
This book really help for the those who good in writing...What I like on this book was, writing is like travelling, isang paglalakbay na marami kang mapupulot na aral. This also help the reader to become more creative in their writings...
Currently reading
September 11, 2007hehehe di ko pa natatapos basahin yung book puro mga quotable quotes lang ang natapos ko :) goal ko makilala lahat ng tao na nasa libro :) hehehe fan?!
April 10, 2023
The version that I read has 264 pages (excluding the Table of Contents, etc.) where it features 40 pages of Boy Abunda's interview for Ricky Lee from Inside the Cinema Circle. This book was bought by my Tita, and was given to me by my Dad as a Christmas present.
I haven't seen any of Ricky Lee's works whether it's the movies that he wrote for or the books that he wrote, but he is one of the most well-respected public figures in the Filipino film industry. I've heard and watched him in interviews before, and I salute to all of his insights.
I am not sure if I'll have a career in film in the future, but I do have an interest for filmmaking, particularly on writing scripts and/or screenplays. Every time there is a project in school where we have to do a roleplay or make a skit, scriptwriting is usually what I do and I enjoy doing them. I have attempted to write a short story before outside of school, but I didn't really pushed through with it. I also make movie reviews on Letterboxd. As someone who loves movies in general and has an interest in writing as well, this is a book that I need.
I discovered this book in a video from AnakniRizal - Tales of Demi called "10 BOOKS EVERY WRITER SHOULD READ (RECOMMENDED BY ANAKNIRIZAL)" where she, from the title itself, recommended 10 books that every writer should read. One of the books that she recommended was "Trip to Quiapo: Scripwriting Manual by Ricky Lee". Once I knew that Ricky Lee has a scriptwriting manual, I was like, "I have to get that one."
I learned so much from this book. I like how the book is formatted like a textbook which feels like this should be a required book to read for film students. There are way too many lessons to share, but I think the most memorable would have to be that this book will not teach you how to write and create a good script, but it will only guide and introduce you to different techniques and ways of creating a story through writing for film. There is no clear standards or formula, but it is up to you on how you will make a good story for a film.
I love everything what Ricky Lee wrote in this book. He referenced so many movies that I haven't watched and haven't even heard of. If ever I am looking for a movie to watch, I can go back to this book. Honestly, this won't be the last time that I will ever open this book. I will for sure reread some parts of the book, especially if ever I am in need of tips when it comes to scriptwriting. There will also be a short film festival next school year in our school. This book will surely be useful.
I haven't seen any of Ricky Lee's works whether it's the movies that he wrote for or the books that he wrote, but he is one of the most well-respected public figures in the Filipino film industry. I've heard and watched him in interviews before, and I salute to all of his insights.
I am not sure if I'll have a career in film in the future, but I do have an interest for filmmaking, particularly on writing scripts and/or screenplays. Every time there is a project in school where we have to do a roleplay or make a skit, scriptwriting is usually what I do and I enjoy doing them. I have attempted to write a short story before outside of school, but I didn't really pushed through with it. I also make movie reviews on Letterboxd. As someone who loves movies in general and has an interest in writing as well, this is a book that I need.
I discovered this book in a video from AnakniRizal - Tales of Demi called "10 BOOKS EVERY WRITER SHOULD READ (RECOMMENDED BY ANAKNIRIZAL)" where she, from the title itself, recommended 10 books that every writer should read. One of the books that she recommended was "Trip to Quiapo: Scripwriting Manual by Ricky Lee". Once I knew that Ricky Lee has a scriptwriting manual, I was like, "I have to get that one."
I learned so much from this book. I like how the book is formatted like a textbook which feels like this should be a required book to read for film students. There are way too many lessons to share, but I think the most memorable would have to be that this book will not teach you how to write and create a good script, but it will only guide and introduce you to different techniques and ways of creating a story through writing for film. There is no clear standards or formula, but it is up to you on how you will make a good story for a film.
I love everything what Ricky Lee wrote in this book. He referenced so many movies that I haven't watched and haven't even heard of. If ever I am looking for a movie to watch, I can go back to this book. Honestly, this won't be the last time that I will ever open this book. I will for sure reread some parts of the book, especially if ever I am in need of tips when it comes to scriptwriting. There will also be a short film festival next school year in our school. This book will surely be useful.
April 25, 2021
This manual is helpful not just in crafting your screenplay but in navigating the cinema of the Philippine industry as well. Ricky Lee's prose was informal and very fun to read, especially when he was telling the stories of his dilemma as a scriptwriter. I just find it quite unfortunate that the contemporary films in the modern Philippines had fallen from its pedestal. It was all due to the capitalistic outlook of our nation's economy. According to one of the people Ricky Lee interviewed, there are lots of brilliant scripts that remain unpublished due to somebody's "kakitiran ng utak". I think this book helped me open my eyes that to appreciate art, one must not limit him/herself to the mainstream media kasi bibihira talaga doon ang sining na may sustensya.
I enjoyed the stories a lot, and the screenplays that were shown at the end were really helpful. However, I've read a clearer manual (e.g. Anatomy of a Story by John Truby) about scriptwriting which focused on the storytelling aspect itself. Trip to Quiapo's instruction are influenced by the market of the current Philippine Cinema, hence, there are some tendencies in which it will suggest to sacrifice the quality of the art to suit the market forces. That's not necessarily a bad thing-- like I've said earlier, it could be your compass to navigate the vast industry. However, I'm not sure it's what I'm looking for.
I enjoyed the stories a lot, and the screenplays that were shown at the end were really helpful. However, I've read a clearer manual (e.g. Anatomy of a Story by John Truby) about scriptwriting which focused on the storytelling aspect itself. Trip to Quiapo's instruction are influenced by the market of the current Philippine Cinema, hence, there are some tendencies in which it will suggest to sacrifice the quality of the art to suit the market forces. That's not necessarily a bad thing-- like I've said earlier, it could be your compass to navigate the vast industry. However, I'm not sure it's what I'm looking for.
June 16, 2018
Trip to Quiapo is not just a manual for scripwriters, but for creative writers in general. It's also an inspiration for artists.
Ricky Lee offers variety of techniques, believing that there are no fixed rules in writing, but the conventions have been there for a reason.
It's a shame that I've only watched several of the films mentioned.
Ricky Lee offers variety of techniques, believing that there are no fixed rules in writing, but the conventions have been there for a reason.
It's a shame that I've only watched several of the films mentioned.
February 3, 2015
Beyond helpful. Sir Ricky's experience is an inspiration, motivation, and beginning.
April 14, 2020
You make writing feel, look and sound terrifying, magical and beautiful all at the same time.
June 17, 2023
I loved this book from the first few pages. Nakakalibang and at the same time nakaka-encourage magsulat. Not that I have time now, but some years ago it helped me build up my self esteem by making the writing profession feel like a work done by humans at hindi ng mga anak ng dyos lang. My priorities have changed but there are lessons here na applicable hindi lang sa writing. And its entertaining! Thank you, Sir Ricky Lee.
May 17, 2024
I bought a hard copy of this book some 25 years ago and it's still one of my prized possessions. I unable to pursue a career in writing but I have always loved it and hoped I could write a book of my own someday. This book has given me ENDLESS ways to write creatively. Thank you so much for unleashing it to the world.
August 3, 2021
Learned a lot from this book. It's not just a script writing manual, there are a lot of life skills that can be learned through this book as well. The way Sir Ricky presented this book can be described as easy and approachable. A must read for movie and script writing enthusiast.
January 11, 2025
Ricky Lee's benevolent and generous manual for scriptwriting was so fun and inspiring to read. He had a creative way of imparting his knowledge. It was never boring to read and by the end I was filled with a semblance of hope that I can actually reach Quiapo. Thank you, RL.
March 14, 2018
I'm interested on this
December 14, 2019
One of my panelist has recommended this to be part of my Related Literature for my thesis.
January 3, 2020
This book helps me a lot in screenplay writing. Thank you for sharing your life experiences Sir Ricky Lee!
January 6, 2023
Oras na para magsulat!
Read
August 25, 2010ahhmmm
Read
October 15, 2012CHECK
Read
May 19, 2013ttaht
Want to read
October 13, 2013Interesting.
May 21, 2016
I think this will help on how I write stories.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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