Joel Lamangan (born September 21, 1952) is a Filipino film director, television director and actor. His award-winning films includes The Flor Contemplacion Story, Sidhi, Deathrow, Hubog, Aishte Imasu 1941, Blue Moon and Mano Po. As an actor, Lamangan is best known for portraying the villain turned anti-hero Roda in the ABS-CBN teleserye FPJ's Batang Quiapo.
On August 19, 2008, Lamangan directed his first indie movie Walang Kawala produced by DMV Entertainment. It stars Polo Ravales and Joseph Bitangcol, with the special participation of Jean Garcia. Joel also directs Obra and will soon start shooting Desperadas 2. He started production for the next Sine Novela: Una Kang Naging Akin starring Angelika dela Cruz, Wendell Ramos, and Maxene Magalona.[1]
In the 2013 Elections, he ran as congressman for Cavite's 1st District under the Lakas-CMD/United Nationalist Alliance/Partido Magdalo. However he backed out in the race.
In 2013, Lamangan was named as the artistic director of Gantimpala Theater Foundation.[2] Lamangan will direct an original musical titled "Katipunan: Mga Anak ng Bayan" and it will star actors Sandino Martin and Anna Fegi.[3] The show toured in August and September 2013 around provinces of Manila to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the birth of Philippine hero, Andres Bonifacio.
Lamangan is a member of the Directors' Guild of the Philippines.[4]
Lamangan is a member of the international Order of DeMolay from Baja Chapter, Cavite City. He was conferred with the highest honor being a DeMolay to the rank of Legion of Honor on November 14, 2015, by the Grand Master Victor Antonio T. Espejo of the Supreme Council Order of DeMolay Philippines for outstanding leadership in his field of endeavor, for service to humanity, for success in fraternal life, including adult service to the Order of DeMolay. The Supreme Council Order of DeMolay is an appendant body of Freemasonry.
Lamangan has been an activist since the 1960s. In the middle of the 1960s, he formed a Kabataang Makabayan chapter in Cavite City, where he once led a jeepney strike. He was imprisoned and tortured during martial law in 1973 and 1977.[5] He was among the organizers of the ML50 campaign in 2022, through which a series of activities were held to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the declaration of martial law under the dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos.[6]
He has directed a number of films that depicted social and political conditions in the Philippines. Sigwa (Rage) in 2010 depicted the life of activists who had taken part in the First Quarter Storm. Deadline:The Reign of Impunity in 2011 depicted killings of media people.[7] His 2009 film Dukot, which depicted the plight of desaparecidos, was screened in the US, Canada, and Hong Kong with the help of human rights organizations. The film was also screened at the Montreal World Film Festival.[5]
Lamangan's mother died at childbirth. He spent his childhood in Cavite City with his grandparents Francisco, a Magdalo and US constable and Juanita. His father was the sole son. He has 15 half-brothers and half-sisters, all US military members. He was imprisoned for 2 years in Bicutan.[17]
Lamangan’s 3 decades partner is Jim Pebanco since they met in the 1980s.[18]
In December 2022, Lamangan underwent a successful triple coronary artery bypass surgery at the Makati Medical Center.[19]