Benjamin P. Ablao Jr.

Benjamin James Perez Ablao Jr.
Born	1974 Wilmington, Delaware, U.S.
Occupation(s)	Filmmaker, actor
Known for	Independent films including Emo Pill, Aftermath, Hatred, Head Case

Benjamin James Perez Ablao Jr. (born ) is a U.S.-based independent (indie film) filmmaker and actor. He established B.P.A. Productions Group, Inc., a corporation incorporated in Delaware. His critically acclaimed works encompass a variety of genres such as comedy, drama, artistic, and horror.

Early life and education

Ablao was born in Wilmington, Delaware as the firstborn of two siblings to Filipino parents—his father originating from Manila and his mother from Baguio. His father worked as a civil engineer until his retirement in 2007, while his mother was employed as a Medical Technologist until 2006. Both parents actively participated in the Pilipino American Association of Delaware (PAAD), which promoted cultural and performing arts initiatives.

Raised in Claymont, a suburb of Wilmington, Ablao engaged in school talent shows and PAAD events, frequently performing piano duets alongside his sister Betsy. Their mother encouraged both siblings to take piano lessons.

Ablao initially enrolled at the University of Delaware majoring in International Relations before transferring to Widener University in 1997. He completed a Bachelor of Science degree and earned a Certificate in Paralegal Studies by 2003. Currently, he is pursuing an MBA at the University of Phoenix campus located in Philadelphia.

Journalism

During his time at Wilmington's Salesianum School, Ablao concentrated on public policy, government, and business studies. He was involved in various student groups including Model United Nations, stage crew, and contributed to The Review, the school’s newspaper.

In his junior and senior years, he held multiple roles at The Eye Magazine—a statewide student-run monthly publication by the YMCA of Delaware until 1992—including Acting Editor-in-Chief, Managing Editor, Art Director, and staff writer. His commitment was recognized with the “1991 Youth Volunteer of the Year” award from the YMCA of Delaware, where he later served on the Board of Directors between 1992 and 1993.

Following high school graduation, Ablao attended the University of Delaware, where he acted as propraetor (alumni secretary) for the Kappa Delta Rho fraternity (AB Chapter) in 1994 and oversaw its newsletter. From 2000 through 2002, he served as president of the Kappa Delta Rho Alumni Corporation and was editor-in-chief for its bi-annual alumni publication.

Film beginnings and awards

In 2001, while employed in financial services, Ablao connected with director Anthony Spadaccini. This collaboration developed into a productive business alliance between Ablao’s B.P.A. Productions and Spadaccini’s Fleet Street Films, an independent film studio subsidiary.

Ablao produced multiple short and feature-length films such as "Emo Pill" (2006), “Aftermath” (2005), and “Hatred” (2006). The short "Monday Morning" (2005), inspired by Chaplin/Keaton silent comedies, was showcased at numerous festivals across the U.S. and Canada, securing second place for Best Experimental Short at the 2006 Indie Gathering Film Festival. Its successor, "The First Date" (2006), earned Best Experimental Short at the 2007 Indie Gathering Film Festival. Known for its vivid visual style, "Emo Pill" premiered at the 2006 Newark Film Festival and achieved third place for Best Experimental Short at the 2007 Indie Gathering Film Festival.

Both "Emo Pill" and "Monday Morning" were honored with Exemplary Filmmaking awards during the 2006 Delaware Valley Film Festival.

Ablao also took on executive producer roles for projects including “Unstable” (2005), “The Troubled Interviewee” (2002), “Glenville: Hell’s Homecoming” (2005), “Head Case" (2007), and "Amateur Porn Star Killer 2" (2008).

His acting portfolio includes performances in Johnny K. Wu’s horror short "En Passant" as well as Spadaccini’s films "Hatred," "The First Date," and "Head Case."

The feature-length horror pseudo-documentary "Head Case" debuted at the Newark Film Festival, attracting record attendance for a local independent film screening.

Ablao has been featured on local outlets such as WVUD radio and participated as a guest speaker discussing independent filmmaking at Wilmington University in 2006.

At present, Ablao is actively promoting "Head Case," concurrently producing three feature films along with a music video for Chris Watson, who competed on season seven of American Idol.

See also

• Bothum, Peter. Independent Filmmakers Anticipating a Promising Future. The News Journal, Wilmington, Delaware, April 2, 2006, Page 2
• http://www.ymcade.org/
• https://web.archive.org/web/20080429204611/http://www.kdrab.com/
• http://www.kdr-ab.com/