again in 1993 as Elias, Gregorio Aglipay (1982) as Fr. Brillantes, Makinig Kayong Mabuti (Listen Carefully, 1986) as Gen. Henry Baltazar, and Ginuntuang Bayan (Shūsaku Endō's Golden Country, 1990) as Fr. Ferreira. He also appeared in stage plays at the University of the Philippines such as Patay Na si Sizwe Banzi (Athol Fugard's Sizwe Banzi Is Dead, 1986) as Styles, Tatalon (1987) as the Jeepney Driver; and Supremo (Supreme Chief, 1991) as Andres Bonifacio. He also acted in the Metropolitan Theater appearing in plays such as Gironiere (1985) as Alila, and El Filibusterismo (Subversion, 1991, an adaptation of Jose Rizal's second novel) as Simoun. He also portrayed Rizal/Crisostomo Ibarra in Noli Me Tangere (Touch Me Not, 1986, an adaptation of Rizal's first novel) at Puerta Real. Other theaters that he performed for include Teatro Pilipino, Tanghalang Pilipino, and Bulwagang Gantimpala as well as for independent theater groups or on campus. Film It was in the early 1980s when Pen crossed over to films. In 1982, he starred in his first film, Himala, which was headlined by Nora Aunor. He subsequently appeared in other Filipino films in the 1980s such as Karnal (Of the Flesh, 1983), Sister Stella L. (1984), Scorpio Nights (1985), Virgin Forest (1985), and Unfaithful Wife (1986). He also has several acting credits in foreign films, most notably, the 1988 Australian television film Dangerous Life, where he plays Col. Eduardo Doromal, a fictionalized character based on a historical figure during the People Power Revolution. In the 1990s, Pen continued his film career starring in historical films and films with social relevance. He starred in the 1993 film Sakay as Lucio de Vega, a historical figure who, together with Macario Sakay, were revolutionaries fighting the Americans, and were later outlawed and hanged in 1907. In the 1998 film José Rizal, he played Paciano Mercado, the older brother of Jose Rizal. He also played Jose Rizal in the documentary film entitled Jose Rizal: Ang Buhay ng Isang Bayani (Jose Rizal: A Hero’s Life, 1996), which was produced by Ateneo de Manila University. The other films in the 1990s that Pen starred in include Mumbaki (Shaman, 1996), Ligaya ang Itawag Mo sa Akin (They Call Me Joy, 1997), and Sa Pusod ng Dagat (In the Navel of the Sea, 1998). In the Marilou Diaz-Abaya film Muro Ami (1999), Pen got his first acting award as he won Best Supporting Actor given