I AM PRODUCING the full-length indie film Astig which is a finalist in the 2009 Cinemalaya Film Festival. This is my first attempt at movie production together with my good friend hotelier Boy So of La Carmela de Boracay. Its supervising producer is Noel Ferrer who has critical and box-office hits like Daybreak, Adela and Imoral. Astig is written by multi-awarded writer Jerry Gracio and directed by MTV, concert, TV commercial and TV show director GB Sampedro whom I worked with in Homeboy and Boy & Kris.
Ang Astig ay episodic tale ng apat na kalalakihan who are trying to survive the “sexual squalor, seductive filth and emotional perversity” of Manila. Ang apat na astig ay sina Dennis Trillo, Edgar Allan Guzman, Arnold Reyes at Sid Lucero. In Episode 1, Dennis plays Ariel na isang conman na nagtatrabaho sa isang shop sa C.M. Recto Avenue selling fake diplomas and other documents. He meets and falls in love with a young girl pero iniwan niya ito. In Episode 2, Edgar Allan plays Boy na isang expectant young father na nagbenta ng katawan to pay his wife’s hospital bill. Ang Episode 3 ay tungkol kay Ronald (Arnold), isang Chinese mestizo from Zamboanga na lumuwas ng Maynila para ibenta ang building na minana mula sa kanyang ama. To reaffirm his sexual identity, he hired a prostitute na tumangay ng kanyang pera. Ang Episode 4 ay kuwento ni Baste (Sid), a Marine Engineering student and overly protective brother na gustong ipaghiganti ang kapatid na niloko ng kanyang boyfriend.
Mahirap pero masaya ang mag-produce ng isang pelikula. I am asked why I decided to produce a film. I have been dealing with public figures for almost 20 years. I play diverse roles in this business but I still want to grow. I want to learn new things and I want to give back to this industry na naging mabuti sa akin.
Nagpapasalamat din ako sa lahat ng newcomers, 20 stage actors at 30 mainstream actors tulad nila Ai-Ai delas Alas, Pooh, Bianca Gonzalez, Mariel Rodriguez, Sitti Navarro, Jhong Hilario, Vhong Navarro, Chanda Romero, Rustica Carpio, Keanna Reeves, Glaiza de Castro, Angellie Urquico, Gardo Versoza, Emilio Garcia, Kim Atienza, Paolo Paraiso, Mhalou Crisologo, Angeli Bayani at Armand Reyes na nagbigay ng kanilang oras para sa pelikula.
Magkakaroon ng world premiere ang Astig sa Cultural Center of The Philippines Main Theater sa July 18 (Saturday) at 9pm at isa pang gala screening sa CCP Main Theater sa July 23 (Thursday) at 6:15pm. The movie will have other screenings in various CCP venues on July 19, 21, 22, 24 and 25.
Kaibigan, usap tayo muli!
Points of Boy
by Boy Abunda
