Magtanggol, a political whodunit film directed by Sigfreid Barros-Sanchez based on a story by producer and investment banker Juanchito “Jojo” Dispo, will be shown at the Power Plant Cinema in Rockwell from Aug. 24 to 30 as part of its weeklong celebration of the National Heroes Day.
The film, the first offering of Felix and Bert Productions, revolves around a fictional political clan rocked by a scandal as one scion – a senator who is a strong advocate for protecting the rights of overseas Filipino workers – was tagged as a principal suspect in a spate of killings of abusive OFW employers.
Tom Rodriguez, who plays Senator Juancho Magtanggol, considers his first venture in the political thriller genre an eye-opener. “I didn’t realize the gravity of violence committed against our kababayans who only want to improve the plight of their respective families. Leaving your family behind to work overseas is already painful.”
Magtanggol dares to ask the question “Sino ang bayani ng mga bagong bayani?” Sanchez, who previously directed the independent films Ang Mga Kidnaper Ni Ronnie Lazaro, Ang Anak Ni Brocka, and Lasponggols, among others, co-wrote the screenplay with fellow Bahay Konseptos members Henrie Famorcan Enaje and Henry Dela Cruz, Jr. while Topel Lee served as director of photography.
Aside from Rodriguez, the film also stars Joonee Gamboa, Dina Bonnevie, Ejay Falcon, Denise Laurel, Albie Casiño, Yam Concepcion, Kim Domingo, William Martinez, Ricky Davao, Epy Quizon, Giselle Sanchez, Lui Manansala, Cholo Barretto, Chanel Latorre, Myrtle Sarrosa, Buboy Villar, Raul Morit, Sunshine Teodoro, Basti Santos, Dido dela Paz, Archi Adamos, Hector Macaso, Bombi Plata, Dwight Gaston, Victor Medina, Bani Baldisseri, and Miguel Gonzales, among others.
Dispo reveals he is donating part of the proceeds to the OFW fund. “I’ve traveled to a lot of places with high concentration of OFWs. I’ve talked to many ambassadors around the world about them, have had first hand exposure with many OFWs. I’ve heard their stories. I want to help.”
Meanwhile, Sanchez believes the film is very relevant to the present times and he encourages Filipinos to watch it “because everyone has an OFW relative somewhere around the world somehow. This is the story of the Filipino worker. This is the story of the Filipino family. This is your story.”
Power Plant Mall is located at Rockwell Drive corner Estrella Street, City of Makati 1200, Metro Manila. For inquiries, you may call 898-1440 to 41 / 898-1702 loc. 2133 / 0917-5778161.