Bakwit Boys, the romantic musical written and directed by Jason Paul Laxamana and produced by T-REX Entertainment, dares to break new ground with a heartwarming story and six original songs that are set to capture the hearts and minds of viewers.
Opening in cinemas on Aug. 15 as part of the Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino (PPP), Bakwit Boys tells the journey of the cash-strapped Datul Brothers: Elias, Sonny, Joey and Philip (collectively known as the band, Bakwit Boys) to fulfilling their dreams of becoming genuine recording stars.
Accompanying the Bakwit Boys on the road to fame is Rose who offers to help record their original songs and have these played on the radio. The band’s name is taken from the word “bakwit,” a Filipinized term for “evacuate,” since the Datul brothers are evacuees from their typhoon-ravaged province.
The film stars former Pinoy Big Brother Teen housemate Devon Seron as Rose, It’s Showtime’s Hashtag members Ryle Santiago and Nikko Natividad as Joey and Philip, respectively, Tawag ng Tanghalan Kids’ sensation Mackie Empuerto as Sonny, and Vance Larena, who first made waves as the Lord Master in the movie Bar Boys, as Elias.
The film features six original songs by Tarlac-based singer-songwriter Jhaye Cura, a good friend of Laxamana whom the director had previously collaborated with on a number of Kapampangan songs that they have also turned into music videos.
“She’s got a ‘gift of melody,’” Laxamana says of Cura. “That’s why I wanted to give her songs a chance to be heard through this film.”
These tunes, which will be heard for the first time on the Bakwit Boys Original Sound Track, can be described as “full of hugot” and very sing-able. The genres range from pop rock to mellow, to ballad. Moreover, they speak of topics that are close to the hearts of young dreamers: hope, heartbreak, first love, unrequited feelings, and the pursuit of success.
Aside from the original versions as sung by the cast members in the movie, the songs also have pop versions performed by today’s biggest recording artists. Four of them include Mark Oblea who sings the heart-wrenching melody about longing for a lost love entitled, “Fiona;” Jay R who brings to life the enthralling tune about having a secret crush in “Patibong;” rising talent Sean Oliver who performs the Bakwit Boys’ anthem about overcoming your struggles for your dreams, “Ligtas Ka Na;” and platinum recording star Ice Seguerra who sings about being blissfully in love in “Tayong Dalawa.”
The Bakwit Boys OST will be officially launched at a special, one-night-only gig at Saguijo Café and Bar Events Place on Friday, Aug. 3 at 9:00 p.m.. For only P250, attendees will witness top OPM acts such as Autotelic, Clara Benin, Munimuni, Sean Oliver, Shirebound and Busking and Rusty Machines do their renditions of the Bakwit Boys songs. The indie folk band Fools and Foes is the front act.
The movie’s OST will be available for download soon on Spotify and other digital music stores.
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