World-class boxing legend Sen. Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao announced today that he will play the role of local hero Col. Macario Peralta, Jr., leader of the Philippine Guerrilla resistance on Panay Island during WWII, in the upcoming Hollywood-Philippines global feature film Freedom Fighters.
An incredible true story of courage, faith, and hope in the face of unspeakable Japanese-inflicted terror, “Freedom Fighters” will be brought to the screen by Inspire Studios, Inc., in association with a major US studio, with production slated for 2020.
Producer/financier, Francis B. Lara Ho, CEO of Inspire Studios, said: "Freedom Fighters” will be a global, Hollywood studio-level release. We are currently in discussions with leading Hollywood and Philippine studios, financiers and distributors, as well as ‘A-List’ directors and actors to bring this amazing, inspirational story to the global audience.
“Having the charismatic and beloved Senator Manny Pacquiao join us to play real life WWII Filipino hero Colonel Peralta is an exciting step in putting together a cast of top-tier actors for this movie. Manny is a worldwide hero and admired by people from all over the world, so stepping into this role is a natural for him,” Mr. Ho said.
Mr. Francis Ho, founder of Inspire Studios which will hold offices both in the US and the Philippines, has great vision for the company. “We want to impact humanity by creating world-class movies of hope, heroism, and honor from stories based on true-to-life events. Movies that go beyond mere entertainment. Those that showcase positive, human virtues. Movies that inspire and stir us to look beyond ourselves, and help us dream to be greater and encourage us to pursue something bigger than life itself!
“Freedom Fighters” is based on the memoirs of Louise Spencer, an American who was one of the residents of Hopevale, a community of patriots in Panay Island during WWII that played a great role during a most crucial time in Philippine history.
After the Japanese sneak attack invasion of the Philippines in WWII, staged to coincide with the attack on Pearl Harbor, a group of American doctors, nurses, missionaries and miners in Panay Island chose to stay hidden behind enemy lines to continue to help the local people and the Guerrilla Resistance, led by Colonel Peralta.
They built a community deep in the jungle called “Hopevale”, and survived there for almost two years under constant threat of torture and execution if captured. They were supported by loyal, brave Filipinos who put their lives and the lives of their families on the line to help them survive and hold back the Japanese, allowing the triumphant Gen. MacArthur to belatedly return.
For more information about Inspire Studios, pls visit their website at www.theinspirestudios.com or email them at inspirestudios@
