Too Long.
Too Hard.
Too arduous.
This is how cast and crew described their experience working on “Mamasapano: Now It Can Be Told,” a film about the skirmish that occurred January 25, 2015, in Tukanalipao, Mamasapano, that led to the deaths of 44 members of the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) Special Action Force (SAF).
Director Lester Dimaranan attested, “First day pa lang may problema kaagad, may artista kami gusto na mag-quit so dun pa lang ramdam ko na na it’s going to be long, tedious.”
Actor Gerald Santos added, “Sa akin pinakagrabe ‘yung nasa location na kami. Napakahirap. Mainit, malagkit. Tas ang haba ng shooting. May time na inaabutan kami ng gabi hanggang pagsikat ng araw.”
Their sentiments were echoed by screenwriter Eric Ramos and film producer Atty. Ferdinand Topacio.
Eric told us, “Sa pagbuo pa lang ng script napakahirap na. Inabot ako actually ng 5 months just to complete it. Dahil nga kailangan pagtagpi-tagpiin mo lahat ng lumabas sa investigation, ‘yung narratives, para cohesive siya. Eh, ang kapal-kapal ng source material so ang hirap, mabusisi.”
In the end though, everyone agreed it was all worth it.
Atty. Topacio summed it up, “Well, yes napakahirap, napakagastos, napakahaba ng proseso. Ang daming challenges along the way but after seeing the film, I think, sulit naman. Nakakatuwa na ‘yung pinaghirapan namin ay maipapalabas na finally at sa Metro Manila Film Festival pa. I think this is opportune not only for us but for filmgoers in general. Kasi Filipinos need quality entertainment more than ever. Napagiiwanan na tayo e. Hopefully, in our own little way e, makatulong tayo na mapaganda ang industriya ng pelikulang Pilipino.”
Apart from Gerald, the film also stars Edu Manzano, Aljur Abrenica, Paolo Gumabao, Alan Paule, Rey “PJ” Abellana, Rez Cortez, Juan Rodrigo, Claudine Barretto, Ritz Azul, Myrtle Sarrosa, Jojo Abellana, Ronnie Liang, Jim Pebanco, Tom Olivar, Rico Barrera, LA Santos, Marcus Madrigal, AJ Oteyza, Marco Gomez, Rash Flores, Elmo Elarmo, and Nathan Cajucom.
It hits theaters Dec. 25.
