Lessons from Masahista

The budget was pegged at around P3 to P4 million only. The director and the lead star were newcomers.

The storyline has been around the corner for quite sometime, yet it required one's keen eye to realize it actually existed. But given a fresh treatment and approach, the story came out so real, sincere and honest on the big screen. It tells lovers of cinema-particularly budding filmmakers-that one need not go great lengths just to produce a quality film. All one has to do is find the story in the personal or other people's everyday bout with the ironies of life-and bingo! You have a movie, though maybe simply-made, that creates impact and brings about a revelation of sorts.

Such is the story behind "Masahista." Set in the lahar-stricken province of Pampanga, the GEE International-produced film tells how young men are forced into prostitution in the guise of being masseurs (or in Filipino, "masahista"). The movie gives you a stark picture of another form of exploitation: how masseurs are forced to perform sexual acts to please their gay customers because of poverty.

That massage parlors have become sex dens is not news anymore. The scoop and beauty of the film lie in the powerful dramatization of what has transpired inside that cramped, dimly-lit room. It's director, Brilliante Mendoza, succeeds in telling the story and having it understood by many, proof of which is the international acclaim it has drawn and continues to get following its screenings in various film festivals here and abroad. The film is more than just a triumph for the film industry. It proves as well that independent filmmakers definitely have a place in this business-all it would take are guts, determination and faith.

Upcoming actor Coco Martin playing the lead role is a perfect choice. The cameras simply love his innocent face. It was his first time to disrobe before the cameras, yet he was able to deliver. Acting-wise, Martin had given justice to "Iliac," the promdi who was forced to become a masseur to support an ailing father who eventually died.

"Nanginginig talaga ako sa takot at hiya. Ang daming tao, ang daming monitor," revealed Martin, who was in town recently with co-actor Randel Reyes to grace the Cebu premiere of "Masahista." "[Co-actor] Alan Paule was there kaya inisip ko na lang kung siya nga na respetadong actor di nahihiya ako pa kaya? But for that scene with Allan, two days yon ginawa," Martin added.

Martin started his showbiz career as a commercial model at the age of 16. Two years after, he was discovered by his present manager Ihman Esturco and was pushed to pursue show business full-time. He had a minor role in GMA-7's youth-oriented show Click. He had a couple of forgettable roles in movies. "Ang Masahista," is, therefore, his biggest break.

Being given this major film role, Martin is the least person to bungle expectations of him. He said he worked hard for this project so as not to be a mere flash in the pan in this highly competitive business.

"I had workshops and I trained to be a masseur talaga. We went to 10 massage parlors to do research on what it is all about. I even pretended to be a client," Martin shared.

Martin revealed that he never knew that an "extra service" comes with a massage not until he himself was asked. He was lucky enough to get the services of a masseur his age, who hailed from Pampanga, thus making him comfortable. They had instant bonding where Martin got the chance to ask everything he needed to know about being a masseur.

"Dumating talaga sa point na nagtanong siya kung itutuloy ba namin ang 'extra service.' Of course I said no. Nagdahilan ako na huwag nalang kasi baka magka-raid makalabuso kami. Ang totoo hindi talaga ako comfortable na magkadikit ang mga hubad naming katawan," he admitted with a laugh.

After doing the movie, Martin has this realization: "Mas malawak na ang pag-unawa ko sa mga masahista. Naintindihan ko rin sila na kaya nila yon ginawa ay dahil sa hirap ng buhay. Kung may choice lang sila di nila gagawin yon."

The movie is an instrument for people to understand why masseurs resort-if not cling-to this kind of trade and "profession." "Masahista" also serves as an eye-opener for the industry's movers and shakers to create films that present day-to-day realities and are of social relevance rather than spin stories meant only for financial gain.

"Masahista" is rated R-18 without cuts. It has frontal nudity and some foul language, but these prove essential to the story and not done in bad taste. It would have not become the first Filipino-first Asian film, for that matter-to win the Golden Leopard, the highest recognition in the prestigious Locarno International Film Festival in Switzerland for nothing.