Surviving the jungle that is Manila

Like many cities around the world, Manila has its good and bad side.

The city boasts of having the biggest mall in Asia, the only oceanarium in the country, the Cultural Center of the Philippines, the Luneta and the smashing view of famed sunrises and sunsets in front of Manila Bay, among others.

Manila is colorful, cacophonic and classy. 

But there’s the other side of the city. Manila has squatters where some people live on less than a hundred pesos a day. There are criminals on the streets, waiting to prey on victims.

It has witnessed the biggest and most violent rallies in the country’s history. Manila, too, is a mute accomplice to the death of a river that used to be a source of pride.

Indeed, to survive in the jungle that is Manila, one has to be tough. One has to be astig.

In choosing between focusing on the bad or the good side of Manila in Astig, the first film I have ever produced along with my good friend Boy So, I was seduced by the mystery, wealth, filth, squalor and history of the Imperial City.

And it’s not being negative. Sometimes, people see themselves better in the dark.

An entry to the 2009 Cinemalaya Festival, Astig is a full-length digital film about four young men trying to survive the sexual, penurial and emotional perversity of Manila.

Here we meet Ariel, played by Dennis Trillo. Ariel is a conman who works for a shop at C.M. Recto Avenue where they sell fake diplomas and other counterfeit documents. He uses his good looks and a talisman to lure rich girls until he meets his match in Elgine played by Glaiza de Castro.    

There’s also Boy (Edgar Allan Guzman), an expectant father forced to sell his body to a gay man. He does so to support his wife who is about to give birth and his financially-challenged mother (Chanda Romero) who steals from groceries and supermarkets.

The third episode is about Ronald played by Arnold Reyes. A Chinese mestizo from Zamboanga, Ronald goes to Manila to sell a decrepit building which he inherited from his father.

After giving in to the seduction of a man who bought his property, Ronald falls into the evil trap of a prostitute who ran away with his money.

Finally, there’s Baste (Sid Lucero). Baste is a Marine Engineering student and an overly protective brother to his sister Elgine who was cheated on by his boyfriend, Ariel (yes, the lives of the characters intertwine in the story).

When Baste finds out about what happened to his sister, he takes matters into his own hands, resulting to a fight scene which I’m proud to say, is one of the best; the kind that has not been seen on the big screen for a long time now.

Apart from the lead actors, Astig boasts of a stellar line-up of actors in cameo roles. Among these are Ai-Ai delas Alas, Pooh, Bianca Gonzalez, Mariel Rodriguez, Sitti Navarro, Jhong Hilario, Vhong Navarro, Chanda Romero, Rustica Carpio, Keanna Reeves, Glaiza de Castro, Angellie Urquico, Gardo Versoza, Emilio Garcia, Kim Atienza, Paolo Paraiso, Mhalou Crisologo, Angeli Bayani, Armand Reyes, Patricia Ismael, Whitney Tyson, Romano Vasquez, Lotlot Bustamante, Mark Chavez, Haziel Ann Fabro, Mark Fresco, Felbert Go, Ivy Guy-ab, Rita Iringan, Miah Isabelle, Jayden Javier, Lorraine Lopez, Enrico Reyes, Paolo Rivero, Rocky Tan, Alex Tiglao, Josie Torres and Cris Valdez.

Filming Astig became a family affair. According to our director, GB Sampedro, the lead stars were extra enthusiastic in doing the movie because it allowed them the creative freedom.   

Some people have asked if Astig is a gay film. It is not. A few gay characters do not make a gay film.

Rather, Astig is about people adapting to circumstances in the best way they know how. And I say this not to glaze over wrongdoings; indeed, we magnified the mistakes for what they are.

Astig is about reality. That despite the adversities, the tragedies… life does not stop for anyone nor does it make concessions. Life goes on whether we join the ride or not. The redemption is in the acceptance.

Astig is written by Jerry Gracio. It had its world premiere at the Cultural Center of the Philippines Main Theater last Saturday. Another gala screening is scheduled at the CCP Main Theater tomorrow, July 23 at 6:15 p.m. The movie is showing in various CCP venues until July 25.

Astig is sponsored by Café La Carmela, R.A. Gapuz Review Center, Sierra Madre, Sony Music, Tropezz International House of Catering, Joel Cruz of Aficionado and La Carmela de Boracay.