Phl's finest actors cast in Amigo

MANILA, Philippines - Amigo, the film on the Philippine-American war written, directed and produced by acclaimed American filmmaker John Sayles, features the best actors and artists of the Philippines.

Playing the part of Rafael, the distraught cabeza del barrio torn between cooperating with the American colonizers and protecting his constituents, is Joel Torre. Widely-recognized for his film and TV work, he began acting at the age of seven in community theater productions in Bacolod, Negros Oriental. Upon graduating from De La Salle University Bacolod, Joel made his big screen debut as the lead star of Peque Gallaga’s epic Oro, Plata, Mata which was cited by the Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino as one of the Top 10 Films of the Eighties. Joel has since starred in countless films, including international productions.    

Joel met John Sayles through long-time friend and fellow Ilonggo Mario Ontal, one of Sayles’ editors. Joel and Mario formed Aton Productions expressly to co-produce Amigo.  “It’s a big war movie that involves three nationalities — the Spanish, the Americans and the Filipinos,” Joel says of their film.

Rio Locsin portrays Corazon, the devout wife of Rafael and mother of the rebel Jaquinito. She has worked with the country’s most respected directors such as Lino Brocka, Ishmael Bernal, Joel Lamangan, Celso Ad Castillo and Mike de Leon. Rio did not have difficulty getting into the character of Corazon since she has played Joel’s wife more than a few times.

Bembol Roco is another award-winner in the Amigo cast. To this day, his FAMAS Best Actor role of Julio Madiaga in Lino Brocka’s Maynila, Sa Mga Kuko ng Liwanag, remains the benchmark of Filipino social realist drama as it is the only local movie listed in the book 101 Movies You Must See Before You Die. In Amigo, Bembol plays the guerilla Policarpio.

Playing Bembol’s fellow rebel is Ronnie Lazaro whose impressive filmography includes international festival movies and American action pictures. Admired for his longevity and versatility, Ronnie gives life to the character of Simoun in Amigo.

Likewise taking on important roles are most recognized dramatic performers in the country, namely Jon Arcilla, Spanky Manikan and Irma Adlawan.

Sayles’ Filipino co-collaborators behind the cameras are stellar as well: production designer Rodell Cruz, cinematographer Lee Meily, and New York-trained costume designer Gino Gonzales who is a Fullbright scholar and a protégé of National Artist for Theater Design Salvador Bernal. No less than award-winning poet and screenwriter Jose “Pete” F. Lacaba (Sister Stella L., Bayan Ko: Kapit sa Patalim, Eskapo), translated Sayles’ English script into 19th century Tagalog. Incidentally, Cruz received an Urian Best Production Design award for his work on Amigo.

Amigo opens in theaters on July 6 (or two days after July 4 which is the anniversary of the US Declaration of Independence).