‘On The Job: The Missing 8’ Philippine premiere set

MANILA, Philippines — The Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) has just launched the third installment of "WAGI!," a series of film screenings that celebrate Filipino film excellence, with the Philippine premiere of internationally-acclaimed movie "On The Job: The Missing 8."

The premiere is slated on February 18, 5 p.m., at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo in CCP. The screening will be followed by a short program that includes the formal presentation of the Volpi Cup to actor John Arcilla, and a post-screening talkback with special guests. Talkback will be livestreamed on the CCP Facebook page.

Directed by multi-awarded director Erik Matti, "On The Job: The Missing 8" gave Arcilla the Coppa Volpi (Volpi Cup) for Best Actor at the 78th Venice Film Festival.

Related: John Arcilla 1st Pinoy to win Best Actor at 78th Venice Film Festival for 'OTJ: The Missing 8'

The film tells the story of a corrupt reporter for a local newspaper, who is forced to start an investigation following the disappearance of his colleagues. The ordeal pits him against his personal interests.

Meanwhile, an inmate, who is routinely released from prison to carry out assassinations, is sentenced to life in prison for a crime he did not commit. Not wanting to spend the rest of his life as a hitman, he begins to plan ways to regain his freedom by any means necessary.

"On The Job: The Missing 8" premiered last September 10, 2021 at the 78th Venice International Film Festival. The movie entered the Main Competition for the Golden Lion, and acquired the Volpi Cup for Best Actor with Arcilla's performance. An HBO Asia Original, this sequel to the 2013 film "On the Job" focuses on corruption and media censorship, now that a new strongman is in power in the Philippines.

Tickets are at P300. Call TicketWorld at 09175506997 (Globe) or 09999545922 (Smart), or visit www.ticketworld.com.ph. Contact the CCP Box Office at 8832-3704 / 8832-1125 local 1409.

This special screening is presented by the CCP, in cooperation with the Asian Cultural Council Philippines Foundation, Reality MM Studios, and Globe Studios.

"WAGI!" is a series of special screenings of select feature and documentary films celebrating Filipino excellence. It opened on November 5, 2021 with Ramona Diaz’s documentary “A Thousand Cuts” to honor Maria Ressa, the first Filipina Nobel laureate. It was followed by the special screening of the GMA7 documentary “Team Pilipinas: The Atom Araullo Specials” produced by broadcast journalist Atom Araullo, which honors the athletes who represented the Philippines and bagged medals at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

The CCP opens its theater with 30 percent capacity, excluding Balcony II. To ensure that everyone will have a safe theater experience, please read CCP's new normal health protocol at bit.ly/CCPNewNormalProtocol.