Costanilla: Reviving Visayan movies with ‘Palad ta ang Nagbuot’

FILMING. As I write this, I am in Sucat, Parañaque, specifically at the Gabriel “Flash” Elorde gym, for the filming of the Visayan indie movie, Palad Ta Ang Nagbuot.

It is a remake of the black-and-white film of the same title produced and shown in 1969 with Elorde and Gloria Sevilla, the Queen of Visayan Movies, in the lead roles.

The remake is under the direction of Gloria’s son, Dandin Ranillo, who is now based in California. He invited me to play boxing promoter-cum-ring announcer Sam Ocampo in this remake. The ongoing monsoon rain is causing a slight inconvenience on the part of the stars and crew as far as exterior shots are concerned but the filming is generally sailing smoothly.

Stars. It is heartwarming to note that Dandin is committed to do his best in reviving the dormant Visayan movie industry, which he says can be done. In this remake, he has tapped a number of Visayan stars to appear in important roles: Boxer Nonito Donaire and Davao-based singer Crisel Valdez as leading man and leading lady, respectively; novelty singer-composer Max Surban; comedian Garry Lim (veteran radioman Lou Arevalo’s son); Dandin’s sister, Suzette Ranillo; and Gloria herself. Two of the actors from Manila that we are working with are Mon Confiado and Baldo Maro, who currently heads a national group of stuntmen. He is also the fight instructor of this remake.

Showing. Dandin says he wants to finish this production as soon as possible so that it will be shown here and abroad before Nonito’s fight in California in October. The director is optimistic that the remake of Palad Ta Ang Nagbuot will be a box-office success. I share his optimism. In fact, he adds, two more Visayan films (Badlis sa Kapalaran and Mga Luhang Nahabilin sa Baybayon) are being lined up—also for remake—plus another movie (a new one) about Señor Santo Niño. Let’s cross our fingers that this dream will come true.

Recall. During a short break in our shooting, Gloria recalled that when they did the original Palad Ta Ang Nagbuot Elorde, who was then a big boxing star, was a hesitant actor. According to Gloria, he was reluctant even to hug her in their love scenes because Elorde was afraid that Mat Ranillo, Gloria’s husband, might get mad at him.

She also told us that Elorde, while not a good actor, was a fine and soft-spoken gentleman. In this remake, she plays the mother of Crisel whose character she originally portrayed in 1969.

Fun. It is fun working with people who have the vision and passion to revive the Visayan film industry. Even our Tagalog counterparts here are very cooperative. At first, I thought there was going to be a gap among us but I was wrong. Anyway, the Palad Ta Ang Nagbuot remake is tri-lingual (Visayan, Tagalog and English) so for its international screening, the film will have English subtitles.

Hope. We hope that this remake will help in the Visayan film industry’s revival. We believe in the power of prayer, so let us storm the heavens with lots of prayers and petitions for the local movie industry to rise again and for those well-meaning individuals to invest in this venture.