THE movie “Mina-Anud” makes its debut today, Aug. 21, in theaters nationwide. The story is based on a real life happening along the waters of Eastern Samar a decade ago when cocaine bricks were washed ashore in the island of Mina-Anud.

In the area at that time was avid Cebuano surfer Kerwin Go who witnessed the turn of events. The impressionable young man couldn’t quite get it out of his mind. A filmmaker by training (Los Angeles Film School USA), he thought of weaving a tale based on what he saw. In collaboration with scriptwriter Stephen Lopez, he made his story come to life with imaginative details thrown in.

Kerwin handled the project from its inception to the finished product with utmost care. As director, he made sure to present the movie with realism as well as artistry. He showed a good eye with his choice of actors who all did justice to their respective roles (Dennis Trillo, Jerald Napoles and Matteo Guidecelli, among them).

I remember Kerwin as the smart and well-behaved little boy of lawyer Manuel “Maning” Go and civic worker Carmen when our families used to have weekend outings in the 1980s. I’ve seen little of him since those days so it was a delightful surprise to see him again, this time as the celebrated film director of the movie “Mina-Anud” during the sneak preview at SM Seaside City Cebu Directors’ Club organized by Southwall Magazine.

The private screening last Aug. 8 was preceded by cocktails at the lobby where director Kerwin Go, assistant director Relyn Tan, main actors Dennis Trillo and Jerald Napoles and their team interacted with the guests. Very much on the frontline too were Southwall publisher and chief executive officer Caroline Tan Porras, Kerwin’s proud parents, lawyer Manuel and Carmen Go, his sis Kate who came all the way from New Zealand, and his brod Kevin with wife Joy and daughter Cheska. A host of friends were all there to congratulate Kerwin.

A must-see movie, “Mina-Anud” is thought-provoking with glimpses of friendship and fun, dreams, drugs and despair, and lessons learned. It is timely and relevant, pathetic and funny, and definitely masterfully crafted.