The celebrity screening of "Apag" was a huge success held at the cinema 2 of The Block SM North EDSA.
All the main casts attended the screening which was immediately followed by a presscon.
Directed by highly acclaimed director Brillante Mendoza, "Apag" is an entry to the forthcoming 2023 Summer Metro Manila Film Festival.
"Apag" is a kapampangan-based story which talks about family, guilt, justice and a human being's capacity to sacrifice and forgive.
In "Apag" prominent kapampangan restaurateur Rafael Tuazon (Coco martin) is making preparations for a feast when he figures in a vehicular accident that kills tricycle driver (Matias) After escaping the scene in fear, his father Alfredo Tuazon (Lito Lapid) sacrifices himself to the law in order to save him. Free but devoured by guilt Rafael attempts to make amends to the victim's widow Nita (Gladys Reyes) - but no secret remains uncovered for long.
The movie is also Direk Brillante's tribute to Philippine culture, his own kapampangan roots, and gastronomically highlights native kapampangan cuisine.
"Apag" is a shortened word for "Hapag Kainan", meaning dining table. A place where the family lays down their food which is symbol of ones labor of love - to be offered and exchanged for gratitude, empathy, and ultimately to herald a celebration.
On the other hand, when the family joins in the act of partaking in a meal together. Ironically, secrets are also withheld from each other. To question a culturally important event amongst Filipinos is to also dissect the integrity of the family and of unity.
An accident that eternally changes the lives of two families brings forth a shared suffering between them. It is by that suffering that two families intertwine, and the exchanging of repentance and acceptance is laid on the table. It is in this act that we see the bravest decision man can ever make - the ability to forgive.
"Apag" is a powerhouse cast consisting of : Jaclyn Jose, Coco Martin, Lito Lapid, Gladys Reyes, Gina Pareno, Julio Diaz, Shaina Magdayao, Mark lapid, Vince Rillon and Joseph Marco.
"Apag" premiered at the Busan International Film Festival and has competed at the Warsaw International Film Festival and Asian Film Festival (South Korea) in 2022-2023. Apag is produced by Hongkong International Film Festival Society and Center Productions.
Direk Brillante is the first Pinoy filmmaker to receive the Best Director Award for his film "Kinatay" at the 62nd Cannes Film Festival. His 2009 film "Lola" won the award for Best Film at the 6th Dubai International Film Festival. His 2012 film "Captive" was shown in competition at the 62nd Berlin International Film Festival in February 2012. His 2012 film "Thy Womb" competed for the Golden Lion at the 69th Venice international Film Festival and earned mendoza the award for Achievement in Directing at the Asia Pacific Screen Awards in 2012. His film "Taklub" was selected to be screened in the UN Certain Regard section at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival. Mendoza is one of the few people and is the only Filipino filmmaker to compete and nominated all three major prizes from "The Big Three" (Cannes, Berlin, Venice).
In this film, various kapampangan local artists completed the cast of Apag. which includes: Luigi Pineda, Marc Pangilinan, Bea Dizon, Elaine Gosioco, May Gosioco, Owen Francis Canlas, Rosette Aquino, and Mahayka Navarro.
"Apag" opens April 8 in cinemas nationwide.