The long and difficult journey of 'Mamasapano: Now It Can Be Told'

Edu Manzano and Aljur Abrenica in ‘Mamasapano: Now It Can Be Told.’ YOUTUBE SCREENSHOTS

By Christina Alpad, Manila Times

"It has been a long, hard battle."

This was how movie producer and lawyer Ferdinand Topacio described the journey of his new masterpiece, "Mamasapano: Now It Can Be Told."

The movie, an official entry to the 2022 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), tells the story of the Mamasapano clash where 44 Special Action Force officers of the Philippine National Police (PNP) died on their mission.

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Using both the PNP Board of Inquiry Report and the Senate Committee on Public Order Report, scriptwriter Eric Ramos ("Rainbow Sunset") and director Lester Dimaranan ("Nelia") presented the story from the point of view of then-PNP Deputy Chief of Operations Major General Benjamin Magalong, played in the movie Edu Manzano.

"It was the point of view ni Magalong as he was heading the investigation. Siya yung nagpapatakbo ng kwento. And then the scenarios in the field were told in flashbacks," scriptwriter Ramos said.

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"Pinanghahawakan namin yung paninindigan na ito ay base lahat sa katotohanan. Kung ano talaga yung laman ng imbestigasyon ng PNP Board of Inquiry, yun talaga yung naging gabay namin," Ramos added.

"Mamasapano" movie was three years in the making. Topacio's Borracho Films started working on the movie's script in late 2019, about the same time the production company was established. It would take five months to complete the script alone. Topacio was hoping that it would be his opening salvo in the filmmaking industry.

Unfortunately, that dream had to wait for several years.

The pandemic and consequent lockdowns derailed their taping schedules. Another conflict within the production team, which led to the replacement of the director and the entire production staff, further delayed the movie.

Still, Topacio — who served as counsel for the families of the 44 SAF officers — was bent on finishing and releasing the movie, as he promised the surviving family members of the fallen heroes.

"We hope to perpetuate yung memory ng mga tao. There's a saying, 'If you want to reach a person's mind, you write a book. If you want to reach a person's heart, you make a movie.' This is a movie that must reach the heart of every Filipino because this is the story of an ordinary Filipino. Itong mga ito [the SAF 44 officers] hindi ito mga sikat na tao," the lawyer-turned-producer said.

He also noted how they spared no expense to produce an accurate and true-to-life account of the events that led to the Mamasapano encounter — from hiring competent creatives to investing heavily on production and post-production needs of the film.

"The final product is well worth it. It exceeded all our expectations. Napakaganda talaga," the producer proudly said.

The movie was initially submitted for MMFF 2021 but was rejected. From there, they planned to release the movie on November 30 this year, in time for National Heroes' Day.

"But we decided why not give it a try again on MMFF," Topacio recalled.

He breathed a sigh of relief when it was announced that "Mamasapano" is an official entry to the 48th edition of MMFF.

In ending, Topacio said he is hoping the public will support the movie everyone worked hard for.

"If I am going to be remembered as a producer for just one movie, I want to be remembered for this movie," he finally said.

"Mamasapano: Now It Can Be Told" also stars Paolo Gumabao, Aljur Abrenica, Allan Paule, Rey Abellana, Ritz Azul, Myrtle Sarrosa, Claudine Barretto, Gerald Santos and Rez Cortez among many others.