Exploiting Sex

The films I have written were accused by several people to be sexually exploitative.
Fortunately, I never had any issues regarding sexual exploitation. Or using sex as a selling point of a particular material.
Sex is just like food. It is a physiological need. It’s just like clothing and fashion. It is part of our identity. And aside [...]

Kambyo: My Third Screenplay

I wrote the screenplay of “Kambyo” as a requirement from my producer (Viva) to make a follow up film after the commercial success of ”Ang Lihim ni Antonio” (Antonio’s Secret) and “Ang Lalake sa Parola” (The Man in the Lighthouse).
I wrote this film during my stay in Sagada (Mountain Province). And our vision for this project was [...]

Praised by the Mentor

In the Philippine film industry, there is one screenwriter whom I have always looked up to, his name is Armando “Bing” Lao.
I have always admired the sophistication of his narrative technique as a screenwriter in his films (Pila Balde, Tuhog and Sana Pag-Ibig na). His screenplays were rich like a novel. At the beginning of this century, [...]

Why I Write Gay Stories

“Thank you for speaking for us. For bringing to memory the fondest and darkest moments in my life…helping me understand myself… (and realize) that it’s ok to be me…” (Jeffrey, 25 years old)
 
This is a part of a letter from a viewer after watching the film that I wrote “Ang Lihim ni Antonio” (Antonio’s Secret). [...]

Sad Stories

I have been receiving comments from people asking me to stop writing sad stories.
My first two screenplays were categorically sad, the first one “Ang Lalake sa Parola” (The Man in the Lighthouse) was bittersweet. The second one “Ang Lihim ni Antonio” (Antonio’s Secret) was outright tragic.
It makes me want to ask myself, am I a [...]

Awit Para kay Antonio

Lyrics of the theme song from the film “Ang Lihim ni Antonio”
 
Awit para kay Antonio
Words  by Lex Bonife; Music by Ajit Hardasani
 
Kung may tanong ka, sabihin mo
Isigaw mo, huwag kang matakot
Bakit ka narito, ano ba ang pakay mo
Sa buhay na ito
 
Bakit ka patuloy pa sa paghinga?
Bakit ka patuloy pa
Sa paghuhukay ng pag-asa?
 
Kahulugan, Kaguluhan
Kabuluhan at [...]

Ang Lalake sa Parola (The Man in the Lighthouse)

“Ang Lalake sa Parola (The Man in the Lighthouse)” is my first screenplay directed by Joselito Altarejos.
 It received a “Grade B” from the Cinema Evaluation Board and was cited by the Manila Tribune as one of the best Filipino films of 2007. It was also the highest grossing digital film released for that year.
 SYNOPSIS:
After meeting Mateo [...]

Ang Lihim ni Antonio/ Antonio’s Secret

“Ang Lihim ni Antonio” (Antonio’s Secret) is my second screenplay. It premiered last February, 2008 and is directed by Joselito Altarejos. Currently, this film is one of the highest grossing Filipino digital films in history.

Synopsis:

Antonio (Kenji Garcia) is a curious fifteen year old boy who is beginning to come to terms with his own sexuality. Although his [...]