Why Katas was almost shelved

Now it can be told: Katas ng Saudi was almost shelved. How come? Read on.

But before that, let’s listen to its writer-director, Joey Javier Reyes, talk glowingly about the movie while heaving a sigh of relief.

Joey describes the roles of Jinggoy Estrada and Lorna Tolentino in the movie as the Mr. & Mrs. Juan de la Cruz of the 21st century. Jinggoy is Oca Dimaano, an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) stationed in the Middle East; while Lorna is his wife Mercy, left behind in the Philippines to take care of the children (Shaina Magdayao, Arron Villaflor and Jullian Estrada, Jinggoy and wife Precy Vitug’s own son).

Joey further describes Oca Dimaano as every Filipino man, whether working in the Middle East, America, Europe, Australia, Asia or even Africa. He bears the loneliness of being separated from his family if only to give them a brighter future. Mercy is the wife playing both mother and father, coping with domestic problems. They look forward to the day when the family is together again, happy and prosperous. But will it ever come?

Katas may well be called The Filipino Film of the Metro Manila Film Festival, opening on Dec. 25.

Now, here’s why Katas was almost shelved (and thank heavens that it wasn’t).

Did you know that Joey has shot for three days when Erap told Jinggoy to cancel the project, telling him that he should concentrate on his being a senator instead of acting? Jinggoy relayed the bad news to Joey who was greatly disappointed as Katas was his dream movie, one telling the highs and lows of an OFW. But Jinggoy assured Joey he’d try to persuade his dad to allow him to continue with the film.

Fortunately, Erap had a change of heart when Jinggoy explained that Katas has a strong message to OFWs and their families. He reminded Erap that it was in a way similar to Sa Kuko ng Agila which Erap produced and starred in when he was a senator. It exposed the abuses of American soldiers in military bases here.

Erap understood and gave his go-signal, but said in jest, “Magpapayat ka muna.” Jinggoy was more than willing to do it, but Joey said there was no need because the role of Oca Dimaano fitted him to a T, returning home after 10 years in the Middle East, alienated from his three children.

Katas also stars Rayver Cruz as Shaina’s boyfriend. Also in the cast are Bayani Agbayani, Eugene Domingo, Vangie Labalan, Liza Lorena, Dick Israel, Mandy Ochoa, Ernie Zarata and Opposition lawyer Adel Tamano as barangay chairman.

Jinggoy didn’t know Joey personally so he requested Mrs. Tirso Cruz III (Lyn Ynchausti) to talk to the writer-director. Joey was no Erap or Jinggoy fan, but just the same he accepted, nay grabbed, the chance as it was a dream project, as earlier noted.

“I misjudged Jinggoy,” Joey tells the movie press. “Working with him turned out to be a great pleasure. Jinggoy is a very kind and considerate and understanding producer. Ang pagkain namin pagkain din ng crew. Given the chance, I want to work with him again.”

Is Katas a sad movie, a tearjerker?

“Not at all,” says Joey, adding that Katas is very entertaining. “After all, Filipinos find humor even in the most trying situations. Tatawa ang mga manonood, pero sa huli maluluha rin sila. May kirot sa puso.”

Of course, Lorna is already a tested actress, a grand slam awardee for Narito ang Puso Ko. But Joey assured that Jinggoy is just as effective in his role as Oca Dimaano, the contemporary Juan de la Cruz.

Possibly the Metro Manila filmfest’s Best Actor?

“Why not, puedeng-puede. See the movie and be convinced,” assured Joey.

Katas is produced by Maverick Films, with Willy Urbino as production designer, Lito “Itok” Mempin, cinematographer, Adiss Tabong, sound supervisor, Jesse Lucas, musical director, Renewin Alano, editor and Charyl Chan-de Guzman, associate producer.

After the Metro filmfest, Jinggoy plans to show Katas in the Middle East, the US and other cities where there are large Filipino communities. They surely can relate to the story and characters, led by Oca Dimaano and his wife Mercy, the Mr. & Mrs. Juan de la Cruz of modern times.

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