A Waray director in Chito Roño's footsteps

When the 2012 Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival opens at the CCP, I guess that people will be keeping an eye on Ang Katiwala (The Caretaker) even if most, if not all, the entries are worthwhile. In fact, the annual Cinemalaya has become the filmfest to look forward to because, unlike the annual Metro Manila Filmfest which is noted for “commercial” entries, those in Cinemalaya are perceived to be “of quality” and that must be the reason why this year’s event has attracted big so-called “mainstream” actors to participate even if, so I heard, they didn’t get their usual “A-list” talent fees.

Back to Ang Katiwala…

The film is the second directorial work of Aloy Adlawan who not only wrote and directed it but also produced it. Aloy made Meryll Soriano win Best Actress for her role as a prostitute in Room Boy (with Polo Ravales in the title role), his debut at the Cinemalaya, and then Lovi Poe for Mayohan, his second Cinemalaya outing as a producer. Will Dennis Trillo, who plays the title role in Ang Katiwala duplicate Meryll and Lovi’s achievement?

“When I wrote the story,” said Aloy, “I had no other actor for the role but Dennis.”

Here’s how the plot goes: Dennis as Ruben loses his job as a carpenter in a small town in Zambales where he lives with his wife (played by Althea Vega) and their 10-year-old son (Miggs Cuaderno). Desperate to make ends meet, he accepts a job as caretaker of an abandoned property in Quezon City and soon finds out that the previous owner (Pres. Manuel L. Quezon) of the house is an important figure in the country’s history. Ruben becomes so fascinated with the former owner that soon, he seems to be possessed by the soul of what he now considers his new hero.

Being a Waray (from Northern Samar), I’m happy for Aloy because he’s the first from that region to be following in the footsteps of Chito Roño (whose latest work is Star Cinema’s The Healing with Vilma Santos), so far the only Waray (from Calbayog City, Eastern Samar) who has made it big as a director.

A chemical engineer by profession, Aloy hails from Laoang, Northern Samar (where Congressman Emil Ong also comes from). After working in what he described as “the corporate world,” he ventured into film by initially winning a 1994 Palanca Award for screenplay. He has won several more awards since then including for the screenplays for Ang Babae sa Burol, Ang Mga Ibon sa Dapithapon, Padyak and Si Lolo Tasyo at Ang Araw. In 2005, he was among the finalists of the first Cinemalaya (for Room Boy, that is).

Aloy is also one of the most sought-after writers in the horror genre and his works along this line include Ouija, Signos, 3 Days of Darkness, T2 (directed by Chito Roño), Condo, Aswang and the Punerarya episode of Shake, Rattle & Roll 12.

“I’m happy playing a role that is out-of-the-box,” said Dennis, adding that he’s “honored” and “flattered” that he’s Aloy’s one and only choice for the role. “Napaka-daming puedeng gawin sa character.”

It’s a role that, according to Dennis (whose acting talent got noticed when he won three Best Actor awards for his role as a transvestite in Aishite Imasu, a Regal movie), that seldom comes his way in “mainstream” cinema.

“Nakakadismaya nga na pare-pareho ang roles na nakukuha ko sa ‘mainstream’,” added Dennis. “Sa indie, nakakatuwa that often, a ‘different’ role is offered to you. Katiwala is a quiet film. For example, in a scene, direk Aloy only made me act with my eyes, no dialogue, and it turned out to be very effective. I’m used to working with him. He has written the screenplays of maybe three of my films but it’s the first time that he’s directing me.”

Ang Katiwala (The Caretaker) will have its gala premiere on July 25 (Wednesday), 6:15 p.m. at the CCP Main Theater. Other playdates: July 21, 12:45 p.m. at the CCP MKP Hall and 9 p.m. at Greenbelt 3 (Cinema 3); July 22, 6:30 p.m. at Greenbelt 3 (Cinema 5); July 23, 3:30 p.m. at the CCP Studio Theater; July 24, 3:30 p.m. at the CCP Main Theater and 9 p.m. in Trinoma; July 25, 1:30 p.m. at Greenbelt 3 (Cinema 5); July 26, 9 p.m. at CCP Main Theater; July 27, 1:30 p.m. at Greenbelt 3 (Cinema 3) and 6:15 p.m. at CCP MKP Hall; July 28, 4 p.m. in Trinoma and 9 p.m. at CCP Studio Theater; and July 29, 1:30 p.m. at Greenbelt 3 (Cinema 5).

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