A noble mission

MANILA, Philippines — How a journalist’s experience in the hands of terrorists inspired him to direct & produce Marawi Siege Story

He may not be the first journalist to become a filmmaker, but it’s an unconventional path that Cesar Soriano is more than happy to take.

The Mindanaoan TV journo makes his full-length film, first directorial job and first film-producing effort (under GreatCzar Media Productions) in Ang Misyon: A Marawi Siege Story, now showing in theaters.

Ang Misyon is the first film to be done about the five-month armed conflict that saw government forces battling for the liberation of the Islamic City of Marawi from Maute-ISIS terrorists. It’s been a year since the Marawi siege first gripped the nation on May 23, 2017.

According to Soriano, Ang Misyon is a story that hopes to give importance to lives that perished, especially the soldiers and civilians, and the lives that continue to be affected one year after, the persisting threat of terrorism and at the same time, the heroism of those who are fighting against this menace.

The cast is led by Martin Escudero, who plays a true-to-life character, a Muslim nurse who lives a double life as spy for the Maute-ISIS. 

Asked why he decided to do a film on the Battle of Marawi, Soriano told The STAR, “I was a kidnap victim (by the Abu Sayyaf) before (back in the ’90s). I suffered in the hands of the terrorists. I want to tell people na napakaraming dapat ayusin dahil hanggang ngayon pinipilit natin matupad yung pinapangarap nating kapayapaan (I want to tell people that there are so many things that need to be fixed because up to now, we are still working on what we have always aspired for, which is to achieve peace). Through the film, we have explained how difficult it is to live in such a complicated place.”

His experience reporting on and from Mindanao somehow puts him at a vantage point to tell this story. “Having been the Mindanao bureau chief of ABS-CBN before, I was a witness to this war, the recruitment (of terrorists) and everything, gusto kong first-hand talagang ma-supervise kung papaano ma-present yung tunay para sa sambayanang Pilipino. (I wanted to have a first-hand experience in supervising the presentation of what is true to the Filipino people).”

From left: Director Cesar Soriano, AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr. with his family, and Martin

Ang Misyon: A Marawi Siege Story had its premiere last May 25 at the Dolphy Theater. The film is being distributed by ABS-CBN Films’ CineScreen. Officials from the Armed Forces of the Philippines, headed by their Chief of Staff, Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr., attended the premiere. To those who closely followed the coverage on the Marawi siege, Gen. Galvez was one of the more prominent military leaders on the ground and who played a key role in the ending of the siege. The officials were present because proceeds of the film will go to the wounded soldiers and the so-called bakwits or the Internal Displaced Persons (IDPs) of Marawi City.

Gen. Galvez expressed his gratitude during the presscon, “This is one narrative that can explore ano talaga ang nangyayari sa (what is really happening in) Mindanao. Nakita po natin ang kabayanihan ng ating mga sundalo (We have seen the heroism of our soldiers). Two days ago, we commemorated the bravery of our soldiers and we also visited the IDPs. Nagpapasalamat po ang Armed Forces of the Philippines and the PNP na at least binigyan po ng buhay kung ano ang nangyari sa Marawi.”   

Other cast members, including Juan Miguel Soriano, Tanya Gomez, China Roces and Darius Razon, attend the premiere held at ABS-CBN’s Dolphy Theater

For his part, Martin said that the Marawi siege is already an important part of the country’s history that should not be forgotten.

Ang Misyon’s mission, he also said, is to open viewers’ minds to what’s happening in the world and in other people’s lives, especially fellow Filipinos who are isolated and far from assistance, help and the news, and that “we need to give attention” to these things.

Preparing for his role was a long process, Martin said, as he studied the Q’uran, studied the Muslim culture, the ways of living, the language, the accent, and “how they pray to Allah.”

The cast members were guided by Imams from the Muslim community in Quiapo, which is also home to the Golden Mosque, considered the largest mosque in Metro Manila.

The film also stars Rez Cortez, Lou Veloso, Jordan Castillo, Tanya Gomez, Darius Razon, Tim Sawyer, Cloyd Robinson, Mia Mendiola, Jack Falcis, Bong Russo, Chamberlaine Uy, Al Flores, John Michael Wagnon, China Roces, and introducing Juan Miguel Soriano.