As of writing, Mamasapano: The Untold Story is at the number one spot on Netflix. Lester Dimaranan’s historical action movie, produced by celebrity lawyer Ferdie Topacio’s production house Borracho Films, tells the real-life events that led to the death of the SAF 44, or the 44 elite Special Action Force troops who died on their mission during the Mamasapano clash in 2015.
The movie premiered 1 December on Netflix in all territories and, according to Topacio, will stay on the streaming giant for one year.
At a recent presscon held in Pasig City, Topacio shared how the award-winning film — starring Edu Manzano, Paolo Gumabao and Aljur Abrenica — landed on Netflix.
“When we reached out to Netflix to offer the movie, initially may mga issues sila kasi nga highly political movie. Hindi naman namin ipagkakaila yun (They had issues because it’s a highly political movie. We don’t deny that). But then we talked to them and explained to them na this is an important movie and the critics also agreed with us,” he added.
At last year’s Metro Manila Film Festival, Mamasapano won four awards — Second Best Film, Best Screenplay (by Eric Ramos), Best Original Theme Song and the Fernando Poe Jr. Memorial Award.
“It’s a multi-awarded movie and I’m so proud of it,” shared Topacio. “Kahit lugi, okay lang naman ‘yun. Matagal pa naman tayo sa industry (Even if we lost money, that’s okay. We intend to stay long in the industry). As you know, it garnered awards at the Metro Manila Film Festival. Na-nominate din ang theme song sa EDDYs, ‘yung Entertainment Editors’ Choice.”
Topacio also mentioned that Mamasapano received nominations at the 2023 Luna Awards, given annually by the Film Academy of the Philippines to recognize outstanding achievements in the Filipino film industry.
FAP, which went on a two-year break beginning 2020, is the official local counterpart of the United States’ Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
At the same presscon, Topacio announced the further expansion of Borracho Films, which is focused on producing Filipino films in a wide range of genres. It is currently open to directors and actors who wish to join the production house’s growing pool of creatives.
Hands-on
The ebullient lawyer is very hands-on in his movie projects, visiting the set and enduring discomforts to get his movies right.
The shoot for Spring in Prague (starring Paolo Gumabao and Czech actress Sara Sandeva) was memorable for the lawyer, since he suffered from temperatures that dropped to negative 10 degrees.
Other Borracho projects currently in development include a story about a child with autism, again to be penned by Ramos; and a movie titled Pa-in. Another movie, Thy Kingdom Come, will tell the story of Apollo Quiboloy, the founding leader and Executive Pastor of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ.
Borracho is also planning to make documentary films, such as one on former NPA rebels and another one on the Plaza Miranda bombing.
At the presscon, Topacio also officially introduced the new talents under the Borracho Talent Agency Management, who all signed an exclusive contract with his house: Fiona Phoebe, Tala Zaldiver, Stella Blanca, Luna Bella, Anya Koh and ‘90s-to-early-2000s sexy star Barbara Milano, who is making a comeback.
Topacio, who has a fervent passion for movies (he excitedly shared and promoted movies from other production houses, including a recent favorite of his, Shake, Rattle & Roll Extreme), said he is focused on churning out proudly Pinoy quality films and not that concerned about taking home trophies.
“You don’t have to win. You just have to be gratified by the fact that people are recognizing that you are making quality movies,” he said.