- Bakwit Boys has been Graded A by the Cinema Evaluation Board.
- The cast and the creative staff shared why Bakwit Boys is socially relevant and inspiring.
- The musical film features an original soundtrack.
Bakwit Boys, a romantic musical entry in the 2018 Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino, is the latest movie from writer-director Jason Paul Laxamana who also made the blockbuster 100 Tula Para Kay Stella and T-Rex Entertainment, the producer of the hit comedies Deadma Walking and Patay Na si Hesus.
It has been graded A by the Cinema Evaluation Board and is set to play in cinemas nationwide from August 15-21.
The inspiring movie brings together the break-out artists in the biz: rising actress Devon Seron; stage heartthrob Vance Larena; noontime TV idols Ryle Santiago and Nikko Natividad; and singing champion Mackie Empuerto in a tale about four brothers and the dreamer who motivates them.
Bakwit Boys focuses on the story of a family band who was forced to move from Isabela all the way to Pampanga after a super typhoon wrecked their hometown. While taking refuge in their grandfather’s distant farmland and with their musical pursuits being put on hold, the Datul brothers, who make songs together as the family band “Bakwit Boys,” put their musical talents to good use.
The eldest brother, Elias (Vance Larena), is the band vocalist together with the youngest, Sonny (Mackie Empuerto), while Joey (Ryle Santiago) plays the guitar and Philip (Nikko Natividad) composes their songs. Not wanting to burden their grandfather, they agree to perform their original song in a town fiesta to earn some cash. Their performance eventually impresses Rose (Devon Seron), a rich city girl who is passionate for music, and who then offers to help the boys record their songs and have them played on the radio. Individual interests and personal conflicts test their unity as a family and a band, as they struggle to make sense of life’s ironies and tragedies.
During the film’s media con, the cast shared why they were specifically drawn to being part of Bakwit Boys.
“Na-inspire ako sa istorya at sa mga kanta,” says Devon. “Nakakaiyak… kaya eager ako na gawin ang film.” For Ryle, a member of the boy group Hashtags of the top-rating program It’s Showtime, the movie is a tribute to the hardworking people in the music industry. He says, “Being a musician is an underrated profession but what they do is important. Songs express the sentiments of the youth.”
Vance declares that viewers will truly identify with the struggles of the brothers to stick together as they try to rise from poverty. He says, “Noong nabasa ko ang script at napanood ko na ang kabuuan, nakita ko na maraming makaka-relate dito.” Direk Jason Paul reiterates, “Bakwit Boys is about family, it is about the underdogs and about dreamers. We hope that the movie will have viewers singing—and crying tears of joy—until the credits roll and until they step out of the cinema.”
The movie features six original songs by composer Jhaye Cura: “Ligtas Ka Na,” “Fiona,” “High On You,” “Patibong,” “Tayong Dalawa,” and “Kung ‘Di Ikaw.” The pop versions of the songs “Patibong” sung by Jay R and “Fiona” sung by Mark Oblea are now available on Spotify and other digital music stores. To be released soon are the pop renditions by Ice Seguerra and Sean Oliver.
Also in the movie’s cast are Alma Concepcion, Nanding Josef, Jeric Raval, Michael “Eagle” Riggs, with special appearances by Sebastian Castro, Cai Cortez, Kiray Celis and Albie Casiño.
For updates on Bakwit Boys, check out @prodsthatmatter on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
