Marcos Mamay, Nunungan, Lanao del Norte Mayor and League of Municipalities of the Philippines National Vice-President for External, is humbly revered in the Philippines as one of the country’s most transformative and inspirational figures for peace and development among Christians and Muslim brothers. But setting aside all the awards he received throughout his career as a public servant, he is also a fearless advocate for all people’s rights and dignity, especially in fighting family feuds and ridos.
His rich and challenging life experiences thus far have inspired the proud Mindanaoan and his family to bring to the big screen his biopic in the hopes of moving more people toward his advocacies. Titled “Lanao: The Marcos Mamay Story,” the movie has the multi-awarded writer-director Neal “Buboy” Tan at the helm.
“Ang story ko kasi napaka-inspiring. Simula pagkabata, pinanganak tayo na nasa marginalized sector, pinanganak tayong mahirap, malaki ang pamilya. Sa lahat ng 15 na magkakapatid ako lang ang nakatapos dahil sa kahirapan. Sinasabi ko nga kung hindi lang ako scholar sa university hindi ako makakatapos,” Mamay, who went to the Philippine Military Academy and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Economics at the Mindanao State University, shared in a media conference.
“Sa storya dito, napapaloob yung rido or family feud. Ubusan ng lahi wherein yung ibang tribo nagaaway-away. Gusto namin itong ma-highlight para malaman ng iba, lalo na sa mga estudyante, kung ano ang ibig sabihin nito.”
The mayor continued, “Maliit pa ako nararanasan ko na yung putukan. Sa tenga namin dumadaan yung mga bala. Pagdating kasi namin ng 18 years old pwede na kaming idamay kaya kailangan ko nang lumuwas para makatapos ng pagaaral,” he added.
Approving the cast, actor Jeric Raval is set to play the main character with Noble Queen of the Universe Grand Winner Patricia Javier as Mamay’s wife. Also in the cast as the mayor’s eldest is actor and social media influencer Ron Angeles as Daniel. Seasoned actor Polo Ravales portrays the role of Greg, the Mamays rival, with Ali Forbes as Delga, Greg’s ex-girlfriend.
The young Marcos will be portrayed by John Arsenas, with veteran actor Julio Diaz as his father and Liz Alindogan as his mother.
“Ang dahilan bakit si Jeric Raval ang kinuha namin kasi napaka appropriate at nababagay sa kanya ang role. Kasi unang-una, action star, may putukan, labanan at saka marami kasing part sa movie na ito ay about family, bakbakan, pagiging kadete ko na nababagay din sa kanya. Dumaan ito sa maraming process and finally napapayag namin si Jeric Raval,” said Mamay of his screen representation.
Asked how he is preparing for the role, Raval enthused, “Once na action star ka, hindi naman nawawala ang ensayo. In fact, sa serye namin na ‘The Iron Heart,’ nag-e-ensayo kami dahil puro fight scenes din doon so tuloy-tuloy lang hanggang dito.”
The actor added, “Gagayahin natin dito si Mayor Mamay – yung looks, yung mannerisms. Pinagaaralan ko na nga yung tantalizing eyes niya eh.”
Besides the action scenes, director Buboy Tan guaranteed that audiences will be inspired by Mamay’s stories of honor, dignity, family ties, kinship and peace.
“Definitely may mga action scenes dito. In fact, yun ang isa sa mga highlights. Bata pa lang kasi sila kasama na siya sa mga barilan. Aside from that, kasama din yung pagpasok niya sa pulitika. Si Mayor din kasi ang nag-initiate para matapos na ang mga clan wars,” explained Tan.
“Pero hindi lang puro action ito. May love story din pero isa sa mga highlights na nagpa-inspire sa akin talaga ay yung pag graduate niya ng college, dahil sa hirap ng buhay sa Lanao. Nagpunta siya sa Cagayan de Oro at naging tindero siya ng ukay-ukay. Nakapaloob doon maraming struggles but from there, inencourage siya maging mayor. Biruin mo nakapagpatayo siya ng mga eskwelahan, talagang marami siyang nagawa after ng humble beginnings niya,” he added.
In the end, one might think that Mamay has other intentions as to why he wants a biopic in his 40s. But Tan insisted, “Tinanong ko kung may agenda siya bakit niya ito gagawin, wala naman pala dahil last term na din naman niya. Kaya sabi ko gawin na namin dahil maraming makaka-relate at very inspiring talaga.”
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