‘Mamasapano: Now It Can Be Told’ debuts on Netflix
Lawyer Ferdinand "Ferdie" Topacio took the risk of producing his first action film, "Mamasapano: Now It Can Be Told," which garnered several awards during the 2022 Metro Manila Film Festival.
Topacio is just getting started in sharing his vision through creating quality films and helping more people in the entertainment industry.
During an intimate media conference at the Valle Verde Country Club in Pasig City last Nov. 27. Atty. Topacio announced that his film "Mamasapano" will debut on Netflix starting Dec. 1.
''Pakisuportahan po natin ngayong Dec. 1, the debut streaming of Mamasapano sa netflix in all territories po tayo. Yun po ang usapan namin ni Netflix, and kung mapapansin niyo may billboard na kami ngayon sa Edsa, Cubao and we have another one sa Guadalupe," Topacio said.
(Please support us on Dec. 1, the debut streaming of Mamasapano on Netflix in all territories. That's the deal we had with Netflix, and if you notice, we now have a billboard on
Edsa in Cubao and another one in Guadalupe.)
"Mamasapano" tells the tragic story of the 44 elite Special Action Force (SAF) troopers of the Philippine National Police (PNP) who sacrificed their lives to neutralize international terrorists in Mamasapano, Maguindanao on Jan. 25, 2015.
Topacio also shared that pitching the film was challenging for them since the story is highly political.
"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, 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.
(When we reached out to Netflix to offer the movie, initially, they had issues because it is a highly political movie; we won't deny that, but then we talked to them and explained to them that this is an important movie and the critics also agreed with us)
Director Lester Dimaranan said streaming his film on a big platform was an opportunity of a lifetime.
"Grateful po kaming buong team ng Borracho, kasi hindi lang po ito sa pilipinas mapapanod," Director Lester said.
(The whole Borracho team and I are grateful because it's not just people in the Philippines who will get to watch the film but also people across the country.)
New phase
From making movies to building a new phase in the entertainment scene, Topacio and his team will officially welcome their roster of talents under Borracho Artists and Talents.
Under the helm of Dennis Arce as the head of Talent Development, Fiona Phoebe, Tala Zaldiver, Stella Blanca, Luna Bella, Anya Koh, and the comeback actress Barbara Milano have exclusively signed their contract.
At the contract signing, Barbara shared how happy she was to be coming back to the showbiz scene.
''Sabi ko kay pareng Ferdie, gusto kong bumalik sa pag-aartista, namimiss ko yung mga press, yung ginagawa sa akin ng press, yung nagsasama sama tuwing may okasyon, yun talaga ang namimiss ko," Barbara said.
After leaving showbiz in 2004, Barbara became a public servant, becoming the number one councilor in Talavera, Nueva Ecija. She decided to run again for another term in 2007 but unfortunately didn't make it. Barbara said she is excited about what lies ahead in showbiz.
Barbara was known for her sexy roles in the movies Favorite Subject: Sex Education (1999), Masarap Habang Mainit (2000), Tikim (2001), Kaulayaw (2002), Eskandalosa (2002), Biglang Liko (2002), Sex Files (2002), Biyahera (2002), at Virgin People III (2002). (Carissa Alcantara)