$500,000-budget indie film shot in Angeles City

Kapampangan filmmaker Brillante "Dante" Mendoza is done shooting all of the scenes for Serbis. Shot in the Family Theater of Brgy. San Nicolas, Angeles City, the film involves Kapampangan-Ilocano-Tagalog characters. Thus, expect a trilingual, realistic, artistic film!

I supported the production of the film as local/talent coordinator and Script Supervisor. It was also my responsibility to assign tasks to OJTs, including my friend Diego.

I was surprised to see Jaclyn Jose speaking and understanding Kapampangan. Turns out she was raised in Angeles City and even studied elementary at Sto. Rosario Elementary School.

The best part of my job, me being a Kapampangan culture and language advocate, is translating Tagalog lines to Kapampangan for non-Kapampangan talents. Plus, even though Ms. Jaclyn speaks Kapampangan, she still consults me every now and then.

It was hard making sure non-Kapampangan talents deliver their Kapampangan lines like real Kapampangans, but I nevertheless enjoyed searching for strategies.

For example, Instead of translating "Talo si Ate Nayda?" into "Sambut ya i Atsing Nayda?" I write it down as "Sambuchay ching Nayda?" Instead of "E ke ikit," I make the talent read "Keykit." It makes it easier for non-Kapampangans to sound authentic.

Being the producer of RocKapampangan, I also am happy with the fact that Nora Aunor Fans' Club's Kaplas song was used in one of the scenes (with Julio Diaz).

Here is PDI's article on the upcoming film.

RP indie gets $500,000 deal
By Marinel Cruz
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Posted date: March 26, 2008

MANILA, Philippines—Award-winning indie filmmaker Dante Mendoza recently inked a co-production deal with the French outfit Swift Distribution to finance his latest film titled “Serbis,” Inquirer Entertainment learned on Monday.

The French sales company will pay a portion of the film’s $500,000 production cost, said Mendoza, who is also a co-producer under his CenterStage Production outfit. This is Swift’s first foray into movie production.

A third company, which the director refused to identify, will shoulder another part of the production cost.

“Serbis” (or “Service”), the story of boys who offer sexual services inside movie houses, features multi-awarded actress Gina Pareño and young actors Kristofer King and Coco Martin. It is written by Boots Agbayani Pastor (“Masahista,” “Kaleldo”), with Bing Lao as creative consultant.

In an interview with ScreenDaily.com, Swift founder Didier Costet said he found the story “highly original.” Costet and Mendoza confirmed the deal at the recently concluded 6th Hong Kong Film Market.

Set in a run-down porn theater, the film about male prostitution will also feature real-life service boys. The 11-day shoot in Angeles City, Pampanga, began on March 21.

Swift is also the distributor of Mendoza’s “Masahista” and “Tirador” in France.

Gina Pareno and Coco Martin rehearsing a scene.

Aurel Ayson, Assistant Director. Also a Kapampangan.


Ma'am Ofelia Gueco and Ma'am Gina Diaz of Holy Angel University as nuns.


Limbun - our first day of shooting.