Ang Wig Ni Happiness

We were chilling at the Starbucks. I was sipping my coffee but my eyes were still exploring the face of my ” Ka-date” while thinking of a topic to start a more serious conversation. As she cleared her mouth by her tongue after slurping a hot cappuccino, she started talking.

"So what about this Ang Wig Ni Happiness thingy?"

A supposedly romantic date turned into a press junket-like conversation.So she threw a lot of questions about it that are worth sharing.

How did you conceptualize the story?

Coffee shops. Comedy shows and a script writing app. These three major factors helped me to finish the construction of the story. The PeeMak ( Mario Maurer) , Thailand’s top grossing comedy horror film, inspired me to create this thing. The fun and horror factors in Peemak has given me an idea to do comedy and the genre I have been doing in MFF - Horror. Combining the two genres would be an even more challenging.

Why the gay stand-up comedians?

The film is not the first project that I and the stage performers do as a team. I have directed malls shows and other events and they were my hosts. I am their number 1 fan too. The attitude and characterization are already inside them as performers. As I started writing the story, I thought of them immediately. When they all agreed, I presented to them their dialogues and shooting schedules. To make it easier for them to personify their characters on the film, I consider their works as stand-up comedians and screen names as part in the story so we would not need to recreate another character. Kenita is Kenita, Bebang is Bebang.

I believe their talents are in demand, how did you manage your shooting schedules.

Toxic. Each of us has to adjust given that they have other commitments ( shows outside Davao) Good thing, I started shooting earlier.

It must have been so tiresome on your part as the writer and director, so who helped you in the production? Your crew?

Due to lack of budget, I could not afford to hire a professional cameramen with their high-end gadgets. I have two production assistants.A make-up artist and a sequence checker. I do the camera works also but there were scenes that I need to rent some stuffs and technical person to assist me. I am glad that these people are just one ‘PM’ away.

What made you think of Artica Sports Dome as one of the location?

Perfect place for creepy scenes. There are real horror stories from the government behind it from how and who built it, I just wanted to maximize spots in Davao City that fit to any filmmaking concept. After all, spot like this dome could at least lessen the budget requirement the production has.

Speaking of budget, who financed this project?

I think if you are honest and do good things, people will just lend you a hand to help once you needed it. Kisan Lu Lands Inc, where I am regularly working as an Advertising officer, has been giving me support financially just to feed the hungry stomach of the prod team. Waka Uy, of Waka Lending Investors, a facebook friend of mine provided us relief also during the down time of the production. FarEast Rent a Car provided me 1 starex for the transportation for free. I am blessed that people trusted me not just as a filmmaker but as a person. Here are the list of the companies who supplied us relief goods :)

R.A Hao Foundation. MM Marble Construction Supply, Your Ever Photo Studios, Jenson Land, Rain or Shine,

Wow, so I assume you will be earning a lot

There is no money-earning in indie filmmaking specially when you are still building up your name in the industry. Most of the time its win-loss scenario. In this experience, I do not count the losses. Materializing the story I have been writing is already an achievement. The self contentment is too high. There may be people who helped but that doesn’t mean it covers the total expenses. Me as an entrant must allot some amount from my pocket and that is normal. Passion is expensive but I could not do something about it for it is so addictive.

Passion, which is enliven by a creative imagination, what is the significance of this AWNHappiness?

To teach both men and gays. That men should not take advantage on gays whose feelings are so sensitive in terms of love and acceptance. That men should learn that gays are men too.On the other hand,gays should always reserve more spaces for themselves for them to fight the depression when case like this happens.The horror scenes in the film symbolize the consequence of a we-have-the-wrong-love-at-the-wrong-time kind of relationship showing how big and tough they would need to surpass.

After all, this is comedy. Sorry to cut you, can I order a cake?

Sure but before you cut this topic, I want you to know that I wanted to produce something that I haven’t tried before. Comedy is the most challenging genre since you have to capture the tickle points of your audience. That challenged me to write a script for this movie. There are thousands of rooms of improvement here. This is the first. I can see flaws but soon enough I would be learning from it.

Ok then, I am also proud being one of your stars in Ang Wig Ni Happiness. One moment…

She left me for a second to order a cake. Yes, she is Jona Gegremosa. The ghost in the film. My ex-girlfriend. Above all these achievements and challenges of Ang Wig Ni Happiness project, the most challenging one is to win her heart again. Through this film, we will try to save the broken romance we have started. Good luck to me. Hehe.

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