'Brillante Mendoza Presents: Pagtatapos' is a film made for TV directed by Brillante Mendoza and written by Jericho Aguado. (Photo : YouTube/Carlo Valenzona)
The third episode of "Brillante Mendoza Presents" titled "Pagtatapos" (Graduation) is airing on TV5 on April 22, Saturday, at 9:30 p.m. Its cast is led by award-winning actors Nonie Buencamino, Shamaine Buencamino and Raquel Villavicencio.
Directed by Brillante Mendoza, "Pagtatapos" was written by Jericho Aguado, who himself is about to graduate from college. Bing Lao, the Father of Found Story, was the script consultant.
In time for the graduation season in the Philippines, "Pagtatapos" is about Shaira Torres (Gabby Padilla), who is on her final year in the Philippine High School for the Arts (PHSA)- Makiling. While dealing with her family problems, she directs her thesis about the Maria Makiling legend told through a Pangalay dance routine.
"'Pagtatapos' aims to explore common problems that weigh upon today's teenagers," Aguado said in a statement. "I chose PHSA-Makiling as the setting because the students there are highly expressive and I wanted to know how they use their art to overcome their internal struggles."
Nonie and Shamaine, a real-life couple, play Shaira's parents Raymond Torres and Helen Torres in "Pagtatapos." When Helen left, Shaira became disconnected from Raymond, leading the daughter to the dark side of her psyche while channeling Maria Makiling (Joni Galeste), who is hurt by a lost love according to the legends.
In real life, Nonie and Shamaine lost their daughter Julia Buencamino to suicide in 2015. Julia was only 15.
On the big screen, Nonie starred in internationally acclaimed films "Barber's Tales" by Jun Lana and "Heneral Luna" by Jerrold Tarog. In 2016, he and Shamaine starred in "Ang Babaeng Humayo" (The Woman Who Left) by Lav Diaz.
Shamaine won Best Supporting Actress at Asian Film Awards in 2012 for her performance in "Niño" by Loy Arenas. In 2015, she was nominated for Best Actress at Asia Pacific Screen Awards for her performance in "Lorna" by Sigrid Andrea Bernardo but she lost to "Sweet Bean" actress Kirin Kiki.
Like Nonie and Shamaine, Villavincencio is one of the most respected actors in the Philippines. She will play Shaira's teacher, Ms. Angeli, in "Pagtatapos."
Joining Nonie, Shamaine, Villavicencio, Padilla and Galeste in the cast of "Pagtatapos" are Nonoy Froilan as Sir Melvin, Vim Nadera as Mr. Pineda and Olivia Bugayong as Ina. Watch the trailer here:
