The other side of Mamasapano

 Baron Geisler plays lead role in new Brillante Mendoza movie

 By Earl D.C. Bracamonte 

"Moro," the latest film of Brillante Mendoza, is exclusively streamed on Netflix starting July 19. 

The film topbills award-winning actors Laurice Guillen,  Piolo Pascual, and Baron Geisler; together with Christopher de Leon and Joel Torre.

In this movie, Baron plays middle sibling to elder brother Piolo Pascual and younger sister Ina Feleo.

"Small things become big because they were not threshed out in the earliest possible time," shared the Cebu-based actor on the conflicts in the story.

Cameo performances come from Beauty Gonzales, Nikki Valdez, Felix Roco, Alvin Anson, Rolando Inocencio, Dido dela Paz, Kirst Viray, and Onyl Torres.

"This film was shot in 2019, a few months before the global.pandemic. Some aspects of the production were halted during the lock downs.

"I consider this my first big break because this project landed on my lap right after my rehabilitation program. Direk Brillante gave me the role of the elder brother at first, which is a supporting role, with Piolo playing the lead role of the younger brother. But his hectic schedule did not sync with the shooting schedule of his character's scenes.

"So Direk Brillante swapped our roles and I had to rehearse Piolo's lines and dialogue. And I thank him so very much for being gracious in giving me his role. It was the start of bigger projects coming my way," Baron confessed.

From Centerstage Productions, this film is written, directed and produced by Brillante Mendoza.

"I'm deeply touched by the film's portrayal of the events surrounding the gruesome Mamasapano incident that happened in Maguindanao Province sometime in 2015. I commend the entire team for their dedication to presenting a more balanced and thoughtful narrative that sheds light on the complexities and realities faced by diverse communities in our country.

"Your commitment to showcasing fairness, justice, and the perspective of both Muslims and non-Muslims affected by the tragedy is truly commendable," enthused Yusoph Mando, former commissioner of the National Commission on Muslim.Filipinos, who was also present at the film's preview at the Vctoria Sports Tower Cinema in Quezon City.