Metro Manila – Director BC Amparado advocates the ethical use of medicinal marijuana through the film, Gulay Lang, Manong, a full-length film in competition at the 2024 Cinemalya.
Amparado hopes that the film will open the conversation to drumbeat the passage of the medical marijuana bill.
“The goal is to break the stigma and misunderstanding around medical cannabis in the Philippines. This is not only a story about a plant but a narrative on resilience and the pursuit of a new medical hope for individuals in need.”
Gulay Lang, Manong is about a struggling farmer Pilo Sabado, who finds himself entangled in a complex web of circumstances when his grandson Ricky gets caught up in the cannabis trade with his friend Razer.
Cast of the movie include Cedrick Juan, Perry Dizon, BJ Tolits Forbes, Ranzel, Dong Abay and Lui Manansala.
Juan said the movie will highlight the multitude who needs to medicinal marijuana and hopefully open the eyes of the public to this emerging advocacy.
Amparado began his filmmaking journey over a decade ago by joining local film festivals. Hailing from Angeles City in Pampanga, the filmmaker has deep fascination with his hometown’s melting pot of cultures, geographical features and its diverse people. He has worked as producer for a local regional TV station, and as a writer and director for a homegrown production house. He has participated in various film festivals and competitions such as Gawad Alternatibo, Singkuwento Film Festival, CineKabalen, SineKabataan, and Precious Pelikula. Alongside his hustle in a corporate day job and his responsibilities as head of a family, he persists in his filmmaking by joining workshops by Direk Erik Matti and Direk Jason Paul Laxamana. He is an alumnus (Batch 26) of National Artist Ricky Lee’s scriptwriting workshop. “Gulay lang, Manong!” is his first feature film. Amparado voices out his advocacies of uplifting humanity, social justice and order through cinema.
“As a filmmaker, I connect deeply with the personal stories of the characters. As a father, I can relate with other parents that cry for the legalization of cannabis. I can feel their suffering whenever they see their loved ones under discomfort. I can also see through their eyes the relief and the genuine happiness whenever cannabis takes effect. The characters are based on real life people whose lives have been deeply affected by cannabis.”
To date, the Senate committee report on the legalization of cannabis as medicine has been signed by 13 senators, the bill sponsored by Sen. Robinhood Padilla recognizes the medicinal quality of marijuana and seeks the establishment of a Philippine Medical Cannabis Authority under the Department of Health. Maria Elena Catajan
