Janella Salvador, RK Bagatsing and director Catsi Catalan unveil the poster for their movie "Fleeting," an entry to the 2025 Puregold Cinepanalo Festival, February 28, 2025 at the Gateway Mall in Quezon City. Photo courtesy of Wence Trajano
MANILA — Janella Salvador and RK Bagatsing unveiled on Friday the poster for their film "Fleeting," an official entry to this year's Puregold Cinepanalo Festival.
Directed by Catsi Catalan, Fleeting tells the story of Gem (Salvador), who is described as "all hustle and grit." She moves to Mati, Davao Oriental to chase a childhood dream, in the process meeting JC (Bagatsing), a "wealthy, easygoing cafe owner."
It is the first indie project for Salvador, who says she is "super excited" to embrace a new challenge through the movie.
"I've actually had this hunger to do something more, in terms of film," Salvador told ABS-CBN News during Friday's poster reveal at a Quezon City mall. "I wanna do more. I wanna make good films. I wanna explore different genres, and I wanna do indie films as well. So sobrang perfect na dumating 'to."
The film is "a love letter to our youth," according to Salvador, while also a showcase of Mati, the capital city of Davao Oriental.
"I think it's the first time na merong nag-shoot na pelikula sa Mati. And we're excited kung gaano kaganda at kabait 'yung mga tao doon," said Bagatsing. "More than the place, the beach, 'yung mga magagandang tanawin, it's really the people na gusto naming makilala ng mga tao doon sa pelikula."
Mati provides the backdrop for the "meaningful romance" between Gem and JC, and the movie's teaser shows a brief clip of Salvador and Bagatsing on the beach, carrying surfboards.
That they can shine a spotlight on Mati is important to the cast and to Catalan, a first-time director.
"It is an under-represented town. Marami akong nakanood ng film, na ang unang reaksyon nila, may lugar palang ganito. So it is an honor to be the first film to be shot in this town," Catalan told ABS-CBN News.
"I love traveling talaga and so it's nice that I'll be able to do a film that will promote Mati," said Salvador, for her part. "Some people know about it, but it's not widely known yet. And I hope this film will help na makilala ng tao 'yung Mati, and ma-in love din sila sa place."
Also part of the cast are Alora Sasam and Peter Mendijar.
"Ako bilang taga-Mindanao, sobra akong nagpapasalamat [kay Direk] dahil napili niya talaga 'yung Mati, na first time po ever mag-shoot," said Sasam, who spoke Bisaya throughout the film. "Sana dahil dito, marami pang pumunta talaga ng Mati."
Salvador said the movie promises "good vibes with a bit of drama," though Bagatsing adds that it also poses an existential question for the audience.
"For some kasi, parang may mga hinahanap silang 'yung mga ambition nila, or dreams nila sa buhay. And it's about going to bigger cities, the hustle and bustle ng mga lugar na 'yun," he said.
"For my character, parang it's all about not going anywhere, but making the most out of where you are. Falling in love with the place that you live in, and the people you're with," Bagatsing added.
"So ang question doon is, ano bang ano mo, love or ambition? Maraming tao ang dumaan doon at some point in their lives. So, we will see."
RELATED VIDEO: