While music makes up 30% of the film "Sinagtala," its director Mike Sandejas stressed that it does not fall into the musical genre. Instead, viewers will watch a story about musicians dealing with various hardships and life lessons.
The film, set for release on April 2, stars Rhian Ramos, Glaiza de Castro, and Arci Muñoz with Rayver Cruz and Matt Lozano. Ramos had a brief singing career, de Castro is also a vocalist, and Muñoz still performs with her own band Philia.
During the movie’s press conference at Seda Vertis North in Quezon City, the three lead actresses discussed the lessons learned from "Sinagtala."
Ramos shared that after attaining your goals and earning a good living, you should always return to your passion, to what truly feeds your soul.
“Makaka-relate lahat ng artists na they found their work dun sa art nila na nagsimula sa passion na kapag naging negosyo siya nagbabago siya. Something that you grew up dreaming about becomes more about the money, fame. Iba na ‘yung iniisip mo kung ano ba ‘yung success. I feel connected to my character in a sense na para bang finding yourself again na nahahanap mo ulit ‘yung center mo dun sa passion at pagmamahal mo sa ginagawa mo just realizing how lucky you are to just get to do your craft,” she said.
De Castro, on the other hand, stated that dreams change based on a person's current situation in life.
“Hindi lang doon sa pangarap pati rin sa purpose. Hindi naman natatapos ‘yung mga pangarap natin. Nung mga bata tayo, gusto lang natin maging artista or astronaut or doktor. Nung naging artista ka na, iba na ‘yung pangarap. Nung nag-asawa ka, nag-iba ulit ‘yung pangarap mo. Pero ‘yung pangarap na ‘yun ay kaakibat ng purpose. Kung ang pangarap mo ay pangsarili lang, walang fulfillment,” she shared.
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Rhian Ramos, Glaiza de Castro, and Arci Muñoz talk about new movie “Sinagtala.” Photo by Josh Mercado.
Muñoz, who admitted to missing doing movies, was moved when she read the script, which centered around band members experiencing ups and downs.
“Konti lang po kasi ‘yung friends ko. ‘Yung mga ka-banda ko, sila talaga ‘yung nag-stick talaga sa akin hanggang ngayon. Sa mga struggle ko sa buhay, ‘yung mga totoo kong kaibigan, sila talaga ‘yung mga tatakbuhan ko sa oras na parang walang-wala ka talaga,” she told the press.
In the official trailer, their characters are seen facing their own battles while attempting not to lose their reason to exist. Ramos, de Castro, and Muñoz discussed who or what prevented them from falling.
“‘Yung naka-save sa akin is ‘yung may tiwala ako that there’s someone bigger than me, there’s something bigger than me. May mas malaking purpose kumpara roon sa mga gusto kong mangyari,” Ramos said.
She added, “Naniniwala ako na there’s something bigger than my plans. Life is always changing. Kung may bad times, alam kong magbabago siya. Kung may good times, alam ko ring magbabago pero hindi ako natatakot doon.”
An emotional de Castro replied, “Bukod sa prayers, ang nagsalba talaga sa akin sa kalungkutan ay musika. Kapag pinag-uusapan talaga ‘yung music, very significant siya sa akin. Gift siya sa akin ni Lord at sa pamilya ko kasi musically driven ang family. Every time na may struggle, talagang music ‘yung nagpapasaya sa amin.”
“Habang may buhay, may pag-asa. Hindi naman matatapos ‘yung challenges natin sa buhay. Habang buhay tayo, may mga pagdaraanan tayo but we just have to accept and learn from it,” Muñoz wrapped up the conversation.
The director wants audiences to feel the characters' journey while also taking delight in the original music used in the film.
His previous films included "Tulad Ng Dati" (2006) and "Dinig Sana Kita" (2009), both of which were well regarded at Cinemalaya at the time.
"Sinagtala" is produced by Sinagtala Productions and will be released in cinemas on April 2.