Phoenix Films: February 2008

Sanny Calam - Kulas
Joseph Waban - Sisi
Denah Butron - Karen
MJ Winstanley - Gina
Ian Bajao - Fr. Manzano
Bert Abaquita - Christopher

This is the first film I've ever made. I’m claiming to this date that this is the first independent film ever produced in Cagayan de Oro City.

After our local soap opera, "Kapitan Berino", ended in November 2001, out of boredom; I wrote a script about two stupid guys based on the characters that I have invented in my mind years before. Joseph Waban and Sanny Calam were immediately cast not only because they were good friends of mine and were also part of the "Berino" cast, but I could never imagine any actor who could best portray and justify the characters "Kulas" and "Sisi". When Joseph first read the script, he was reading it in my car while we were heading to Tagoloan's fiesta. He couldn't stop laughing, even between takes while filming. I even included all the bloopers in the last part of the film.

The first shooting was in July 2002. Sanny, who was then working at Ororama Megacenter as a supervisor (thus the inclusion of Ororama Megacenter in his dialogue in one of the scenes); was always never available whenever the rest of the cast is, so we have to shoot him together with Joseph in separate days, thus, resulting to some obvious lapses in some shots like Joseph’s shirt and haircut would “magically” change (which was obvious in the original 2002 edition). In a scene where the 6 main characters would have an encounter in “Karen” (Denah) and “Gina’s” (MJ) living room, the so called “encounter” never actually happened in the shoot, as I have to shoot them on different days due to schedule difficulty. I shot Ian and Bert (the priest and the Gina’s husband) first in a different house, then Denah and MJ in a different house a couple of days after (this was during daytime where the scene was supposed to happen at night), and finally Sanny and Joseph in a different house the week after. They have to pretend that they’re interacting with the other characters. After painstakingly editing everything, the result was a very hilarious climax. Ian and Bert never actually met the rest of the cast until the video premiered in January 2003 at Zilch Restobar, the night before it would be aired on local television.

The most famous and memorable scene was the “taya, taya” scene where Kulas (Sanny) has to teach Sisi (Joseph) how to play cards before they would meet Karen (Denah). This entire scene was actually Sanny’s idea. It was actually a joke he told me during taping an episode of Kapitan Berino at Lim Ket Kai mall. He wanted it to be incorporated in a scene in Kapitan Berino in which I told Director Suzzete Montes about. Ma’am Suzette thought it was a great idea but at that time, she doesn’t want to deviate from the story’s dramatic twist. She said we’d do it some other time but it never happened. So when I wrote the script, I included Sanny’s idea of the “taya, taya” joke. The result was the funniest and most memorable scene of the film. Everyone who saw the film will recall and relate it to me in a vividly funny detail. (“Joker gyud kaayo ‘tong ‘taya, taya’ bai…)

The Ororama Megacenter scene where the four characters went on a double date was also one of

the hardest to shoot. Sanny was again not available, though he was there but was very busy doing his job as a supervisor that time. I shot Joseph, MJ and Denah as if interacting with Sanny in the crowded food court. After that afternoon shoot, Joseph, MJ and I had to go to a modeling practice for we were asked to model for an event. After that, Joseph and I have to go back to Ororama and shoot some scenes together with Sanny. If you look and listen closely, you would notice in some shots that would include Sanny, there are almost no people in the background and it’s more quiet for the mall was about to close that late evening.

On the last part, where Kulas and Sisi were drunk and arguing, you can see Robinson’s mall still being constructed. After it was shown on TV for the first time, The Big R was already fully operational. I also had a cameo on that scene. I played myself and as Kapitan Berino talking to Ma’am Suzette on my cellphone. During shooting that scene, the video camera kept on dying so we have to charge it for another 30 minutes. After that shoot, Joseph and I went Limketkai for our Mossimo modeling gig.

The 2007 edition features a scene that wasn’t included in the previous edition. This was a monologue done by Kulas outside of the house of Karen and Gina.

Kulasisi was a cult classic. The viewers had a very positive reaction to it. During special public screenings, I felt really flattered if the audience will laugh at every joke thrown by the characters. I love it when Joseph and Sanny are being recognized in the streets sometimes even asking for their picture or an autograph. I have seen my own work almost a hundred times now but it never seizes to amuse me. I still laugh at how they delivered those punch lines and when they made mistakes and were caught on camera. We really had a grand time shooting the whole film. It took me 3 months to shoot it and have to re-shoot some scenes a couple of months after.

With the latest software, I upgraded the opening credits and the soundtrack as well; And some editing tricks I learned along the way, like the scene where Kulas and Sisi saw Karen for the first time and she walked towards them in slow motion. When Joseph saw the 2007 edition, he thought he liked the original better. Although the original version will always have a special place in our hearts, the 2007 version eliminated most of the original version’s flaws and made it a better movie.

A very rare reunion between Kulas (Sanny Calam), Sisi (Joseph Waban) and the Writer and Director (Cloyd Winstanley) during Sanny's son's (Geoff Andrei, check out the tarpaulin at the back) birthday last July 7, 2007. Seen together with Dionne Leslie.

Denah Butron, as I'm writing this, is happily married to Ian Beltran of Concentrix formerly Link2support and are blessed with a baby boy. MJ Winstanley is currently based in Dubai as a flight stewardess for United Arab Imerates. Ian Bajao is happily married and is a pastor of a Christian Church. Bert Abaquita is still working out and joining body building competitions.

Joseph Waban is happy with his business and is living with his pregnant girlfriend. they will marry this year. He is still modelling for print ads and video productions. Sanny Calam is currently the Marketing officer of Pepsi Cola.

view the trailer if Kulasisi: Da Is2pid boys: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCTJCKT6Jek