Cesar Montano admits he waived his talent fee for his new movie 'Biktima'

Rhea Manila Santos

<img src='' alt='091812-cesar_main.jpg' align='left' border='0' height='290' width='305'>Known for his devotion to promoting his province of Bohol in the Visayas, Cesar Montano once again stars in the upcoming Star Cinema drama-thriller Biktima which was actually filmed over two years ago in the province. Cesar revealed the reason why it took so long for the film to be released. “Matagal in-edit. Nag-shooting kami nito when I was running for Governor of Bohol. Before the elections, so that was in 2009. Matagal na eh. Since palagi akong nandudun, the director took the opportunity of filming me there habang nandudun ako kasi mas madalas ako dun. Wala pa atang limang araw shooting namin.” The talented actor admitted he waived his talent fee in order to do the maindie film. “It’s not because I don’t need money. Of course I need money pero gusto ko tulungan ang aking kaibigan na si RD Alba. I saw na may talento itong filmmaker na ito kaya sino pa una kong tutulungan kundi kaibigan ko. Ayoko pahirapan ang buhay filmmaking sa kanya. Kaya sabi ko gawin natin yan kahit walang bayad. Actually nung ginagawa ko yung Panaghoy Sa Suba in 2004, he was there as my assistant director. Natapos namin yung pelikula and he helped me dun sa mga pelikulang gagawin ko pa lang in the future. He’s always there to help and support me kaya wala akong rason para hindi tulungan si director Alba. He’s very good, very talented. Hindi na ako nakialam. Tiningnan ko yung script and I gave some pointers also on how to go about it. Magaling siyang director. Parang hindi siya bagito considering na maliit lang yung perang ginamit,” he says during the Biktima presscon held last September 14 at Dolce Latte café in Quezon City. The movie shows the travails of a TV reporter (played by Angel Aquino) who sets off on a dangerous trek to the Kamandao island in Bohol and is attacked by insurgents. This leaves Mark, (played by Cesar) her husband, devastated. Thinking his wife was killed, he turns to his wife’s best friend (played by Mercedes Cabral) for solace and love. “Si Angel ang galing niya dito. First time namin ito magtrabaho and I want to do more movies with her. She’s very professional, napakabait. Walang angst at napaka-totoong tao. Napaka-simple pa,” he said. Cesar also enjoyed working with indie actress Mercedes Cabral. “Kapiraso lang yung pinagsamahan namin pero I like working with Mercedes. I’m proud of her kasi paborito siya ni Dante Brillantes. Sana dumami pa ang mga Dante Brillantes dito sa Pilipinas,” he added. Cesar’s wife Sunshine is also included in the cast as the boss of Angel Aquino. “She plays the role of one of the supporting characters sa news agency. Angel is working for her. Yung role niya hindi naman ganun ka-meaty pero imposibleng hindi siya mapansin,” he said. The 50-year-old actor revealed he has more film projects he plans to do in the near future. “Marami akong naka-line-up ngayon. I have three films na sinusulat ko like yung Blood for Blood written by Pio Arce, it’s a story about peace. Pangayaw ang pangalan niya sa Tagalog. It’s a beautiful book given to me. Nung nabasa ko yung book, sinulat ko na kagad yung screenplay. Ngayon malapit ko na matapos and I’m going to do it. Secondly, ishu-shoot na namin yung trailer ng about the manuscript ni Jose Rizal ng Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo. I’m producing it,” he said. Biktima opens in theaters on September 19 under Star Cinema and Cesar says he is just hoping the audience will appreciate all the hard work they put in the film. “I want to expect of course a victorious outcome for this movie. Ayoko mag-isip na hindi kikita ito of course. Never kong iisipin yun. But yung ganitong klaseng pelikula napaka-simple pero napaka-complex. Minsan mahirap basahin yung audience natin eh. Siguro nandun tayo sa proseso na nag-ma-mature yung Filipino audience,” he said. Catch Biktima as it opens on September 19. Directed by RD Alba, the film also stars Angel Aquino, Mercedes Cabral, Sunshine Cruz, British-born actor Philip Anthony, and Ricky Davao. Distributed by Star Cinema.

Cesar Montano says his belief in the movie 'Biktima' and its director made him commit to the project.

Cesar Montano admits he waived his talent fee for his new movie 'Biktima' | PUSH.COM.PH