Anti-drug film "Tulak" coming to Cebu cinemas this November

CEBU, Philippines - With the rise in drug addiction cases, most especially in the lower brackets of the society, We Do Recover and the Cebu Business Club have joined hands to work on what they call as "Save an Addict Program".

The program was designed to be able to offer the less fortunate members of the society with a viable and lasting recovery program from Drug Addiction. To be able to do this in a viable and sustainable manner, partners are needed to help make this project become a reality.

As first project, the Cebu Business Club, We Do Recover Inc, and the City of Cebu will be present the showing of a Drug Addiction, Recovery and Co-Dependency film called "Tulak." Meet the stars before the premier fund-raising event at SM Cebu Cinema 1 on Nov. 20 at 7pm. Tickets to premier showing will be at P500. Regular screenings will be on Nov. 20, at 1pm and 4pm, then on Nov. 21 at 1pm, 4pm, and 7pm all at SM Cebu Cinema 1. Tickets are priced at P100 each for the regular showing.

"Tulak" is about Tikboy, who is a typical young boy in a narrow alley called "Kalye walang buhay" (Dead Alley) where most of the residents are criminals, degenerates, and drug dependents.

Orphaned at an early age, his aunt Lukray (Maria Isabel Lopez), an aging prostitute, took him under her wing with her live-in partner, Abdon (Julio Diaz). He is a low-ranking policeman and a corrupt drug pusher. Tikboy serves as his delivery boy in many of his drug deals and is identified as "batang tulak" (young pusher).

Fifteen years later, Tikboy (played by Rafael Rosell), is released from jail with the help of Betina (Fanny Serrano), a kind gay man who owns a small shell craft factory. He is a trusted and thoughtful friend and a shoulder to cry on – his codependent.

Tikboy recalls his life after leaving Dead Alley: he joined the pickpockets around the city, then, he became a bandit and pusher. Now, as an ex-convict, all he wants to do is to find his Aunt Lukray and save her from Abdon. But the house where they used to live has been demolished. Afterwards, Tikboy chooses recovery, and takes his friends from the past along with him on this new journey. There is healing, amends work, and hope for a better tomorrow. And yet, the struggle not to take that first drug again continuous…

Even if the fight against drugs may seem like a losing battle because of its massive network, its huge profits and colossal protectors who lack the will to end it, we must all do our part to stop it – first with ourselves, then with our families, then within our communities. Our silence and our indifference make us no different from any other "tulak" (drug pusher) on the street.

You may purchase your tickets (which can be delivered directly to you) through the Cebu Business Club office at 254-6781 to 85 local 111 or (0928) 550-4417 (look for Glenda) or We Do Recover Inc. at 231-5229 or 238-9143 (look for Liza).