The nurse behind Nars

One of the surprise movie hits of 2007 was the independently-produced Nars.

Armed with nothing but a good storyline and a modest production budget, the film slugged it out with the bigger, slicker Hollywood flicks and the other local commercial releases during the first week of December — with favorable results.

The movie had an all-SRO premiere last Nov. 25 in five major cinemas at SM Megamall, and ran for one week from Dec. 5. Special screenings were also held in several schools in Luzon and Visayas, with more screenings in nursing colleges slated for January and February.

Produced by Carl & Carl Productions, written by Agnes de Guzman, and directed by Adolfo Alix Jr.,  Nars stars Jennylyn Mercado, Jodi Sta. Maria, Agot Isidro, Coco Martin, Jaclyn Jose, Alan Paule, Jeffrey Hidalgo, Christoffer King, Jay Manalo, Aleck Bovick, Paolo Paraiso and Jon Avila.

Behind the success of the movie is the unrelenting vision of one man who took it upon himself to honor and glorify the plight of Filipino nurses, who could very well be called our modern-day heroes. Though he wears several hats as entrepreneur, artist, media personality and Nars executive producer, Carl Balita, is a nurse, first and foremost, and it is this dedication to his noble profession that inspired him to conceptualize a movie that would immortalize the legacy of Filipino nurses.

Carl owns one of the most respected review centers, the Dr. Carl Balita Review Center, and is also the author of the best-selling nursing reviewer. He also runs 12 businesses. His radio program, Radyo Negosyo, aired over DZMM, is a four-time CMMA awardee and KBP Golden Dove Best Public Service Program.

“Did you know that ever since the first nursing board exams in 1920, there has never been any single local film that focused on nurses?,” Carl points out. “Given their important role in our society, I just felt that it’s about time we pay tribute to them through film, to contribute to the positive image of Philippine nursing and, maybe indirectly, to be part of local movie-making history.”

Despite his being a greenhorn in the movie production business, Carl plunged fearlessly into his dream project — wrapping up six months of pre-production with seven long days of shooting and one month of post production. “I shall never be afraid to lose sight of the shore in search for new oceans,” he avers. “As an entrepreneur, risk is something calculated but tolerated. It’s the essence of being in the game of business.”

A pilot venture of such magnitude would definitely have its concomitant birth pains, especially for a fledgling production outfit like theirs. But Carl and company hurdled such expected setbacks, and were even amazed with the enthusiastic participation of its major stars. “The project itself appealed to Jennylyn, whose sister is a nurse, to Jon whose parents are nurses, and to Jodi whose best friend is a nurse,” Carl adds. “They know how popular nursing is to the general public. And I believe that the big stars don’t see independently-produced films as ‘small’ films, but rather as the saving grace of the film industry.”

“I also take my hat off to our line producer, Carlo Maceda, who assisted in the production and contributed a lot in the logistical screening among all the schools involved,” he cites.

As expected, Nars was well-received by the nursing community, and the other allied medical sectors. “Being a first of sorts, they were all very excited about it,” Carl relates. “I was happy with how the National League of Philippine Government Nurses and the Phil. Nurses Association supported the film, especially Dr. Leah Paquiz, the president, for having served as consultant in the process of creating a storyline and ironing out all crucial details.”

Spurred by the encouraging reviews, it won’t be long until Carl and company go full steam ahead with their next movie project. “If producing a film is only about providing money for a film, I will hate to be involved,” he affirms. “But if producing a film is about making a difference in other lives and touching hearts and souls, then I will carry on with that mission.”

Carl was also one of the brains behind the iDream project — an all-star album of inspirational hits that has been enjoying brisk sales since its release last November. Borne out of a desire to motivate and encourage others, both projects reveal his penchant for idealism and relevance. “I play tennis with my eyes on the ball, not on the score board,” he confesses. “I’m done with that phase of my life where everything I do is judged according to how much money I can make. Maturity and security taught me that it is the difference we make in the lives of others that matters more. I change the world by changing the way I see things and the way I make my contribution to this journey. That should be a more meaningful legacy.”