MANILA, Philippines - Accept it or not, gay independent films reign and the chaotic war between the pink films came to its peak. Most of the films received an X rating for its sexual content and probably a film like 1017: Sa Paglaya ng Aking Salita will also get the same rate, not for having scandalous frontal nudity but for its fearless socio-political content.
1017 is about Jojo, a UP student who tries to hide his true feelings. As the story progresses, he has decided to set his feelings free. It is the time of Presidential Proclamation 1017 — State of Emergency (proclaimed in Feb. 24, 2006) when he decided to become a member of New People’s Army — primarily to be with his childhood friend Manuel, who he is secretly in love with. Can he do something for the country and make it free, if he himself is a prisoner of his own misery?
The movie topbills Kristofer King as Manuel and introduces Kahlel Urdantea as Jojo. Also in the cast are Rain Rosario, Mercedes Cabral, G.A. Villafuerte, Benji Garcia, Tiya Pusit, Ces Aldaba, Marlon Carmen of Survivor Philippines, Chanel Latorre, Jay-Jay Jimenez, Ivan Sanches and James Mendoza.
1017 premieres March 3, 7:30 p.m. at UP Film Institute/Cine Adarna.