Jon Red’s Adarna Gang is modern-day take on Ibong Adarna epic

Notable director Jon Red’s upcoming film Adarna Gang is his latest social commentary about crime, politics and family issues. It is based on the epic Ibong Adarna, with a twist and in a different setting.

Adarna Gang is a 15-year-old material, revealed Jon (who is also known as Juan Pula) in a Zoom media conference. There were many attempts to do it in the past but didn’t push through until Viva big boss Vic del Rosario came in. “Nagkaroon ng chance with Vic. He asked me if I still want to do it. Pinag-aralan ko kung gusto ko nga ba? Considering din the pandemic,” he said.

“To be honest, what I do, personal works talaga. Experimental film ‘to. So nung naisip ko ‘tong kuwentong ‘to parang it’s an opportunity to make it a more mainstream movie. To reach out to bigger audience kasi yung kuwento niya may love tapos pwede siyang lagyan ng action, mas accessible siya for a wider audience so tinuloy ko siya, buti nagustuhan din. Ang tagal na naming pinag-usapan ‘to ng Viva and finally natuloy,” he added.

As per media release, Adarna Gang, like Ibong Adarna, also involves hunters and preys. However, the plot of this movie is motivated by two things: revenge and thirst for power. In place of the three princes are three men being honed to become crime syndicate leaders. Instead of a healing bird, there’s a grieving daughter. Now, who is out to get who?

Coleen Garcia plays Adriana, the unica hija of Jose (Soliman Cruz) and Maria (Mickey Ferriols). Adriana is aware that her father is involved in a syndicate although they don’t talk about it. She’s looking forward to a provincial life that her father has promised, but this dream is shattered when Jose gets killed.

JC Santos plays Juan, one of the three adopted sons of Fernando (Ronnie Lazaro), the syndicate’s big boss, and his wife Valeriana (Sharmaine Buencamino). Compared to his two brothers, Juan is quite laidback. Knowing that their fathers are friends, he also tries to befriend Adriana.

Diego Loyzaga plays Diego, the youngest in their family. He’s a top womanizer, but still has a lot to learn in running the syndicate. Still, he follows orders and tries to get things done.

Mark Anthony Fernandez plays Pedro, the eldest son and the most ambitious of all. He will not hesitate to get rid of anyone who he thinks is a threat to the syndicate.

Certain that Fernando’s family is behind the death of her father, Adriana vows to eliminate them one by one.

Just like in the centuries-old Philippine folklore Ibong Adarna, Juan, Diego, and Pedro are sent out to go on a hunt. Whoever captures Adriana first will be greatly rewarded.

While Ibong Adarna is a classic, the Vivamax film is “very contemporary.” It talks about family and society, with political undertones. “Yung gang at yung sindikato are just a metaphor for what is happening in our country. Kinausap ko yung mga artista about this especially si Coleen and nagkaroon kami ng (talk) kung paano siya ipapalabas na hindi siya masyadong spoonfeeding sa audience.”

At the same time, the message of the film is presented in a “subtle” way. “Sabi ko nga when you make a film, you don’t necessarily make statements, you actually ask questions. You challenge the audience. Gusto namin mag-participate sila. Ganun ang naging approach namin dito,” said the indie filmmaker.

The portrayal of family in the movie is also a metaphor for a country, he furthered. “So parang ang hirap ipaghiwalay yung tanong sa pamilya sa politika. Basically, ano bang dapat gawin natin ngayon sa sitwasyon natin? Given this government, given the crime that we witnessed around us.”

Adarna Gang is Jon’s “reaction to what is happening around us now.” He explained: “May gusto kang gawin, may ideas ka. Pero what should I do? I’m not a politician. Hindi naman ako mayamang tao. Hindi naman ako humahawak ng baril. What should I do? How should I react? I make films so…”

“Although film is a strong medium, I don’t feel it’s enough pero ito ang kaya kong gawin eh. Ito ang meron ako. So when I decided for a long time kung gagawin ko ‘to kasi ang description ko nga dito is like an old girlfriend, 15 years old na ‘tong material eh, gusto ko pa ba ‘tong pakasalan? Parang ganun.

“So when I decided to do it, it’s because it’s the only choice that I have now. It’s the only option I can speak through this film,” he further said of how the Adarna Gang was born.

Jon is a household name in the world of indie films and has won the Gawad Urian Award for Best Short Film with Tiempo in 1993, Best Short Film with Trip in 1994, and Silver DV Award for Astigmatism in 2004 at the Hong Kong International Film Festival.

He wrote the screenplay of Hugas, helmed by Roman Perez Jr. who referred to the film as part of Jon’s mafia universe. Jon is also the writer and producer of Vivamax’s limited erotic drama trilogy L.

Most of his works are comedy and political satire, including Viva Films’ Boso (2005) starring Jeffrey Quizon, Katya Santos, Gwen Garci, among others.

(Adarna Gang’s playdate is on March 11 via Vivamax.)