Davao-based artist supports drug war through film

Patrick Seras of the Patrick the Music Studio goes to City Council, through Councilor Pilar Braga, chair of the committee of education, science and technology, arts and culture, to ask for support for an indie film entitled “Dante the Musicale” showcasing the story of a drug user’s difficult life and struggle inside the prison.

The film was shot inside the Cagayan de Oro City Jail and the jail inmates were tapped as the cast in response of the request of Cagayan de Oro City Jail Superintendent Ferdinand D. Pontillo.

In Braga’s speech, the film was described as a “testimony of faith, hope, transformation, and healing.”

In a promotional material distributed by Seras, the film gave a brief picture of the jail population that ballooned to unimaginable numbers. The state of prison is deplorable and bringing inmates’ condition to sub-human levels.

The film started being shown to SM theaters in Cagayan de Oro City in 2017. Seras is pushing for the support of the City Government so that the film will be shown in the barangays and in schools within the city.

“We have tried getting the support of the city but I guess we lacked the good marketing strategy before but now, with the support of Councilor Braga, we are hopeful that the film will reach more audience,” he said.

He also hopes that a resolution shall be passed under Braga’s committee for the film’s smoother entry to schools.

The film runs for an hour and a half with 19 original and new song compositions written by Seras.

The musicale was approved by BJMP Chief Director Serafin Barreto and was classified under Parental Guidance (PG) of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB).

The film is a show-for-a-cause where proceeds will benefit the prison ministry of Cagayan de Oro City Jail. (Julianne A. Suarez)