''Twilight Dancers'' is the last installment of director

Mel Chionglo Carmelo Chionglo (July 16, 1946 – September 21, 2019), better known as Mel Chionglo, was a Filipino film director and production designer. He has directed more than 40 films since 1981. From 1966 to 1976, he worked and studied acting and di ...

and writer

Ricky Lee Ricardo Lee (born as March 19, 1948) is a Filipino screenwriter, journalist, novelist, and playwright. He was conferred the Order of National Artists of the Philippines for Film and Broadcast Arts in 2022. Starting in 1973, he has written more ...

's trilogy about Macho Dancers. The first part was '' Sibak: Midnight Dancers'' in 1994, and the second part was ''

Burlesk King ''Burlesk King'' is the second film in the gay-themed trilogy of Mel Chionglo and Ricky Lee about the lives of macho dancers, men who work as strippers in Manila's gay bars. The first is '' Sibak: Midnight Dancers''; the third is ''Twilight Dance ...

'' in 1999. The trilogy took inspiration from

Lino Brocka Catalino Ortiz Brocka (April 3, 1939 – May 22, 1991) was a Filipino film director. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential and significant filmmakers in the history of Philippine cinema. He co-founded the organization Concerned Art ...

's film ''

Macho Dancer Macho Dancer is a 1988 Philippine film, directed by Lino Brocka. It explores the realities of a young, poor, rural gay man, who after being dumped by his American boyfriend, is forced to support himself and his family in Manila's seamy red-light ...

'' in 1988.

Plot

Twilight Dancers offers a disturbing yet a humorous look at the country's social realities through the eyes of three macho dancers or male strippers. One of them is Dwight (

Tyron Perez Jojo Tyron Malonzo Perez (September 14, 1985 – December 29, 2011) was a Filipino model, actor and television host and an alumnus of the reality-based talent search '' StarStruck''. Early life Perez was born in Brgy. Alfonso, Concepcion, Tarla ...

), young and at the peak of his trade, who loses the girl he loves to a politician's son. Then there is Alfred, who at 28 is past his prime and is kicked out of the club. Finally is Bert, 30, who has long since given up dancing and is now the bodyguard-driver of a corrupt businesswoman. But Bert's boss, Madame Loca (

Cherry Pie Picache Cherry Pie Sison Picache (born May 27, 1970) is a Filipino actress who has starred television and in mainstream and independent films and has worked as a print and TV commercial model for Palmolive, Camay, and Eskinol. Cherry Pie is notable ...

), manipulates the events that push the three dancers to fight for survival, and to finally confront issues of love, friendship and betrayal. Adding to these conflicts are a deaf-mute wife who refuses to go back to her macho dancer husband, a director who keeps promising stardom to a male dancer named Michael (

Terence Baylon Terence Dale Niño Baylon (born April 26, 1984) is a Filipino actor and model. He started making movies and commercials at the age of 7. When he was 4 years old, he joined ''Eat Bulaga!'' search for ''Little Mr. Pogi''. Although he did not win th ...

), a transvestite performer who fakes being a virgin as well, a tyrannical mayor who cross-dresses at his birthday party, and a union leader who gets shot by an assassin in broad daylight. But as their club's manager Taurus always says, "They are only here to serve the carnal desires of men. The show has to go on." ''Twilight Dancers'' is the third movie from director Mel Chionglo about Philippine's macho dancer industry.

Cast

as Dwight *Lauren Novero as Bert *

Allen Dizon Allen Dizon (born on October 3, 1977), is a Filipino actor, model and producer in the Philippines. A former member of the Viva Hot Men, Dizon has transitioned from his early years in daring roles to become an independent film actor and producer ...

as Alfred *

as Madam Loca *

Ana Capri Ynfane Avanica (born April 24, 1979), known professionally as Ana Capri, is a Filipino actress. Career In 1996, Capri made her screen debut in ''Virgin People 2'', directed by Celso Ad. Castillo, where she acted alongside Sunshine Cruz, Sharmai ...

as Miriam * William Martinez *

Joel Lamangan Joel Lamangan (born September 21, 1952) is a Filipino film director, television director and actor. His award-winning films includes '' The Flor Contemplacion Story'', ''Sidhi'', '' Deathrow'', ''Hubog'', '' Aishte Imasu 1941'', '' Blue Moon'' an ...

*Jerry Lopez Sineneng *Arnel Igancio *

Glaiza de Castro Glaiza Castro Galura-Rainey (born January 21, 1988), known by her stage name Glaiza de Castro, is a Filipino actress, recording artist and advocate. She is recognized as the industry's "''Drama Royalty''" for her acting prowess and versatility ...

*J.E. Sison *

IC Mendoza Isaiah Culleen Carvajal Mendoza (born January 14, 1988), better known as IC Mendoza, is a Filipino actor, model, and television personality. Early life Isaiah Culleen Carvajal Mendoza was born on January 14, 1988 in Makati Medical Center, Maka ...

as Hazel *

as Michael *Kris Martinez *Chester Nolledo

External links

* 2006 films 2000s Tagalog-language films Philippine LGBT-related films Philippine dance films 2006 LGBT-related films Films directed by Mel Chionglo {{Philippines-film-stub