''Apag'' (; ''Feast'') is a 2022 Philippine

drama film In film and television, drama is a category or genre of narrative fiction (or semi-fiction) intended to be more serious than humorous in tone. The drama of this kind is usually qualified with additional terms that specify its particular ...

directed by

Brillante Mendoza Brillante Mendoza (; born July 30, 1960), also known as Dante Mendoza, is a Filipino independent filmmaker. Mendoza is known one of the key members associated with the Philippine New Wave. Career Mendoza was born and raised in San Fernando, ...

Premise

Kapampangan Kapampangan, Capampañgan or Pampangan may refer to: *Kapampangan people, of the Philippines *Kapampangan language Kapampangan, Capampáñgan, or Pampangan, is an Austronesian language, and one of the eight major languages of the Philippines. ...

restaurateur Rafael Tuazon (

Coco Martin Rodel Pacheco Nacianceno Jr. (born November 1, 1981), popularly known as Coco Martin (), is a Filipino actor, director, producer, and screenwriter. Known for his performances in action and romantic drama, he is one of the most awarded Filipin ...

) who was making preparations for a feast, finds himself in a fatal vehicular accident which took the life of a

tricycle A tricycle, sometimes abbreviated to trike, is a Human-powered transport, human-powered (or gasoline or electric motor powered or assisted, or gravity powered) Three-wheeler, three-wheeled vehicle. Some tricycles, such as cycle rickshaws (for pa ...

driver (Matias). His father Alfredo Tuazon (

Lito Lapid Manuel "Lito" Mercado Lapid (; born October 25, 1955) is a Filipino actor, director and politician serving as a Senate of the Philippines, Senator since 2019, and previously from 2004 to 2016. He started his political career in Pampanga, serv ...

) takes a fall for the crime to save his son from legal repercussions. Rafael, free but overcome by guilt, tries to make amends to Nita (

Gladys Reyes Gladys Reyes-Sommereux (born June 23, 1977), is a Filipino actress, television presenter, entrepreneur, and comedian. She began a career as a child actress after joining Little Miss Philippines in 1984 and rose to fame after playing "Clara," ...

), the widow of the driver.

Cast

as Rafael Tuazon *

as Alfredo Tuazon *

as Nita Other cast members include

Jaclyn Jose Mary Jane Santa Ana Guck (October 21, 1963 – March 2, 2024 ), known professionally as Jaclyn Jose, was a Filipino actress. Known for her penetrating eyes and antagonistic roles in film and soap operas, she was a recipient of various accolades ...

Gina Pareño Gina Pareño (; born Geraldine Acthley, October 20, 1947) is a Filipino actress. She is referred to as the "Queen of Philippine Melodrama", being best known for her award-winning portrayals in films like '' Kubrador'', ''Service (film), Serbis' ...

, Julio Diaz,

Shaina Magdayao Shaina Garcia Magdayao (; born November 6, 1989) is a Filipino actress. Known primarily for her dramatic roles in film and television, she began her career as a child actress and starred in her first titular role ''Lyra (TV series), Lyra''. She ...

Mark Lapid Mark Tadeo Lapid (born February 16, 1979) is an actor and politician in the Philippines. He is a former Governor of Pampanga (2004–2007). President Gloria Arroyo appointed him as general manager of the Philippine Tourism Authority in 2008. F ...

, Vince Rillon and

Joseph Marco Joseph Cecil Marco (born October 4, 1988) is a Filipino actor and model who played the role of Santi Domingo in the GMA Network Philippine drama series '' La Vendetta'' and who is currently a Star Magic artist in the ABS-CBN, who appeared in ...

Aljur Abrenica Aljur Mikael Guiang Abrenica (born March 24, 1990) is a Filipino actor, dancer, model and singer. He appeared on the fourth season of '' StarStruck''.. He was the former husband of Kyline Padilla not later also separated. Early and personal ...

was to play Rafael Tuazon, but was replaced by Martin after Abrenica withdrew from the film project.

Production

''Apag'' was produced by Center Stage Productions with

as its director and Arianna Martinez as its screenplay writer. The film was partially financed by the Hong Kong International Film Festival Society, which stipulated that Mendoza produce a film which does not feature sex, violence, or politics – a usual element of Mendoza's previous films. The name of the film, ''Apag'' comes from the shorthand of "Hapag Kainan" or Dinner Table. The film is a homage to Mendoza's Kapampangan roots, using a strictly Pampangueno cast and was film in the

Kapampangan language Kapampangan, Capampáñgan, or Pampangan, is an Austronesian language, and one of the eight major languages of the Philippines. It is the primary and predominant language of the entire province of Pampanga and southern Tarlac, on the southern p ...

. Mendoza created an alternative ending for the film following the suggestion of lead actor

. The new ending, was described as a somewhat violent conclusion compared to the original's usual happy ending. It was made to be compliant with the submission requirements for the 2023 Metro Manila Summer Film Festival. The film unaltered is ineligible for entry due to having already screened in various international film festivals by that time.

Release

''Apag'' was released internationally as ''Feast''. It premiered at the

Busan International Film Festival The Busan International Film Festival (BIFF; ), formerly the Pusan International Film Festival (PIFF), held annually in Haeundae District, Busan, South Korea, is one of the most significant film festivals in Asia. The first festival, held fro ...

in October 2022. From 2022 to 2023 was showcased in various international film festivals such as the

Warsaw Film Festival Warsaw Film Festival (; WFF), also known as Warsaw International Film Festival, is an annual international film festival held every October in Warsaw, Poland. The 40th edition of the festival will take place from 11 to 20 October 2024. Histor ...

World Film Festival of Bangkok The World Film Festival of Bangkok () is an annual international film festival held in Bangkok, Thailand. The 15th World Film Festival of Bangkok, the latest edition of World Film Festival of Bangkok, is held from December 2 to December 11, 2022. ...

, Vesoul International Film Festival, and the

Asian Film Festival The Asia-Pacific Film Festival (abbreviated APFF) is an annual film festival hosted by the Federation of Motion Picture Producers in Asia-Pacific (FPA). The festival was first held in Tokyo, Japan, in 1954. History The festival was first he ...

in South Korea. The film screened in cinemas across the Philippines as one of the eight official entries of the 2023 Metro Manila Summer Film Festival which began on April 8, 2023. The 2023 MMSFF release featured an ending different than the one screened in previous international film festivals.

Accolades

External links

References

{{Brillante Mendoza 2022 films 2022 drama films Films directed by Brillante Mendoza Philippine drama films Films set in Pampanga Films shot in Pampanga Films about food and drink Kapampangan-language films Fiction with multiple endings 2020s Philippine films