‘3Pol Trobol: Huli Ka Balbon’

Jennylyn Mercado (left) and Coco Martin

(We are running this guide to help moviegoers plan their holiday cinema tour. The 45th Metro Manila Film Festival runs from Dec. 25 to Jan. 7, 2020)

Written and directed by Rodel Nacianceno; Starring Coco Martin, Jennylyn Mercado, Ai-Ai delas Alas, Sam Milby, Edu Manzano, Tirso Cruz III, Joey Marquez, Carmi Martin, Mitch Valdes, John Prats, Bianca Manalo, Jhong Hilario, Ping Medina, Pepe Herrera, Long Mejia, Lou Veloso, with the special participation of Manila Mayor Isko MorenoThe movie tells the story of Apollo “Pol” Balbon (Martin), the loving son of single mother Mary Balbon (Delas Alas). Pol works as a bodyguard for the National Defense Agency executive director who, after discovering an anomaly in his agency, gets ambushed, but manages to pass on vital information to Pol before he dies.

The real killer, Senator Simon (Manzano), pins the blame on Pol, who took it upon himself to protect his boss’ daughter, Trina (Mercado), from her late father’s enemies. In order to get to Trina, Pol disguises himself as a woman named Paloma, who is supposedly Trina’s half-sister. But what happens when Trina realizes that the sister she thought she has is actually the suspect in her father’s murder?

“I’m also part of the creative team, so I know that I should make a film that’s different from what the audience normally sees in ‘Ang Probinsyano.’ Kapag naisip nila na parang pareho lang, mapapahiya ako,” says Martin, who is also the movie’s writer, director, editor and producer.

The cast of “3Pol Trobol”

“The characters, especially Paloma, are five times different from the ones on TV. Sabi ko nga, huling beses ko na gagawin si Paloma kaya sasagarin ko na.” —MARINEL CRUZ INQ