First-time filmmaker completes high-school dream project

SANTOS. Continuous learning process.

AT 22, Gino Santos looks more like a screen heartthrob than a film director. But, don’t let his good looks fool you—Gino is really a film-school standout who trained at the New York Film Academy, attended workshops at the Marilou Diaz-Abaya Film Institute, and recently graduated at the De La Salle-College of St. Benilde with a Digital Filmmaking degree.

In the upcoming Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival, he makes his professional directorial debut with “The Animals.” He shares, “I conceptualized this when I was in high school. Back then, I was into organizing parties. When I took Bing Lao’s workshop, I realized I could use that experience for a film.”

The movie tackles a young man’s take on alcohol and drugs, and stars Albie Casiño, Dawn Balagot and newcomer Patrick Sugui.

Passionate

Santos holds Casiño in high regard. He explains, “When he auditioned, his aura was different: He was confident, cool, passionate, outgoing, and game na game—he really fought for the role!”

As a rookie director, what adjustments did he have to get used to? He replies, “People calling me ‘direk’ make me uneasy. I came from a film school where I was trained to do everything—cinematographer, production assistant, script and continuity guy, etc.! Now, I have people doing those chores for me. It’s a continuous learning process—and I’m happy to keep learning!”

“The Animals” premieres in July at the Cinemalaya festival.