"Astig” is a full-length feature digital movie that will compete at the 2009 Cinemalaya Film Festival. It is written by multi-awarded writer Jerry Gracio and directed by GB Sampedro, one of the country’s most sought-after concert, music video, TV commercial and TV show directors. “Astig” is also the first attempt of Boy Abunda and Boy So in movie production.  

“Astig” is an episodic tale of four young men trying to live to survive the sexual squalor, seductive filth and emotional perversity of Manila. It stars Dennis Trillo, Edgar Allan Guzman, Arnold Reyes and Sid Lucero. Episode 1 tells the story of ARIEL (Dennis), a conman who works for a shop at C.M. Recto Avenue selling fake diplomas and other documents. He meets and falls in love with a young girl but decides to leave her. Episode 2 is about BOY (Edgar Allan), an expectant young father who has to sell his body to pay his wife’s hospital bill. Episode 3 tells the story of RONALD (Arnold), a Chinese mestizo from Zamboanga who goes to Manila to sell a decrepit building which he inherited from his father. After giving in to the seduction of a gay man who bought his property, he reaffirms his sexual identity by hiring a prostitute not knowing that she’d run away with his money. Episode 4 is about BASTE (Sid), a Marine Engineering student and an overly protective brother who wants to avenge his sister who was deceived by her boyfriend.   

The movie boasts of a stellar line-up of actors which include Ai Ai delas Alas, Pooh, Bianca Gonzalez, Mariel Rodriguez, Sitti Navarro, Jhong Hilario, Vhong Navarro, Chanda Romero, Rustica Carpio, Keanna Reeves, Glaiza de Castro, Angellie Urquico, Gardo Versoza, Emilio Garcia, Kim Atienza, Paolo Paraiso, Mhalou Crisologo, Angeli Bayani, Armand Reyes, Patricia Ismael, Whitney Tyson, Romano Vasquez, Lotlot Bustamante, Mark Chavez, Haziel Ann Fabro, Mark Fresco, Felbert Go, Ivy Guy-ab, Rita Iringan, Miah Isabelle, Jayden Javier, Lorraine Lopez, Enrico Reyes, Paolo Rivero, Rocky Tan, Alex Tiglao, Josie Torres, Cris Valdez and Boy Abunda.

“Astig” will have its world premiere at the Cultural Center of the Philippines Main Theater on July 18 (Saturday) at 9 p.m. and another gala screening at the CCP Main Theater on July 23 (Thursday) at 6:15 p.m. The movie will have other screenings in various CCP venues on July 19, 21, 22, 24 and 25.     

“Astig” sponsors are Café La Carmela, R.A. Gapuz Review Center, Sierra Madre, Sony Music, Tropezz International House of Catering, Joel Cruz of Aficionado and La Carmela de Boracay.