The baptism of fire that a newbie director experiences becomes double the pressure once faced with established actors. Director Miguel Kaimo had to prove he is fit for the job right on Day 1 of shooting “Sabungero: Dangal At Tibay” which features a cast filled with veteran, brilliant actors whose collective presence can make every first-timer feel at a lost.

Together with his co-director Rozie Delgado who is also a neophyte, Kaimo braved the challenge and dealt with a naturally uncomfortable situation of directing individuals who have already worked with the best filmmakers out there. There he was on the set with the likes of Joel Torre, the main character in the film, and supporting acts Ricky Davao, Mark Gil, Robert Arevalo, Nonie Buencamino, and Sid Lucero.

In an exclusive chat with the Manila Bulletin, Kaimo shared, “I had to prove to them that I knew what I was doing. We were overwhelmed but as soon as the ice was broken, we went down to work and stood where we should be.”

The movie is touted as the first full-length Filipino film on cockfighting, even forcing Torre to undergo training at a cockfighting academy. Its executive producer JC Bernardo explained that the project pictures a realistic approach on the sport that is hobby to at least six million registered sabungeros in the country.

Rooster Content Online, creator of leading cockfighting website sabong.com.ph, put out bills to produce the movie which included a location shoot at the World Slasher Cup Invitational 8-cock Derby held at the Araneta Coliseum last May. Its consideration that sabong is part of our local culture and that Filipino viewers need be informed of the facts about it pushed the cinematic idea to implementation. An old foreign movie served as major influence in creating the movie about Paco whose life as a family man was significantly changed by cockfighting.

Actress Maritoni Fernandez, who’s also in the cast, pointed out, “‘Sabungero’ has a very FPJ (Fernando Poe, Jr.) movie feel about it. There’s a guy doing regular things and umangat siya. That sets a positive tone.”

Torre himself noted that the film is not artsy in form but rather a conventional narrative but with a very interesting subject. He found the script engaging and from there it was easy for him to say yes to the lead role offer.

“We were fortunate that our actors were highly professional. They actually made our job easier because we had a wealth of talent on our hands,” Kaimo admitted.

Delgado likewise felt privileged that most in the cast had much technical knowledge about filmmaking which largely helped finished the groundbreaking indie film.

“Sabungero: Dangal At Tibay” opens in Metro Manila theaters on Sept. 30. Two premieres happen tonight, both at Megamall Cinema 1 and Gateway Mall Cineplex 5. Provincial audiences will also see the movie via the big screen with screenings set at places like Cebu, Iloilo, and Bacolod where the sport is popular.