Press Release

Manny Asuncion’s 3-Act Play made into a movie-  “Kesehoda” a balikbayan Aussie love story

By Irma Mutuc
Melbourne-Australia
June 13, 2016



The indie movie marks the comeback of eighties sexy star, Pia Moran. Avid showbiz followers of the era will remember her as the pixie-haired wisp of a girl whose claim to fame is sexy dancing. This is Pia’s chance to show how she hasn’t changed much at all in terms of physique as she remains shapely as ever and to prove her acting mettle as she plays the pivotal roe of Auntie Lily.

The title is the Filipino version of a Spanish expression “que se joda”, the literal meaning of which may be deemed unprintable, so for our purpose let’s translate it to mean, “Who cares?”. It’s the story of a Filipino balikbayan, Elsa, who returns from the Philippines after living in Australia for ten years. Tagging along with her is her Australian boyfriend, Paul. Upon their return, Elsa meets Rogelio, a former boyfriend because he’s engaged to be married to her younger cousin, Purita, who’s the daughter of her Auntie Lily. Chaos ensues when Elsa realizes that she’s still in love with Rogelio and Paul falls for Purita. The movie is told through the eyes and colorful gayspeak of Mariposa Alibangbang, the transvestite beautician who’s Auntie Lily’s assistant.

Aside from Pia, Cogie Domingo, a respected and multi-awarded actor is also part of the cast as Paul. Filipino thespians complete the colorful cast :Rais Gange plays Mariposa Alibangbang, Chez Mercado as Elsa, Liezel Reyes as Purita, and Jonathan Macute as Rogelio.

The movie was based on an English stage play by Manny Asuncion and Mark Villaracho. Asuncion is a Filipino writer who’s migrated to Australia. He wrote the screenplay of the movie and produced it as well in cooperation with Sandugo Film Production. John Novela directs.

This romantic-comedy movie is set to premiere in a private screening in Melbourne and will soon be shown in select theaters in both Australia and the Philippines.

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