RGV Short Film, 16 minutes, World Premiere

Synopsis: After the traumatic events of a party gone violent, Filipino-American teen, Peter, asks guidance from his older brother, Kuya Marcel.  Tragedy looms heavy in this unique ghost story, soaked in the melodrama of an LGBTQ+ romance and embraced in bittersweet familial love 

Paolo Santiago, Johan Dano

Bio:

Paolo Santiago 

I was born in Zamboanga City, Philippines with a hole in my heart. We emigrated to the United States of America for my surgery and ended up staying here because of the opportunities for me. I still missed my family back home. I missed seeing faces that looked like mine. I missed my people. But my parents made that transition easier.  They watched movies with me all the time as a kid, and going to the theater became a cherished event for me. These moments with my family sparked my love for films, and my father’s fun facts about movies made me want to look further in the media I was consuming. By doing so, I became inspired. I soon learned to express myself through art, singing and writing songs, and making videos for my family to enjoy. Theater became a passion of mine, but I wasn’t getting cast in roles I knew I was capable of playing. There wasn’t a lot of opportunities for Filipino Americans like myself. So I decided to create my own opportunities by writing, directing, and starring in my own stories. I want to see more Fil-Am faces on screen and it’s a passion of mine to either share the  experiences of Filipino Americans, or just tell stories featuring Filipino Americans. My people are beautiful, talented, and rich with culture and I hope to celebrate them in my art.

Johan Dano

Moving to America, my parents wanted to live out their dreams through their only child me, but this wasn't going to be the case. Unfortunately, I let them down when I didn't want to become a doctor or an engineer. While my parents pressured me into joining programs like health science courses in my school, I decided to secretly go against their wishes and join theater. And through the processes of learning lines, expressing myself on stage, and becoming one with the community, I realized what my true calling was : to be an actor. Despite my parents' disapproval, I continued to pursue my dream. Over the years, I've participated in numerous stage productions, but this project marked my first on-screen performance. Filming it as an only child, I cherished the opportunity to experience a sense of brotherhood I'd always longed for.

My courage has gotten me through so much, and I know that the opportunities I have now wouldn’t be mine if I decided to abide by the standards that have been forced upon me by society. I have built an empire upon both the challenges and opportunities that have been presented to me throughout my journey as someone who has been seen as different since day one. The day I was born, thunder split the sidewalk in two; one was for me and the other was for all of you.