On December 1, 2023, Mentorque Productions set a cinematic history with the kick-off of its film, “MALLARI,” the first Filipino movie to be distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures. This groundbreaking event commenced with a grand media and fan conference at Cinema 5 and Activity Center, SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City, signaling the start of a month-long journey leading to its release in the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) 2023 on December 25.
Starring the Philippines’ ultimate heartthrob, Piolo Pascual, in the role of Fr. Juan Severino Mallari, the film explores the haunting narrative of the first Filipino priest executed by the Spanish colonial government. To celebrate this momentous occasion, Mentorque Productions, in collaboration with Cleverminds Incorporated, has curated the biggest and grandest media and fan conference-in-one.
The mall’s activity center during the fan conference. The event, open to the public, anticipated an audience of 2,000, comprising artists’ fans, movie enthusiasts, vloggers, and social media influencers.
Present at the December 1 event are key figures, including John Bryan Diamante, the president of Mentorque Productions, and the main cast, including Piolo Pascual, Janella Salvador, JC Santos, Gloria Diaz, and more.
“MALLARI” is a gripping narrative, partly fictional and partly true-to-life, inspired by the harrowing story of Fr. Mallari, a 19th-century parish priest who became the first and only recorded Filipino serial killer. The film, antedating Jack The Ripper by more than 60 years, promises to be the scariest movie this Christmas season during its MMFF 2023 run in cinemas nationwide.
The film’s development started in 2018, receiving the green light from Mentorque in 2022. Directed by Derick Cabrido, the team shot the film in various historic locations in the Philippines, including a specially built village to recreate an authentic setting. “MALLARI” boasts three timelines, combining the audience’s love for retro horror with the immediate relatability of current terrors, ensuring a unique and spine-chilling cinematic experience.
