Baby Go, Prepared for 2017 and Beyond

“Sa akin naman ay nakapaghintay nga ako, kasi, awa ng Diyos, wala naman akong utang sa bangko, wala akong binabayaran na interes, at lahat ho ng negosyo kailangan , may tiyaga ka na maghihintay kung kalian siya babalik,” astutely answered Baby Go, dubbed as the Queen of Indie Films. The owner of BG Productions International plans to start producing four new feature films between January and February of 2017.

In 2016 alone, the fast-rising independent film outfit produced 5 films, 4 of which either won awards both locally and internationally or participated in national film festivals. These films are Siphayo, Area, Iadya Mo Kami, Laut and Tupang Ligaw. Unlike other production companies who try to make their mark by having their films compete in local film festivals like Cinemalaya, Cinema One Originals, and Metro Manila Film Festival, Baby Go decided to steer the ship towards a riskier territory and go international right away. 

They say, the higher the risk, the higher the gain. And right they are, because in just four years in the business, the films produced by BG garnered accolades from the 14^th Dhaka International Film Festival, 12^th Eurasia International Film Festival, Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival, Fantasporto Director’s Week Competition, 4^th Silk Road Film Festival, 2^nd Yerevan Salento International Film Festival, etc. Though Tupang Ligaw didn’t gain much prestige as the others, they are still glad they made the gamble of having the film helmed by 70-year old Rod Santiago, who was known as an illustrator and graphic designer, making this his directorial debut.

Joel Lamangan is the director who helmed the largest number of BG productions while Allen Dizon acted in four of them, one of those is Iadya Mo Kami, which will have screenings in 2017 for Filipino communities in Italy, as confirmed by his manager and BG mainstay, Dennis Evangelista. “Yung Laut gusto ipalabas ng GMA 7 kahit selected cinemas. Yung aming Area, marami pa siyang festival na nakaline-up for next year. For January, World Cinema Section yung Laut sa Dhaka Film Festival,” said the latter. Dennis also confirmed that Nuclear Family by Jason Paul Laxamana will push through and they are just looking for an actress to replace Ara Mina, who they eventually decided was too beautiful for the role of the dark and depraved protagonist. 

Asie from lulti-awarded actor Allen Dizon, actors and actresses that have made their mark in the industry and who have appeared in BG Productions' films are: Ai-Ai de las Alas, Matteo Guidicelli, Ejay Falcon, Jake Cuenca, Lovi Poe, Snooky Serna, Aiko Melendez, Sunshine Dizon, Ricky Davao, Gloria Diaz,Melai Cantiveros, Eddie Garcia, Ara Mina, Bangs Garcia, Ana Capri, Natalie Hart, Paolo Contis, Barbie Forteza, Isabelle Daza, Luis Alandy, Joem Bascon, LJ Reyes, polo Ravales, Mike Tan, Enzo Pineda, Rico Barrera, Victor Basa, Katrina Halili, Christopher Rozas, Ina Feleo, Rosanna Roces, Lauren Young, Miggs Cuaderno, Therese Malvar, Mona Louise Rey, Felixia Dizon, and Diana Zubiri.

"Kahit mahirap ang mag-produce, at medyo matagal ang return of investment, but this is already my commitment. Kaya hangga't narito ako't kaya ko pa, tuloy pa rin tayo," said Baby Go. Last November 19, 2016, she was honored as the Most Outstanding Filipino in the Field of Independent Cinema Productions and Aesthetics at the 15^th Annual Gawad Amerika Awards.