Journeyman Film Review

 JOURNEYMAN Mini Review

by Mars Callo

Directed by Christian Paolo Lat and Dominic Lat

Starring JC Santos, Ruby Ruiz, Jasmine Curtis Smith, Darlyn Izabelle Salang, Raffy Tejada

Give JC Santos any role and he can nail it hard. In Journeyman he plays Angelo, a professional losing boxer who does the job for quick money and for his sickly daughter (Darlyn Izabelle Salang) and wife played by another brilliant actress Jasmine Curtis Smith. 

If you are familiar with director, Christian Paolo Lat, he also had his directorial debut of a boxing inspired film, Ginhawa, shown in 2022. This time he worked on this film together with brother Dominic who also served as co-director and cinematographer. Cool tandem. 

Journeyman explores the shady side of boxing in which matches can be fixed. Raffy Tejada plays Angelo's corrupt handler who instills in his boxer's mind that even if he doesn't win his fights, just think of the prize money that he can bring home for his family's needs. 

Notable scenes can be credited to Ms Ruby Ruiz as Nay Rosario, who works at a fish port where JC side hustles as a kargador of fish and other seafood faves. She gives life lessons to inspire Angelo to overcome trials and challenges and what life throws back at him.  

Kudos to JC who gained weight and trained hard for at least a couple of months just to be in top boxing shape and making his fight scenes very convincing all throughout the film. He can also consider this project as one of his most notable to date. 

Adding extra punch was a cameo from world champion Gerry Penalosa who brought authenticity to the sport that made him shine and famous during his active fighting years. He has truly inspired a lot of boxers to work extra hard and follow their dreams and bring glory and pride to the nation as a boxing champ eventually. 

These are the awards of JOURNEYMAN during Puregold Cine Panalo 2025 Awards Night:

Panalo Sa International Jury, Panalo sa Cinematography (tie with Olsen’s Day), Panalo sa Film Poster, the MTRCB Special Award for Responsableng Paglikha, Panalo sa Brand Intrusion, and the Puregold Always Panalo Film shared with the romantic-comedy film Fleeting by Catsi Catalan.

Theatre Titas to Stage Original Twin Bill “DEDMA” this Summer

Manila 2025. After a series of reruns of their production of Juan Ekis’ Twenty Questions, Theatre Titas is set to stage two original plays this summer with Dedma–a twin bill that explores the delicate relationships of Manila’s elite, the choices they make, and the masks they wear.

Dedma will feature two original scripts: Let’s Do Lunch and The Foxtrot, both penned by Theatre Titas’

co-founder, Chesie Galvez-Cariño.

Let’s Do Lunch is a catch-up between two old friends, Val and Issa, played by Naths Everett and Issa

Litton respectively. The tête-à-tête quickly deteriorates when the power dynamics between them shifts

from pleasantries to passive aggression. Also in the cast is Ash Nicanor as the househelp Bebang. Let’s

Do Lunch will be directed by Maribel Legarda.

The Foxtrot was first performed last June at Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez (CCP Black Box Theater) as

part of the Virgin Labfest 19 (2024), a project of the Cultural Center of the Philippines, the Writer's Bloc

Inc., and Tanghalang Pilipino Foundation Inc. The play gives us a glimpse of the taut relationship between Diego, a dance instructor, and Anna, a wealthy matron, at their last rehearsal for an amateur ballroom dancing competition. The play stars JC Santos as he reprises his role as the dance instructor Diego, and Jackie Lou Blanco who takes on the role of Anna. Paul Alexander Morales takes the helm once again.

Dedma will run weekends from March 29 - April 13, 2025 at the Mirror Studio Theatre 2, with 8pm

performances Fridays thru Sundays and 3pm matinée performances on Saturdays and Sundays.

Tickets can be purchased starting March 3, 2025 for 1000 pesos each at teeq.live

For marketing or press related inquiries, contact CHEESE at theatretitasph@gmail.com