The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
by Boy Villasanta
What sets apart a feature biopic from a documentary film?
A lot.
In a filmbio, the narrative is creatively woven wholly or loosely based on facts and figures.
In a doc project, the veracity of the characters, situations, circumstances, actions, relationships, even motives etc. are truthful and verifiable.
In other words, accuracy and precision are expected of an audio-visual docu.
Meanwhile, a creative non-fiction approach is another dimension in treating a biographically themed story.
As is, there are other derivatives and mutations to present a movie based on a true-to-life story.
Therefore, where does “Sa Likod ng Tsapa: The Story of Col. Hansel Marantan,” a production of Pop Moviehouse and Newsline Philippines, fall under?
“It’s a combination of creative filmmaking and archival sources,” replied Edith Caduaya, news hen, producer and director of the film project.
The story is about the police exploits of Col. Hansel Marantan, a controversial figure who was involved in the Atimonan. Quezon shootout in 2013 which led to his incarceration for five years, the serving of arrest warrants and raid on the house of Negros Oriental 3rd District Congressman Arnulfo Teves, Jr. who was suspect in the murder of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo, the operations that led to the capture of Apollo Quiboloy, founder of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) in Davao City and other high-profile cases.
In the creative non-fiction part, according to Caduaya, she employed talents to reenact significant scenes in the biographical sketch in the law enforcement struggles of Marantan.
Caduaya said that she involved a pool of real talents to give life to ensemble acting which was easier to direct.
However, the part that made her hard to handle was the artistic management of non-actors who had no acting workshops whatsoever before working on cam.
One of the non-actors who interpreted the real-life characterization of Marantan as a police officer was his subordinate and fellow law enforcer Lt. Col. Stefanio Andrenicus Rabino who portrayed the younger Marantan.
Meanwhile, in drawing out information and emotions from real-life persons as resource people, Caduaya had to employ, as well ,a motivational approach, as a directorial device.
This she applied to Marantan and to his “brother” in the service, Col. Mario Mayames who faced the cameras as interviewees, screen non-actors as well.
“These three non-actors weren’t easy to direct,” exclaimed Caduaya.
Based on the trailer screened during the press briefs, it’s clear that the movie, which is showing in cinemas nationwide on August 13, 2025, is a mix of file footage from news orgs like ABS-CBN, GMA Network, TV5, UNTV, net25 etc. and role playing of respective personages.
It is indeed quite exciting to watch it.
Photo Caption: (From left) Lt. Col. Stefanio Andrenicus Rabino, Col. Hanzel Marantan, Edith Cauaya and Col. Mario Mayames (Photo Credit: Boy Villasanta)