The search for justice in Sinag Maynila 2025 entry ‘Selda Tres’
The search for justice in Sinag Maynila 2025 entry ‘Selda Tres’
The cast and director behind Selda Tres
GB Sampedro, the director behind Astig, Separados, Mang Kepweng Returns, and Love Is Love, is back in action as he leads the Sinag Maynila Independent Film Festival 2025 entry, Selda Tres. The action-drama movie stars Cesar Montano, Carla Abellana, and JM De Guzman, which revolves around a brief and wrongful incarceration, leading to a law office messenger defending his former cellmates in court as a paralegal.
From Five 2 Seven Entertainment Production, it is written by Eric Ramos and is executive produced by GB Sampedro and Alex Rodriguez. Sampedro feels honored to be a part of the film festival, mentioning how he looks up to festival director Brillante Mendoza and even his co-director Joel Lamangan, whose film Madawag Ang Landas Patungong Pag-Asa is also a finalist in this year’s Sinag Maynila.
De Guzman talked about how grateful he was to have worked with his co-stars, especially since he idolizes Montano. He was amazed by their work ethic, as Montano always comes to the set ready, and Abellana determined to learn even the most technical of jargons just to give justice to her role as an attorney.
From the director’s statement, “Selda Tres is a film about the search for justice in a world tainted by injustice. It exposes a system plagued by corruption, while also telling a story of family, love, and sacrifice.” The film comes after the recent turn of events on the national scale that exposed the corruption affairs associated with contractors and politicians.
The cast were also asked about their thoughts on the said corruption issues that plague the country, all affirming their stand against it. Abellana, dubbed as the ‘Patron Saint of Concerned Citizens,’ expresses her empathy for the Filipino people despite her inability to join the rallies. She acknowledges that, aside from the thieving politicians, there is also the issue of animal cruelty in the Philippines that must not be overlooked.
“Sana makatrabaho ko pa ulit si direk Sampedro,” Montano said as he shared how grateful he was for the project. He looked back at his filmography, especially his works with the late National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts Marilou Diaz-Abaya (Bagong Buwan, Muro-Ami), mentioning how she was a perfectionist who pushed him to commit to his characters, going so far as to prepare for 7 months studying Spanish for Jose Rizal.
Screening Schedule
SEPT 24, WED
12:30 PM — SM Fairview
8:00 PM — Gateway C17
SEPT 25, THUR
12:30 PM — Robinsons Manila
3:00 PM — Trinoma
5:30 PM — Market Market
8:00 PM — SM Mall of Asia
SEPT 26, FRI
12:30 PM — Gateway C17
3:00 PM — Robinsons Antipolo
5:30 PM — SM Fairview
7:00 PM — Gateway C18 (Gala Screening)
SEPT 27, SAT
12:30 PM — Trinoma
3:00 PM — SM Mall of Asia
8:00 PM — SM Fairview
SEPT 28, SUN
12:30 PM — Market Market
3:00 PM — Gateway C17
5:30 PM — Robinsons Manila
8:00 PM — Robinsons Antipolo
SEPT 29, MON
5:30 PM — SM Mall of Asia
SEPT 30, TUE
12:30 PM — Gateway C17
5:30 PM — Robinsons Antipolo
8:00 PM — Trinoma
