PUGON (THE FURNACE)

 

i

SYNOPSIS:

Thrown into the pawnship slavery to pay the debt of her poor parents is Sonia (Jhassy Busran), a 14-year-old girl full of dreams from a fishing village, a community where pawning their children is the norm. Forced into labor for a sum their parents get is an abuse the kids need to face every day.

Her baptism of fire begins when she is brought to a bread factory. Along with other children, they witness the acts of abuse by their employer, Mang Rey (Soliman Cruz).

After ten months of servitude, they could finally get back home. Shock and dismay welcome her back as she learns that her father had died. This forces her mother to pawn her again as payment for her father’s funeral expenses.

Like the rest of the child-laborers from the Bread Factory, all homeless and in debt once more, a question awaits to be answered: 

When will this cycle of debt bondage end? 

To Sonia, is a bright future even possible? How will she deal with her fate?

CAST: 

 ANDREA DEL ROSARIO: Nympa/Nanang 
 SOLIMAN CRUZ: Mang Rey 
 JHASSY BUSRAN: Sonia  
 BAMBOO B:         Gibb 
 CASSIE KIM: Lita  
 SHEENA LEE PALAD: Dra. Sonia  
 CARMEN DEL ROSARIO: Nanay Carmen 
 EDMOND SANTIAGO: Child transporter  
 JILIAN ALSAYBAR:  Little girl 

PRODUCTION STAFF 

Director:          Gabby Ramos
Executive Producer:  Samuel Ramos
Story & Screen Play:    Gabby Ramos, 

                                         Joey Signh
Director of Photography: Ricky Fiesta
Production Design: Benedict Fajardo 
Production Manager: May Pineda 
Assist. Director: Julius Bergado 
Location Manager: Henry Tenorio
Editor:         Gabby Ramos
Assist. Editor: Ed Ubales 
Colorist:         Clang Sison 
Musical Scoring: Joseph Y. Tan 
Camera Operator: Hance Ygot 
Audioman:         Mark Ajero 
Script Continuity: Mary Grace Tenorio 
Talent Coordinator: Brenda Tenorio 
Props & Wardrobe: Fernando Quilala
Hair & Make Up: Jhoanna Santiago 
Setmen:  Luwi Villela & Robelito Tenorio 

DIRECTOR’S PROFILE

JUAN GABRIEL RAMOS aka Gabby Ramos
Director, Writer, Editor

Born April 4, 1980 in Batangas City, Philippines, Juan Gabriel M. Ramos AKA Direk Gabby Ramos is one of the country’s Audio Visual director in Television, Film and Commercial.   

Direk Gabby’s Key Strengths are Directing, Writing, Editing and Cinematography

He graduated Cum Laude in Far Eastern University with post Study at Bond University, Australia.

In the Philippines, Direk Gabby worked with Top government and leading companies including the Department of Tourism, Department of Trade and Industry, NEDA, TESDA, DOLE, DOE, Studio 23, ABS CBN, GMA 7 and more.

He is also a successful businessman venturing in his own FILM Production Company: Remedios Entertainment Production or “REMS FILM “

CREATIVE BACKGROUND

Director: Badminton Extreme Studio 23
Director: Pinoy Harvest IBC 13
Director (2nd Unit): Unang Hirit GMA 7
Director (TVC) Alaska, Camella Homes, CHIC products etc.
Director (STAGE): Higher Jed Madela, Imelda Papin Queen at 45 etc.
Creative Producer / Line Producer:  Malvar the Movie   

FILMOGRAPHY

Full Length Film 2012:   A BEAUTIFUL BOY  
Short Film 2019: THE QUEEN Imelda Papin Life Story
Short Film 2020:  ANG MGA ABO “The Ashes “
Short Film 2021:  PUGON
Short Film 2021:  USOK
Short Film 2021:  FATIMA

CITATION

ANG MGA ABO “The Ashes“:  2021 Quisumbing Escandor Film Festival  Finalist (on going)

Anatolia International Film Festival: Finalist

New York Movie Award: Finalist

Milan Gold Award: Finalist

Florence France Film Award: Finalist

Lost Angeles International Film Festival:  Finalist / Best Director

Sprouting Seeds India International Film Festival:  Winner / 2nd Best Short Film   

DIRECTOR’S STATEMENT

Ang maikling pelikulang ito ay tungkol sa Child Labor, tungkol sa mga anak na naiprenda ng sarili nilang mga magulang, mabuhay lamang ang kanilang pamilya.

Pero sa pelikulang ito ay hindi ka makakakita ng mga batang nagpapakahirap sa minahan. Hindi ka rin makakakita ng mga batang nasadlak sa prostitusyon o mga musmos na pinahihirapang maglakad sa bundok para mag-buhat ng mabibigat na troso, o di kaya’y mamalimos sa lansangan.

Sa halip, ang pelikulang ito ay magpapakita ng mga batang maaring minsan mong naging kalaro, kaibigan o naging kasambahay. Sila ang mga batang isinanla ng kanilang magulang bilang pambayad sa kanilang pagkakautang - kapalit ang kanilang kamusmusan at pagiging inosente.

Ang pelikulang ito ay paglalantad ng reyalidad na, dito sa ating bayan ay normal lang na ipinadadala ng mga magulang ang sarili nilang mga anak para magtrabaho sa ibang lugar at makatulong sa kahirapan ng kanilang pamilya. Nakakatawa mang isipin na ang alam nating panuntunan na “Gagawin lahat ng Magulang, mabuhay lang ang kaniyang mga anak“ ay taliwas sa totoong nangyayari sa kasalukuyan . 

Ang intention ng pelikulang ito ay ipakita ang reyalidad na ito ng buhay, at umaasang masagot ang mga katanungang: Meron bang dapat sisihin? Meron bang dapat gawin? 

At para sa mga bata na nagtratrabaho para lang mabayaran ang pagkakautang ng kanilang mga magulang: Maari ba silang tumanggi? Maari ba silang mamili ng kanilang kunabukasan?