Service (2008) Serbis (original title)

Director:

Brillante Mendoza

Writers:

Armando Lao (story) &
Boots Agbayani Pastor (story) ...
(more)

Release Date:

25 June 2008 (Philippines)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

Service. It's the family business.

Plot:

A drama that follows the travails of the Pineda family in the Filipino city of Angeles. Bigamy, unwanted pregnancy...

Plot Keywords:

Family Business | Goat | Movie Theatre | Caught Naked | Burning Film In The End

Awards:

7 wins & 15 nominations

Cast

Gina Pareño	...	Nanay Flor
Jaclyn Jose	...	Nayda
Julio Diaz	...	Lando
Kristoffer King	...	Ronald (as Kristofer King)
Dan Alvaro	...	Jerome
Coco Martin	...	Alan
Mercedes Cabral	...	Merly
Roxanne Jordan	...	Jewel
Dido De La Paz	...	Atty. Quintana (as Dido Dela Paz)
Benjie Filomeno	...	Thief
Buddy Caramat	...	Tonette (as Buddy Salvador Caramat)
Bobby Jerome Go	...	Jonas
Julia Taylor	...	Cross Dresser
Jemmalyn Galicia	...	Susan
Nico Taverna	...	Santy
Aaron Rivera	...	Ricky (as Aaron Christian Rivera)
Billy Ray Gali	...	Student
Babylee Borromeo	...	Peter
Arnold Toledo	...	Serbis Boy
Arman Reyes	...	Old Gay from Manila
Armando Lao	...	Gay with cellphone
Rex Due	...	Policeman
Ted Amo	...	Macho Gay
Rod Capua	...	Policeman (as Rod Capua)
Clarence Ayuyao	...	Cross Dresser
Blue Seal	...	Flower Vendor
Andy Picache	...	Edwin
Marites Nuñez	...	Carol
Emerson Salangsang	...	Edwin Kid 1
Ursula Tiotuico	...	Edwin Kid 2
Gina Villa	...	Distraught Mother
Ira Tuazon	...	Daughter
Aldrin Zubiri	...	Serbis Boy
Kevin Javier	...	Serbis Boy
J.B. Parker	...	Serbis Boy
Paul Espidido	...	Serbis Boy
Reymond Mendoza	...	Serbis Boy (as Raymond Mendoza)
Bryan Martin	...	Serbis Boy
Ricardo Valbuena III	...	Serbis Boy
Julius Habal	...	Serbis Boy
Orlando Abion	...	Serbis Boy
Alfie Baluyot	...	Serbis Boy
Jeff Batungbakal	...	Serbis Boy
Bong Santos	...	Serbis Boy
Herminio Batungbakal	...	Serbis Boy
J.R. Batungbakal	...	Serbis Boy
Diego Marx Dobles	...	Serbis Boy
Ryan Yanga	...	Serbis Boy
Erika de Jesus	...	Gay Patron
Richard Rodriguez	...	Gay Patron
Marvin Rea	...	Gay Patron
Rey Yumang	...	Gay Patron
Reymar Belano	...	Gay Patron
Eddie Carlos	...	Gay Patron
Amang de Guzman	...	Gay Patron
Shiela Sanchez	...	Gay Patron
Vic Baguio	...	Gay Patron
Dario Leosa	...	Gay Patron
Ronel Javier	...	Gay Patron
Pancho Pantig	...	Gay Patron
Joy Aronce	...	Gay Patron
Angus Miranda	...	Gay Patron
Kyro Baldemor	...	Soap Opera Actor (as Keiro Baldemor)
Jean Andrews	...	Soap Opera Actor
Sofia Lee	...	Soap Opera Actor
Kenji Valdez	...	Soap Opera Actor
Gina Diaz	...	Nun
Ofelia Gueco	...	Nun
Jason Paul Laxamana	...	Diner
Arianne Camille Rivera	...	Diner
Charlie Mallari	...	Diner
Cristina Sanchez Galicia	...	Mother
Cherry Bengco	...	Mother
Teresita Bengco	...	Mother
Miriam Go	...	Mother
Justin Bengco	...	Jonas' Schoolmate
Reggie Paguio	...	Jonas' Schoolmate
Justin Agustin	...	Jonas' Schoolmate
Wally Agbuya	...	Jonas' Schoolmate
Jayson Agustin	...	Jonas' Schoolmate

Directed by
Brillante Mendoza		(as Brillante Ma. Mendoza)

Writing credits
Armando Lao		(story) &
Boots Agbayani Pastor		(story)
Armando Lao		(screenplay)

Produced by
Didier Costet	....	executive producer
Antonio del Rosario	....	supervising producer
Renato Esguerra	....	associate producer
Nolan Estacio	....	post producer: Engine Room
Ferdinand Lapuz	....	producer
J.C. Nigado	....	supervising producer (as JC Nigado)

Original Music by
Gian Gianan

Cinematography by
Odyssey Flores		(director of photography)

Film Editing by
Claire Villa-Real

Casting by
Ed Instrella

Production Design by
Benjamin Padero
Carlo Tabije

Art Direction by
Harley Alcasid
Deans Habal

Makeup Department
Georginna Desuasido	....	prosthetics (as Georgina Gesuasido)
Julius Gabor	....	makeup artist

Production Management
Marc Ambat	....	post-production supervisor: Optima Digital
Rod Capua	....	production manager (as Rod Capua)
Pete Jimenez	....	general manager: Optima Digital

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Aurel Ayson	....	assistant director

Art Department
Orlando Abion	....	propsman
Vilma del Rosario	....	props buyer
Benjie Filomeno	....	scenic artist
Jeff Galicia	....	carpenter
Jessie Galicia	....	carpenter
Joel Sanchez	....	set man
Jun Sanchez	....	set man
Eric Valera	....	carpenter

Sound Department
Prisciano Canape	....	boom-man: MIDI Sound Studios (as Priciano Canapi)
Emmanuel Nolet Clemente	....	sound
Julius Habal	....	haze machine operator: MIDI Sound Studios
Jojo Jacinto	....	sound recordist: MIDI Sound Studios
Joseph Santos	....	boom-man: MIDI Sound Studios
Benido Viaña Jr.	....	sound recordist: Opticolors

Visual Effects by
Joel Alagao	....	digital effects artist: Optima Digital
Jackson An	....	engineer: Optima Digital
Tess Bautista	....	digital effects artist: Optima Digital
Eric Carlos	....	resolve colorist: Optima Digital
Frank Chico	....	engineer: Optima Digital
Ice Cruz	....	y front colorist: Optima Digital
James Ecito	....	resolve colorist: Optima Digital
Marilen Magsaysay	....	resolve colorist: Optima Digital
Nelson Medina	....	digital effects artist: Optima Digital
Leo Mendoza	....	digital effects artist: Optima Digital
Ruben Ramirez	....	engineer: Optima Digital
Lope Robredillo	....	engineer: Optima Digital
Abi Sta. Ana	....	digital effects artist: Optima Digital
Stephen Sy	....	visual effects supervisor: Optima Digital

Stunts
Marlon Boribor	....	stunts
Jhony Casayuran	....	stunts
Arnel Clarino	....	stunts
Rodolfo Gedraga	....	stunts
Regor Masilang	....	stunts (as Rigor Masilang)
Obet Palaca	....	stunts (as Obet Palaka)
Rigo Ramirez	....	stunt director

Camera and Electrical Department
Harley Alcasid	....	still photographer
Apple Anao	....	video assist: CMB Film Services
Levi Barzo	....	lights crew
Delfin Betiz	....	lights crew
Walter Bolanos	....	assistant cameraman (as Wally Bolanos)
Angelo Caldo	....	lights crew
Allan Corpuz	....	lights crew
Benjie De Vera	....	gaffer
Jeffrey Dela Cruz	....	camera operator
Darry Delina	....	camera lifter: CMB Film Services (as Darry Delinia)
Ricky Faeldonia	....	electrician: CMB Film Services
Jun Gatchalian	....	clapper loader: CMB Film Services
Ronald Matias	....	generator caretaker: CMB Film Services
William Mayuga	....	lights crew
Edgardo Panahon	....	lights crew
Arvin Rait	....	second assistant cameraman: CMB Film Services
Welson Rendon	....	lights crew
Julius Salarda	....	behind-the-scenes camera
Frannie Santos	....	lights crew
Mario Santos	....	lights crew

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Hedjie Calagui	....	wardrobe (as Hedji Calagui)

Editorial Department
Antonio Acurin	....	negative checker/asembler: Opticolors
Larry Castillo	....	post-production producer: Optima Digital
K.C. Pamintuan	....	post production coordinator: Optima Digital (as Kacey Pamintuan)
Armen Teh	....	color grader: Opticolors

Transportation Department
Boyet Abajero	....	driver
PJ Agtarap	....	driver
Louie Aquino	....	driver
Bonifacio Esguerra	....	driver
Ryan Ligarte	....	driver
Johan Lojero	....	driver
Domeng Mumar	....	driver

Other crew
Michael Abajero	....	utility
Restie Adriano	....	engineer: Opticolors
Salvador Alfaro	....	positive machine operator: Opticolors
Eduardo Alvaro Jr.	....	film revisor/projectionist: Opticolors
Ranniel Araw	....	engineer: Engine Room
Glenn Mark Ariel	....	subtitler
Aurel Ayson	....	dialect coach
Maureen Baniqued	....	traffic coordinator: Opticolors
Joselito Cerbito	....	film revisor/projectionist: Opticolors
Rene Colinares	....	catering services: Dante's Peak Catering Services
Christian Cortez	....	systems administrator: Optima Digital
Aurora Cruz	....	production coordinator
Aries David	....	animal trainer
Diego Marx Dobles	....	assistant script supervisor
Diego Marx Dobles	....	dialect coach
Bernard Esguerra	....	catering services: Dante's Peak Catering Services
Odette Filio	....	chief operating officer: Engine Room (as Odette F. Filio)
Ver Ian Flores	....	catering services: Dante's Peak Catering Services
Aileen Gabriel	....	traffic coordinator: Engine Room
Cristina Galicia	....	dialect coach
Ronald Lacumbis	....	catering services: Dante's Peak Catering Services
Jason Paul Laxamana	....	dialect coach
Jason Paul Laxamana	....	script supervisor
Jesthela Lizardo	....	marketing manager: Optima Digital
Raffy Magsaysay	....	head: MIDI Sound Studios
Marivic Manguiat	....	project coordinator: Opticolors
Ronnie Mazan	....	engineer: Opticolors
Brandon Rambo Mendoza	....	utility
Edmon Moya	....	utility (as Edmond Moya)
Steven Orrica	....	engineer: Engine Room (as Steve Orrica)
Freddie Pagnamitan	....	printer operator: Opticolors
Roel Peralta	....	utility
Marizaly J. Quitania	....	researcher
Nelson Ramos	....	negative machine operator: Opticolors
Ronald Rebua	....	catering services: Dante's Peak Catering Services
Angie Reyes	....	head: MIDI Sound Studios
Catalino Reyes	....	engineer: Opticolors
John Paul Reyes	....	head: MIDI Sound Studios
Joel Sanchez	....	dialect coach
Jun Sanchez	....	dialect coach
Sandy Santamaria	....	sales manager: Opticolors
Ferdinand Santos	....	printer operator: Opticolors
Eng Tamayo	....	sales producer: Optima Digital
George Toralba	....	technical operations manager: Opticolors
Allan Ulaso	....	positive machine operator: Opticolors (as Alan Ulaso)
Ike Veneracion	....	vice president of creative services: Engine Room
Benido Viaña Jr.	....	engineering head: Opticolors
Bruno Barde	....	press attache: France (uncredited)
Agnès Leroy	....	press attache: France (uncredited)
Céline Petit	....	press attache: France (uncredited)

Production Companies

• Centerstage Productions
• Swift Productions
• Asian Cinema Fund (Pusan International Film Festival) (grant)
• Hong Kong Asia Film Financing Forum (grant)

Distributors

• Fortissimo Films (2008) (worldwide) (theatrical)
• Cathay-Keris Films (2009) (Singapore) (theatrical)
• Maximum Film Distribution (2009) (Canada) (theatrical)
• Paradiso Entertainment (2009) (Netherlands) (theatrical)
• Regent Releasing (2008) (USA) (theatrical) (subtitled)
• Swift Productions (2008) (Philippines) (theatrical)
• Équation Distribution (2008) (France) (theatrical)
• Arte (2010) (France) (TV)
• Arte (2010) (Germany) (TV)
• E1 Entertainment Distribution (2010) (USA) (DVD)
• E1 Entertainment (2010) (USA) (DVD)
• Paradox Entertainment Group (2010) (Canada) (DVD)

Special Effects

• Optima Digital (visual and digital effects)

Other Companies

• CMB  camera crew (as CMB Film Services)
• Dante's Peak Catering  catering services
• Engine Room  post-production
• Kodak Philippines  film stock
• MIDI Sound Studios  sound facilities
• Murphy PR  publicity
• Opticolors  post-production
• Optima Digital  post-production
• Reeltime Creative  creative advertising materials
• Roadrunner Network  digital film recording
• Titra Film Paris  subtitles: original version with subtitles

Also Known As:

"Serbis" - Philippines (original title)

MPAA:

Rated R for sexual content, nudity and language

Runtime:

90 min

Country:

Philippines | France | South Korea | Hong Kong

Language:

Filipino | Tagalog

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Certification:

Philippines:R-18 (MTRCB) (re-rating) | Philippines:X (original rating) | Singapore:R21 (cut) | Argentina:18 | France:-12 (with warning) | USA:R | New Zealand:R18 | Netherlands:16 | Portugal:M/18

Filming Locations:

Angeles City, Pampanga, Philippines

Company:

Centerstage Productions

Trivia:

French visa # 121615 delivered on 28-10-2008.

Movie Connections:

References Lollipop & Roses (2005)

A whole lot of stairs to climb!

This is just the type of theater that one would expect to see certain politicians in the corner hiding from the press and their constituents. It is a seedy gay theater that shows heterosexual soft core porn films.

We go up and down the stairs of this theater as the family that runs it plays out their lives. Director Brillante Mendoza won a few awards, including a Golden Palm nomination.

Jacklyn Jose was very good as the daughter who keeps things going. She also has a very cute kid (Bobby Jerome Go). Gina Pareño won an Asian Film Award for her role as the matriarch who is trying to get rid of her philandering husband. Meanwhile, Alan's (Coco Martin) girlfriend (Mercedes Cabral) is pregnant, inspiring more drama and yelling. All of this occurs as they struggle to keep the last of three movie houses from going bankrupt.

The ending is pretty anticlimactic and I really didn't see it coming.