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Speaking of ginawa, what did you do as producer?
First of all, it’s our first time to be a producer. Parang matrikula namin ito. It was a learning experience. We came up with a budget. We hired a line producer, Jon’s wife, Carol. We made sure that people were fed and that they got paid for their services.

Thank God some settled for honorarium instead of their regular fees. Now, it’s very important for us to sell the film. I’m looking at this film not from an artist’s point-of-view, but from a producer’s point-of-view na ‘We have to sell.’

Do you think the movie is saleable?
Yes. The way the film was done was independent, but the essence of the product itself is mainstream. It’s a love story at the same time. It’s about a guy (Ryan Eigenmann) trying to save this bar girl (Gwen Garci). Being part of the industry, my co-filmmakers and I wanted to contribute something, but with the objective of having film that has commercial appeal and that is marketable.

What were the insights or lessons you gained after this experience of making Beerhouse?
Now I think I can sympathize with Mother Lily! Being a producer is very stressful, especially if it’s hard-earned money that you spend to make the film.

Aside from the financial aspect, as a producer, you also worry about the people’s reaction to your film. During the premiere, you don’t know if the people will like your film or not…. So far, we’ve had good feedback.

What’s your take on free movies on the Internet?
Nakakalungkot. That’s what (American writer-director) Paul Schrader said in his talk at Cinemanila. He said, ‘In this generation, they think films are free.’ Young people today just download films. Nawala na yung culture dati na merong moviegoing public. Movies used to be the cheapest form of entertainment.

Because of the high prices of movie tickets, we are losing the mass-based audience – they are now buying the pirated DVDs. Sana hindi ma-pirate ang pelikula namin. I’m really appealing na mabuhay ang pelikula. Because if not, there will come a point na maybe people like me will be very discouraged to produce.

But this is a phenomenon that is happening not only in the Philippines but worldwide.