Exposed and used to living a life of leisure, businessman, former model, and part-time actor Tony ‘Boy’ de la Rea says he had to dig deep into lessons learned in several acting workshops as he played his most demanding role in a film. The role is that of a disciplinarian father who rules over his children with an iron hand until the children break away in a rebellious streak. Some choose to live by their own rules, pay the price of cutting relations with the family, and some permanently. The movie, which is eyeing a June playdate, is called Paghilom, produced by siblings Tony and Nette de la Rea under the newly formed and family-owned Cine Silang. The company name is a tribute to their hometown, Silang, Cavite, where the de la Rea’s run a resort and farm. Paghilom, in fact, is also a showcase of the little, uphill town that sits one of the oldest churches in the Philippines. The Silang church takes pride in its white marble retablo, the only retablo built by Jesuits in the Philippines and the second oldest retablo in the country.

The cast of 'Paghilom'

‘Paghilom’ is a gathering of Tony’s many friends, led by Jane Umali (playing his wife), and Azenith Briones, Sharmaine Suarez, Bridge Romero, and Lance Raymundo. Introduced are Piolo Broso, Joshua de Guzman and Genesis Esguerra. Tony says producing a film is a passion. Yet, more than being passionate about it, he wants to impart the value of healing, reconciliation and forgiveness among families. “We want our audience to appreciate their family more after watching this film,” says co-producer Nette. ‘Paghilom’ is directed by Tejay Gonzales, with Lala Servano as assistant director.