Vivamax cult director Roman Perez Jr. is concerned about the prevalence of sexual harassment in various genres. This insightful statement underscores the widespread nature of the issue and emphasizes the need for immediate attention and action.

"Dapat talaga nagkakaroon tayo ng usapan. Dapat kasama rin ang mga direktor at producer sa dialogue. Kasama na rin ang actors. Kung gusto natin pagusapan ang genre na ito, ingatan natin," said Perez when asked about his thoughts on recent alleged sexual assualt cases in showbiz during a media conference for his upcoming movie "Paluwagan" held at Wing Zone Restaurant in Araneta City recently.

(We should have a dialogue: directors, producers, and stars should be included in the dialogue. We need to talk if we want to protect this genre)

Perez emphasized that despite the erotic scenes, the Vivamax production never encountered issues with sexual abuse.

"Hindi nga sa amin nanggagaling ang abusers eh. Nanggagaling sa drama, comedy and music. Safe pala kami. Dahil pinag uusapan namin. Hindi siya taboo sa amin," said Perez.

(The abusers don't come from us. They come from drama, comedy, and music. We are safe. It's because we talk about it. It is not taboo for us)

In August, Sparkle artist Sandro Muhlach, son of actor-businessman Nino Muhlach, alleged he was sexually assaulted by Jojo Nones and Richard Cruz, two independent contractors of GMA Network. The hearing into the sexual assault case is ongoing.

Later, a program researcher from the TV5 network alleged a program manager sexually harassed him. The network official has been dismissed from the broadcast network.

On Aug, 19. OPM singer Gerald Santos revealed he was raped by a musical director of a television network when he was 15. Now in his 30s, Santos made the revelation during a Senate hearing. 

Capturing erotic scenes

Perez has been a director for 10 years. He directed the flick "Unang Tikim," the first GL (girls love) movie of Vivamax shown in theaters recently.

When capturing erotic scenes, Perez insists on a single, uninterrupted take and strictly prohibits the use of cell phones. He assumes the actors in his movie are ready when they arrive on the set.

"Ang daming issue ngayon na lumalabas sa ating industriya. Ang tanong nila sa akin ay napo-protektahan ba ang mga artista? Yes! Lalo na sa set ko.

(There are a lot of issues that are coming up in our industry today. The question they ask me is, are the artists being protected? Yes! Especially on my set.)

"First take lang dahil bago namin gawin ito, meron na kaming intimacy workshop. Hindi na namin kailangan kumuha ng intimacy coordinator.

(It's just a first take because we already have an intimacy workshop before we do this. We don't need to hire an intimacy coordinator.)

"Conscious kasi kami sa ginagawa namin at inaalagaan namin ang mga artista. Ewan ko lang sa iba.

(Because we are conscious of what we do and care for the artists. I don't know about others.)

"Ayoko na makialam sa iba. Ang paggawa ng ganitong pelikula ay responsibility. Responsibilidad ko yan kahit na kanino pa natin itanong yan. Walang naagrabyado at walang na abuse," Perez also said.

(I don't want to interfere with others. Making a film like this is a responsibility. It's my responsibility, no matter what they say. No one is harmed, and no one is abused)

Perez emphasized that Vivamax stars must sign contracts before commencing any movie shoot. This essential step ensures clarity and commitment from both parties, setting the stage for a successful collaboration.

"Kasi bago sila sumalang sa ganitong pelikula, pinapapirma sila ng contract. Anu-ano ang restrictions at ang puwede? Never na nangyari yan sa set namin. Iniingatan namin ang mga artista namin," he added.

(Because before they get involved in a movie like this, they are made to sign a contract. What are the restrictions, and what is allowed? That has never happened on our set. We protect our actors)

Art films

Perez expressed his desire to create art films for Vivamax, which has 11 million subscribers worldwide. He aimed to challenge the perception of Vivamax as solely focused on erotic content.

"Hindi lang dahil sa love scenes. Yun ang gusto kong i-break. Gusto kong gumawa ng documentary kung paano nagiging normal na sa mga mata ng tao ang Vivamax experience. Meron na tayong 11 million subscribers around the world. Nagiging normal na tayo at pop culture na ang Vivamax.

(It's not just because of the love scenes. That's what I want to break. I want to make a documentary about how the Vivamax experience is becoming normal in people's eyes. We now have 11 million subscribers around the world. We are becoming normal, and Vivamax is pop culture)

"Paano natin ito mababago ang landscape para panoorin tayo at maging sustainable? Noon sabi nila fad lang tayo at dadaan lang. Pero three years na tayong malakas. Pero hindi dapat tayo maging malakas. Gawin natin mas matalim ang mga projects para hindi maging ordinaryo," Perez said.

(How can we change the landscape to watch us and be sustainable? They then said we were just a fad and would pass. But we have been strong for three years. But we shouldn't be strong. Let's make the projects sharper so that we don't become ordinary)

'Erotic' films convention

Perez suggested the idea of organizing the country's first convention focused on erotic content to introduce the public to this genre.

"May binubuo kami ngayon na eroticon (erotic convention) kung saan may film talks, history at literature para pag-usapan ang mga bagay na ito. Space ang pinag-uusapan natin dito para magkaroon ng respeto ang mga tao. Trabaho ito. Noon pa man may ganito na."

(We are now creating an eroticon (erotic convention) where there will be film talks, history, and literature to discuss these things. We are talking about space here so that people can have respect. This is work)

In May, Vivamax announced it had reached another milestone. Its subscribers have grown to 11 million, up from seven million in June 2023. The fastest-growing video-on-demand service in the country was launched in January 2021.

Vivamax has more than 500 titles, with over 200 original productions to date. Brand new releases are introduced every week, showcasing Vivamax's commitment to providing immense satisfaction to its audience.

'Paluwagan'

"Paluwagan" stars Micaella Raz, Sheina Yu, Victor Relosa, and Chad Solano.

In the movie, a man is rescued and cared for by an old man named Tata Etchor, who gave him (Victor Relosa) the name Hector because he has no memory of his identity. 

Marites (Shiema Yu), the town’s loud and cunning businesswoman, is interested in Hector. She then asks Tata Enchor, the strange man’s guardian, if Hector would accept a special job offer. 

As it turns out, Marites plans to use Hector’s sex appeal to convince a group of women to join her paluwagan (cooperative savings), and with her having Hector, women could choose whether to get a monetary share or a one-night stand with Hector. 

Many women join, and many choose to spend a night with Hector. One of the women who does this is Julia (Micaella Raz), a young woman unhappy in her marriage to a man named Itong (Chad Solano).

It only took one sexual encounter for Julia to fall for Hector, and their meet-ups eventually continued. 

How long will Marisa manipulate Hector for her business? What is the real identity of Hector? And what would Julia’s husband do once he finds out about his wife’s affair? 

"Paluwagan" will stream exclusively on Vivamax on Sept. 17.