For the first time in three decades, award-winning director Joel Lamangan will both star in and direct the upcoming drama-comedy film "Jackstone 5" under Royal Star Media Production Philippines Inc.

Direk Joel made the revelation during the media conference for the film, which also stars Eric Quizon, Gardo Versoza, Arnell Ignacio, and Jim Pebanco.

"Sa tatlong dekada ko na pagdi-direk, ngayon lang ako gaganap na artista. Naka-rely ako sa aking mga tao sa kabuuan ng pelikula ito. (In my three decades of directing, this is the first time I've played an actor. I relied on my people throughout this film.)"

"Gaganap akong bakla although gumaganap na akong bakla sa TV araw araw bilang Rhoda. Pero hindi ito si Rhoda. (I will play a gay man even though I already play a gay man on TV every day as Rhoda. But this is not Rhoda.)

"Ang mahirap sa role ko ay yung nabuko na ako at malayang malaya na ako maging bakla. Mas higit pa yun kay Rhoda. Yun ang challenge sa akin. (The difficult thing about my role is that I've come out and I'm free to be gay. That's even more so than Rhoda. That's the challenge for me)," said the famed director.

The movie "Jackstone 5" centers around a group of gay men who enjoyed playing jackstones and idolized the Jackson 5, particularly Michael Jackson, during their childhood. Now in their senior years, the five friends who are overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) reunite and travel to Pagsanjan to rekindle their friendships.

Joel said he never dreamed of working abroad, although he has siblings who are OFWs.

"HIndi ako nangarap na maging OFW. Ang pangarap ko ay makatapos ng pag-aaral. Kaya kung saan saang university ako napunta. Pumunta ako UP, Mapua sa iba pang university. Pero may mga kapatid akong OFW. Nag-Saudi at Middle East. Pero never akong nangarap na mag-OFW. Pinag-US Navy ako pero binagsak ko ang exam. Ayokong mag-US Navy," Joel said.

Eric said that his late father, Comedy King Dolphy, was an OFW in the 1950s until he joined Sampaguita Pictures. However, Eric revealed that he had been an OFW for eight years.

"I was an OFW in 2006. At that time, I was busy directing for GMA 7 and working on one teleserye after another. So someone offered me a job there as a creative director for Springtime Productions.

"I worked there for four years. In 2010, my dad appeared on TV5. Then, TV5 hired me to direct that show. Our boss is Manny Pangilinan. So, I said that if I were going to continue my contract, even if I were working in Manila for TV5, then my contract is based in Hong Kong.

"I worked in Hong Kong for eight years. But it never crossed my mind to be an OFW. But I remember wanting to study abroad. But my dad disapproved of it," Eric said.

Eric also recalled watching The Jacksons' concert in Manila in 1976.

"I saw the Jackson 5 concert in 1976. Napanood ko siya kasama ang daddy ko at mga kapatid ko. Ibang experience yun talaga. Hanggang ngayon vivid ang memory ko of that concert. Siyempre Michael Jackson yan eh. I remember kumanta siya at ang taas ng boses niya. Up to now, kapag naalala ko yung mga kanya niya, may goosebumps talaga. (I watched it with my dad and my siblings. It was a really different experience. My memory of that concert is still vivid. Of course, there's Michael Jackson. I remember him singing and his high voice. Up to now, when I remember his songs, I really get goosebumps.)"

"It was sad when he passed away. We all love his music. Ang naging effect ng death niya ay parang kay Lady Diana. He died at a very young age, and he was gone too soon. Sayang kasi ay may mai-ko-contribute pa siya sa industry. (The effect of his death was like Lady Diana's. He died at a very young age, and he was gone too soon. He could have made a greater contribution to the industry)," Eric said.

Arnel expressed that he enjoyed making the movie and found it to be without any challenges.

"Hirap na hirap akong gumanap ng bakla rito. Yun naman kasi ang tunay kong pagkatao. Baka mas mahirapan pa ako kung sabihin mo na nagtatago. Kaso hindi ko na man maitatago yun dahil nag-asawa naman ako. Natutuwa ako sa movie na ito kasi hindi ko na kailangan pang i-arte ito dahil ito naman ang personalidad ko. (It's really hard for me to play a gay man here. That's my true personality. Maybe it would be even harder if you said I was hiding it. But I can't hide it anymore because I'm married. I'm happy with this movie because I don't have to act in it anymore because this is my personality)," Arnell added.

Asked about intimate scenes in the film, Direk Joel answered, "Wala itong love scene. (There is no love scene.) This is intended for the family - parental guidance is recommended."

"Jackstone 5" will be shown in cinemas nationwide beginning Dec. 3.