The cancellation of the documentary “Lost Sabungeros” by GMA Public Affairs and GMA Pictures did not sit well with one of its producers.
For GMA Public Affairs senior assistant vice president Lee Joseph Marquez Castel, the cancellation was a victory to those who want to incite “fear”.
In his Facebook post, Castel wrote: “Lahat ng banta, dapat sineseryoso. Pero ang hindi pagtuloy sa screening ng ‘Lost Sabungeros’ sa Cinemalaya ay pagkapanalo ng inihahasik na takot.”
“Halos dalawang taon naming binuo ang docu-film na ito at tinanggap na bahagi nito ang panganib. Ngunit sinuong ng produksyon ang peligro, para siyasatin ang pagkawala ng mahigit tatlumpung mga sabungero,” he further said.
For Castel, sudden disappearances are not welcome news “dahil bilang mga mamamahayag, at kahit bilang mga ordinaryong tao, hindi natin dapat tinatanggap na bigla na lang may mga misteryosong naglalaho.
“Ipikit mo lang ang iyong mga mata at isipin mong sa susunod na tilaok ng manok hindi mo na makikita ang mahal o pamilya mo, anong mararamdaman mo?” Castel said.
“Lost Sabungeros” was supposed to be shown on August 8 to 9 at Ayala Malls Manila Bay before it’s untimely cancellation. On its place,
“Balota,” another GMA Pictures movie, will replace its August 8 slot. As for the August 9 slot, nothing has been finalized yet.
“Sa hindi pagtuloy ng ‘Lost Sabungeros’ sa Cinemalaya, sino nga ba ang tunay na pinrotektahan mula sa mga banta? Sino nga ba ang totoong nailigtas sa anumang isisiwalat ng dokyu?” Castel asked.
In parting, Castel stressed that Cinemalaya as a festival is no longer independent and free.
“Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival. Hindi na malaya. Hindi na rin independent. Sa sabong ng mga makapangyarihan, biktima pa rin ang mga walang boses na patuloy na nanghihingi ng katarungan,” Castel noted.
Meanwhile, Nessa Valdellon, executive vice president of GMA Pictures, called the movie’ cancellation as “heartbreaking.”
In her Facebook post, she wrote: “‘LOST SABUNGEROS’ will no longer have its world premiere at Cinemalaya. Due to security concerns and upon decision of the Cinemalaya Board. It’s heartbreaking.”
Valdellon posted “Lost Sabungeros” official trailer on her Facebook account with this caption: “You can start at 1:24 (timestamp) to understand why this can be considered controversial.”
The screening of “Lost Sabungeros” was cancelled “due to security concerns” as announced by Cinemalaya on Sunday.
“Our paramount concern is the safety and well-being of our audience, staff, and all involved,” the festival said.
Directed by Bryan Brazil, “Lost Sabungeros” is a documentary about the unexplained and unresolved disappearances of over 30 sabungeros who were abducted since 2021. (NIGEL CHAVEZ DE ESTRADA)
