Under siege, Marawi has been placed under Martial Law. In light of the recent turn of events, it becomes more imperative for us to educate ourselves on terrorism in Mindanao, the situation of our Muslim brothers and what our soldiers go through in times of conflict.

“Ang Araw Sa Likod Mo” is a cinematic step toward understanding the plight of our Muslim brothers in the South and of special operations soldiers, also known as Philippine Scout Rangers. Dominic Nuesa’s full-length directorial debut is an advocacy film that tells the story of how a troop of Scout Rangers exhausts all efforts to save two brothers from certain death in the hands of terrorists.

In 2013, Nuesa directed a corporate video for HERO Foundation, an NGO that provides scholarships to the children of soldiers who have been killed and incapacitated in the line of duty. This was when he started playing with the idea of creating a full-length film.

“The inspiration for the project is to raise awareness about the sacrifices and heroism of our soldiers and to raise awareness for the HERO Foundation. The inspiration for the script is really the Scout Rangers, my fascination with Islam, how one gets radicalized and how one gets involved in terrorism,” Nuesa said.

Nuesa’s fascination with Islam was fueled by the privilege of meeting Muslims and their culture through research and consultations.

“And of course, ‘cause there’s this conflict going on in our country, I needed to understand—I wanted to understand better what that conflict is all about. So I delved into Islam. Researching about Islam, the best thing that I got from it … I guess, I was able to find at its center—the soul—which is God, really,” he muses.

No easy task
Learning about Islam and the Scout Rangers was no easy task for Nuesa. It took him six months of continuous research. For the Muslim side, he spoke to some evacuees, an Imam and a professor of Islamic history just so he could learn about being Taosug, Ukan, Moro or being a freedom fighter as well as what it means to be a Muslim in Manila or what it feels to be a Muslim in Basilan.

On the other hand, the cast attended a two-day boot camp under Sgt. Joseph Soriano, where they learned everything about being a Scout Ranger. Sgt. Soriano was present throughout filming as a consultant.

“I don’t think I would be able to answer questions about the war in Mindanao satisfactorily; but, at least, it gives me some knowledge and background to develop the Scout Rangers’ side and the Muslims’ side.

“There’s just a lot of things to learn about Islam, a lot of things to learn about the Scout Rangers,” Nuesa adds.

Ping Medina leads the cast as Sgt. Benjie Calayan, who leads the troop of Scout Rangers in their mission to save the two brothers. Bong Cabrera plays Jamiluddin, a former jihadi who has become an informant of the Scout Rangers and who has decided to start a new life with his family when he learns that his brother, Omar (Mike Liwag), has gone to the jungle to supposedly follow his footsteps and join the holy war.

Both Cabrera and Liwag took extra time and effort to master their roles as Muslim brothers. Cabrera shared the pains he took to make his portrayal convincing. “I play [the role of] a Muslim so I don’t want it na culturally incorrect siya.”

Two-day boot camp

Ian Cabrera, who plays Sgt. Banaag, one of the soldiers in Sgt. Calayan’s troop, made sure he learned everything he could learn about Scout Rangers from the two-day boot camp.

“Ang Araw Sa Likod Mo” has garnered recognition internationally. It won Best Film and Best Director in the Auckland International Film Festival, as well as Official Winner at the Around Films International Film Festival. The Accolade Global Film Competition bestowed Bong Cabrera and Mike Liwag with awards of recognition.

“With the ongoing conflict in Mindanao, the major thing that I’ve learned is that, in any conflict, no one wins. Everybody sacrifices; but in the end, everybody loses something,” said Cabrera.

Liwag shares, “Ako, I learned that, tama yung tag line namin eh, yung ‘Bawat paninindigan, may kapalit.’ Kasi kahit anong klaseng tao ka, mapa-Muslim o Scout Ranger ka o ano pa man, pag may ginawa ka, may consequences yun, good or bad.”

“Hopefully, we’re gonna stop ignoring our brothers in the south and we’re gonna give more ‘cause that’s the only way we’re gonna stop the war—if we’re gonna give them education, all the basic needs and more. That’s the only way we’re gonna stop war. For now, this is just the band-aid solution,” Liwag added.

Medina’s insight is something he draws from his own personal experience.

“I think this is important for us living in the north of the Philippines, especially if you grew up in Manila. We’re very displaced about the whole thing. We know about it. We read about it in newspapers and stuff.; but we’ve never been there so we don’t really know what’s happening. This is a good venue, a good film, about what’s really happening. It’s not black and white. It’s not war propaganda. It’s not jihadist propaganda. It tries to balance itself, all around. This is a good way to gain insight about the whole Mindanao conflict.”

Produced by Nuesa’s An Earth Below Productions, “Ang Araw Sa Likod Mo” is graded A by the Cinema Evaluation Board. “Ang Araw Sa Likod Mo” is now showing in cinemas.