FILM director Jose “JR” Olinares (Buy Bust Queen, Badge of Honor) bravely started an inspirational film project two years ago, based on true-to-life stories.

Direk JR admitted since ‘Layas’ is produced by an independent film outfit, getting the artists who will act in the film became a real challenge.

He enlisted four actors – Joem Bascon, Nadine Samonte, Alex Medina and Michelle Vito – to play the leads in Layas, joined by a social media influencer Namy Ulengka, who is making her acting debut.

“In the lock-in two years ago, it was hard for us to get talents,” the director recalled. “Even some of the crew, I gave them cameo roles. My executive producers also played minor roles. They acted very well.

“We started Layas in late 2022. I am very thankful to the stars who committed their services for Layas. I’m thankful for Nadine, Alex, Joem, Michelle, even Dindo (Arroyo). We shot and finished this film in only ten days.”

The film is a heart-rending story of five homeless children who went through many hardships and trials in life, until they achieve the success they all dreamed of.

Layas is actually an acronym for the names of the characters – Lovely (Kristine Buenio/Michelle Vito), Atoy (RG Guinolbay/Joem Bascon), Yvana (Alodia Buenio/Namy Olenka), Aldrin (James Estrella/Alex Medina) and Sabina (Gwynn Villamor/Nadine Samonte).

Direk JR initially planned the release for ‘Layas’ as a drama series in the online platform. However, when they were doing post-production and editing the film, they found it hard to weave the story and put together the episodes for an online release .

“That took us a long time,” Direk JR shared. “It was also hard for us to go alongside releases with big budget. Layas only had a small budget, but we had a quality story. My executive producers simply put their trust in me.”

“We all faced the reality in the pandemic,” Direk JR added. “Swab test every time we started shooting. Although that was the fourth wave in the pandemic, we still adhered to the anti-gen requirement. Even if our budget was limited, we still worked in a bubble.

Direk JR offered that ‘Layas’ is based on true events. “I was born in Leyte,” he said. “In our place, before you reach your school, you have to cross two rivers. If it’s raining hard, you might be swamped offshore.

“We might be using AI (artificial intelligence) technology already, but in some remote areas in the Philippines, somewhere in Leyte and Surigao, there are still children who are deprived of their education.”

Thankfully, the DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development) supported Layas, especially in the “adoption” process of the kids.

“We asked for help from the DSWD on the proper channel of adoption,” Direk JR said. “We also have a legitimate foundation partner, accredited with the DSWD, who allowed us to shoot in their area where they also help a lot of children.

“We also approached the DepEd (Department of Education) to share with them the stories of the kids. There are a number of groups, those who are even making documentaries, who extend their help to the children in the remote provinces. They will see the story on the big screen in Layas.”

The film merited an R-13 rating from the MTRCB (Movie and Television Review and Classification Board) because it also dramatizes child labor issues and prostitution.

“The issues are serious in Layas, that’s why we were given an R-13 rating,” explained Direk JR.

After its theatrical release, Layas will also be streamed online and will be brought to the US for a confirmed screening tour in San Francisco and Los Angeles (California), Las Vegas (Nevada), Portland (Oregon) and Seattle (Washington), according to executive producer Tricia Bancod.

Others in the cast are Dianne Medina, Ping Medina, Dindo Arroyo, Pamela Ortiz, Poppo Lontoc, with the special participation of executive producer Norida Nakamura as the feisty pimp for the young girls.

Written by Jocelyn Raytone, Layas has Norida Nakamura, Tricia Bancod and Mary Ann Villamor as executive producers, with Pinoyflix Films as line producer.

Layas started its nationwide theatrical screening last March 13.