MARIBOJOC.- A movie set in the 1900s starring Philippine and Hollywood actors will be filmed in this town beginning February 3, 2010. The Aton Production Company, co-headed by Joel Torre and Mario Ontal, will make the location shoot in this scenic municipality. The film entitled "Baryo," to be directed by John Sayles revolves on the relations of Filipino folks and American troops occupying a Luzon village where Katipunan guerillas are operating between 1900 and 1901. Now in pre-production in a barangay in Maribojoc, the film stars Joel Torre, Rio Locsin, Chris Cooper, Garrett Dillahunt and others. John Sayles, who wrote and directed such acclaimed films as "Lone Star" (for which he earned Oscar and Golden Globe Best Screenplay nods), "Eight Men Out," "Matewan," "The Secret of Roan Inish," "Return of the Seacaucus Seven" and "Passion Fish," is directing "Baryo" from his own script inspired by his unpublished novel, "Some Time in the Sun." The period film is set in the Philippine-American War in 1898, which Sayles views as a precursor of the US military venture in Vietnam .

Maribojoc Mayor Leoncio Evasco Jr., in a recent meeting with the production team headed by producer Maggie Renzi, welcomed the film project and encouraged residents here to take the opportunity to be part of the international film. He expressed support for the project's use of local resources, talents, set construction workers, product and service providers. Renzi disclosed that the film will be shown in the Sundance and Toronto Film Festivals. She expressed hope that the movie will help promote Maribojoc and Bohol province's natural destinations and people globally as the film will be marketed worldwide. Sayles has been known as the Father of Independent Filmmaking in the United States . The "Baryo" film project intends to help "uplift independent filmmaking in the country", as well as in southeast Asia, according to Rolly Palmes, production manager. The joint Filipino-American production is currently constructing a Spanish-era "stone church" made of wood and styro-foam and some 14 huts made of bamboo, coco lumber and nipa, as part of a Philippine village set in the years right after the Hispanic era in the country. While most of the film sequences will be shot in Maribojoc, the production will also shoot some scenes in the Clarin Ancestral House in Loay, the Basdacu cave in Loon, the San Agustin Church sacristy in Panglao, and the SAVIMA mangrove in Maribojoc, said Cooper Resabal, production coordinator.

The production now needs, at least, 31 villagers to act as extras in the film, and, at least 4 teenaged boys and girls, and a boy of 10-13 for speaking roles, at least 4 Chinese- looking men, 10 guerrilla-looking men, a 4-5 person band or rondalla players to be used in a fiesta and funeral scene, the same source added. (See related story on casting needs). For the film's pre-production, so far, more than 20 people around the site have been mobilized for construction, product and service supply, etc., and more than 15 ricefield and land owners have received the first installment of compensation and rent for land, plants and houses to be used in the film, Resabal added. Many of the materials used for the set have been sourced locally, like bamboos, nipa, etc., while some skilled workers have been brought in to help produce sets of the film setting's era, as specified by the art department. There are now 24 skilled carpenters and artists from other parts of the country (mostly Luzon ) involved in the production, it was further disclosed. Meanwhile, young actors and actresses are needed for an international movie titled "Baryo" to be filmed mainly in Maribojoc and other parts of Bohol , the Aton Production Company announced.

The movie entitled "Baryo," will directed by John Sayles. It revolves on the relations of Filipino folks and American troops occupying a Luzon village where Katipunan guerillas are operating between 1900 and 1901. Now in pre-production in a barangay in Maribojoc, the film stars Joel Torre, Rio Locsin, Chris Cooper, Garrett Dillahunt and others. Aton Production needs the following for speaking parts in Tagalog: a teenaged girl, 15-16 , who is physically strong, pretty, but unsure of herself; a teenaged boy, 14-16 years old, a bit sheltered, idealistic, and intelligent; another teenaged boy, 14-16, very restive, ready for action; and a boy, 10-13, energetic, curious, and likes to climb trees. The young talents have to speak Tagalog, or at least could be coached to speak the language, thin, brown to dark brown, a bit short, and must have a bit of experience in acting, or in cultural performances, and must be able to understand instructions in English. The women have to have long natural hair. They must be available between Feb. 2- March 15, 2010 for work in the film.

The production has started to make calls for the following extras in Maribojoc: 31 village folks, 4 men, aged 50+, 10 adult women of all ages, 4 women teenagers, 4 men teenagers, under 14 years old, 5 little boys, 5 little girls Also needed are 6 thin Chinese-looking men, 18-30 years old, 10 guerrilla-looking men, 15-30 years old, 6 vendors, 2 guardia-civil looking men, early 20s, and a 4-5 person band (rondalla, brass band players, etc. who will play in a fiesta and funeral scenes. The talents have to be thin, brown to dark brown, and a bit short. The women have to have long, natural hair. They must be able to understand instructions and available to work between Feb. 2- March 15, 2010. Submit photo (2 x 2), on bond paper with name, age, weight, height, and contact phone and address on or before Jan. 4, 2010 to Toril barangay hall (Betty or Nino), or send to email: procores@yahoo.com. or attend audition at Toril barangay hall, on January 5, 2010 at 4 p.m. or at Busao barangay hall January 6, 2010 at 4 p.m. or contact Betty Moncano, tel. 09203571113.