Behind every smile, there may be a story that no one else sees.
This idea becomes the focus in Behind the Smile, an advocacy and awareness film that tackles HIV, mental health, anxiety, depression and bullying while reminding audiences that people can be carrying deeply personal struggles even when they appear strong on the outside.
BJ Forbes, director Lawrence Roxas, and Dana Alexa Cada
The film, produced by Yellow Brick Production, GO Films, and EVTR Construction, recently held a special screening on August 4 in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, attended by students and school representatives. Also present were director and writer Lawrence Roxas and lead stars BJ Forbes and Dana Alexa Cada. They readily shared with us their experiences making a film that goes beyond entertainment and aims to open conversations among young people and communities.
Written and directed by Roxas, Behind the Smile follows three individuals whose lives intersect through circumstances that force them to confront pain, stigma and the pressure to keep going.
The story follows the journey of Elijah (Forbes), a brilliant and hardworking student living with HIV. Despite his condition, he continues to work hard to help provide for his younger sister Ella’s education while dealing with the difficulties of a broken home. His mother struggles with addiction and online gambling, while his father works tirelessly as a tricycle driver to support the family.
At school, Elijah encounters Nikki (Cada), a high-achieving student overwhelmed by the expectations placed on her by her parents. When anxiety pushes Nikki to the brink, her unexpected friendship with Elijah becomes a source of hope.
Their paths eventually cross with Mia (Jennica Garcia), a woman living with HIV whose life has been marked by a series of devastating losses. After contracting HIV following a blood transfusion, Mia’s baby also became infected and eventually died. Her husband Jeric (Ejay Falcon) later left her, unable to cope with the circumstances surrounding their loss.
Dealing with grief and depression, Mia struggles to rebuild her life. Through their connection, Elijah, Nikki and Mia discover that healing can come through compassion, therapy, treatment, faith and the willingness to reach out to another person.
Their individual journeys eventually lead them toward new purpose. Elijah graduates cum laude while Nikki graduates summa cum laude, and both decide to become social workers—turning their experiences into a commitment to help people facing struggles that may not always be visible.
For Roxas, the story was born from a desire to address the growing concern surrounding HIV, particularly in his home province.
“Ang Behind the Smile ay patungkol sa kumakalat na HIV. Dito sa atin sa Pilipinas, mayroon nang mahigit 55,000 cases. Ginawa namin ito sa Calapan City dahil hometown namin ito. Sa MIMAROPA Region 4-B, pinakamataas ang kaso sa Mindoro, at ang Calapan City naman ang may pinakamataas na bilang sa lahat ng bayan doon sa lalawigan,” the director shared.
“Na-inspire ako na gumawa ng pelikula tungkol dito dahil napapanahon ito. Magandang maipakita ito hindi lang sa mga kabataan kundi sa lahat ng tao, para maging aware sila sa mga kaso ng HIV na patuloy na dumarami. Tulad ng napanood natin kanina, napakaraming information ang ibinahagi ng ating mga doctor.”
Roxas also emphasized that the film was developed through research to ensure that its subject matter would be responsibly presented.
He continued, “Nag-research talaga ako para makahanap ng ganitong material at para mabigyan ng hustisya ang pagsusulat ko tungkol dito at maipahayag sa lahat ng tao. Ang film na ito ay advocacy at awareness film. Hindi lang HIV ang tinatalakay dito kundi pati mental health, kabilang ang anxiety at depression. Kasama rin dito ang bullying, na hanggang ngayon ay problema pa rin sa ating mga paaralan.”
Handpicked Ensemble
Rather than hold auditions, Roxas chose his cast personally, bringing together performers whom he already knew and believed were suited for the roles.
“All of them are my close friends. Hindi na ako nagpa-audition. Pinili ko talaga sila isa-isa. Tinawagan ko sila isa-isa, at fit naman sila lahat sa kanilang schedules. Kaya hindi po kami nahirapan sa paggawa ng movie na ito,” Roxas happily shared. Among the cast members are Jennica Garcia and Ejay Falcon, whom Roxas described as having different connections to his career.
“Si Jennica, first time ko siyang nakatrabaho. Mostly kasi ang nakakatrabaho ko ay yung nanay niya. Madalas kasi ang expectation ng audience, kailangan pantayan niya yung galing ng nanay niya. Pero dito sa pinakita niya, parang sumobra pa ata siya,” he shared.
“Si Ejay naman, since he is also from Oriental Mindoro, friends na kami noon pang TV days. Nakakasama ko rin siya sa mga TV series. Nag-uusap-usap lang kami na, ‘Bro, ikaw kukunin ko sa ganito.’ Okay naman siya. Madali siyang katrabaho. Although pareho silang maganda rin ang chemistry na ginawa nila,” Roxas added.
Roxas himself entered the entertainment industry as a talent in the 1990s. He related,“Yes, it was 1993. Kung hindi dahil sa mga taong naniwala sa akin noon, hindi magtutuloy-tuloy ang aking career dito sa film industry.”
His decision to cast BJ Forbes was also rooted in a long-standing appreciation of the actor’s work. Roxas said, “Paborito ko ito. Bata pa lang, pinapanood ko na siya. Actually, kinukuha ko na siya madalas sa theater. Wala lang talagang opportunity na makagawa kami ng film together.”
“Mga five years pa lang akong gumagawa ng film as a director. As a writer, late ’90s pa. Nung nakahanap ako ng project na puwedeng ako ang mag-control kung sino ang gusto kong kunin at kung sino ang gusto kong isama dito sa film, isa siya sa mga paborito kong kunin talaga.”
“Pangalawa na ito sa akin. Nag-support lang siya doon sa isang project, pero sabi ko, dahil nakita ko ang potential ni BJ, bibigyan ko siya ng mas maganda at mas lead na role,” the director proudly related.
BJ Forbes Finds a Way Back
For Forbes, being entrusted with the role of Elijah carried particular weight. The project marks an important return to acting for the former child star, who spent years away from the mainstream spotlight. The lead actor said, “Sobrang laki ng pasasalamat ko kay Direk dahil sa akin niya pinagkatiwala ang character ni Elijah. Malaking part siya sa film, kaya sobrang overwhelmed ako na sa akin nabigay ang role na iyon.”
“I tried my best na mabigyan ng justice ang character at para maka-relate din, siyempre, ang mga taong may pinagdadaanan. Gusto kong maipakita sa kanila ang katotohanan at reality na nangyayari sa mga cases of HIV.”
Forbes said the atmosphere on set made the challenging subject matter easier to portray. “Sa mismong shooting, sobrang gaan lang ng trabaho. Sabi nga namin kanina, parang classic ensemble na binuo ni Direk. Dahil handpicked niya ang mga artista at pinag-isipan niya ang pagpili ng bawat character, mas nag-gel kami at hindi kami nahirapan sa pag-eeksena ng bawat isa.”
“So, nag-enjoy talaga ako during the film.”
The trust placed in him by Roxas also came at a meaningful point in his career. He continued, “Sobrang pasasalamat ko kasi, siyempre, hindi ko rin naman ine-expect na may magtitiwala sa akin ng ganitong klaseng role. Bilang artista, alam naman natin na nagkaroon din ako ng downfall at hindi ganoon kadaling bumalik sa industry.”
“Kaya itong mga ganitong klaseng pagtitiwala at pagkakataon, napaka-thankful ko. Parang naging comeback film ko siya nang hindi ko inaasahan. Sumakto rin yung mga interviews ko ngayon at mga nangyayari sa ibang guestings ko at sa buhay ko.”
“God did it. Kaya siguro binigyan ako ni Lord ng opportunity at ipinagkatiwala sa akin ang role na ito. I’m very thankful and I’m very blessed.”
Forbes believes the film’s message is one that can stay with its audience long after the screening. “Tapos, yung pelikulang ito, hindi lang basta-bastang pelikula. It will really have an impact sa mga manonood. May istorya itong gusto talagang ihayag at may mga damdaming gustong i-touch,” he added.
“I hope the future generation will also be inspired by this film na maging mas maayos at mas smooth ang transition nila into adulthood, lalo na yung mga kabataan.”
“Masaya lang ako na nakakabalik ako sa film industry at si Direk Lawrence yung nagiging pintuan ko ulit,” he shared.
Life Outside the Limelight
Forbes also opened up about what he did during the years when he was less visible in mainstream showbiz.
“Noong tinanggap ko na hindi ako masyadong nasa showbiz, nag-theater-theater ako. Medyo hindi man on the limelight, umaarte pa rin ako kasi iyon talaga yung passion ng puso ko,” he said. “Pero sinubukan ko rin magtrabaho sa corporate world at maging simple. Pero parang hinahatak pa rin tayo pabalik ng film industry. Parang pina-experience lang sa atin yung sakit at hirap ng buhay para mas magkaroon tayo ng hugot sa mga next projects natin.”
To those who continued to remember him, Forbes expressed his gratitude.
“Sa mga naka-miss sa akin, sa mga naghahanap pa rin kay BJ, sa mga nagmamahal kahit ilang taon na ang lumipas, maraming-maraming salamat dahil nandiyan pa rin kayo,” Forbes directed to his supporters. “I will do my best, and I will carry my name with pride. Siyempre, gagamitin ko ito sa tama.”
His return also comes with a familiar challenge for many former child stars — being seen as the person they once were rather than the adult they have become.
Forbes shared, “Yes, mahirap po. Kasi hanggang ngayon, may mga tao na kapag nakita ako, sinasabi nila, ‘Ang laki mo na pala,’ pero hindi pa rin sila maka-get over at iniisip pa rin nila na bata pa rin ako.”
“Hindi rin naging sobrang tuloy-tuloy yung growth, hindi lang sa career kundi pati sa financial side. Kaya siyempre, kasama sa judgment ng mga tao iyon—‘Bakit ganun yung nangyari sa’yo? Bakit ganyan?,'” he continued.
“But I’m happy naman, and I’m showing the public na hindi naman natin kailangang i-meet lagi yung expectations ng ibang tao para maging happy.”
“We can be happy on our own. May kanya-kanya tayong timeline.”
“Kung meron mang mga nakaungos sa career natin, I’m happy for them. Hindi tayo dapat nagkukumpara,” Forbes said with confidence.
Dana Alexa Cada’s First Film
For Dana Alexa Cada, Behind the Smile represents her first film project and one that immediately placed her in emotionally demanding territory. She shared, “Ito po yung first film ko, and it was very challenging for me, especially noong nakita ko yung script.”
“Pero with the cast na directly chosen by Direk, they made me feel very comfortable. Mas naging easier ang chemistry with the other cast members.”
“I’m just so glad na yung first time ko ay kasama sila, and it’s one of the best experiences for me. Especially because it’s something that I really resonate with.”
Cada also connected personally with the film’s mental health themes. She continued, “Mental health is also an important part of the film, not just HIV awareness. As someone who struggled with my mental health before, I’m really happy because finally, it’s going to be put into film.”
“It’s a film that will raise awareness, especially among the younger generation who are struggling with mental health, and also about the stigma surrounding HIV.”
“I love that it’s not only a film that I enjoyed doing, but it’s also an advocacy film. It’s something that will create a positive impact in the community.”
“So, I’m very thankful for this opportunity.”
Before making her film debut, Cada had already worked in commercials and pageants.
Cada proudly shared, “I am Silka Philippines 2025 reigning queen. I’ve actually been doing commercials before films. Nagko-commercials po ako before.”
“I met Direk Lawrence, actually, because he’s a family friend who is also in the industry. He saw the potential in me, and I’m already very grateful for that.”
“I’m also Miss Oriental Mindoro 2015 and Miss Mandaluyong third runner-up in 2017. So I was in the pageant industry, I was in the TV commercial industry, and now I’m doing film.”
Moving from modeling and commercials into dramatic acting proved to be a very different experience. She opened up, “Actually, this is a very surreal feeling. I still feel a little bit overwhelmed seeing myself on the big screen, especially doing something na very out of my comfort zone — crying, feeling the script, and everything.”
“Mixed emotions. But in the end, I’m very proud. I’m proud of the entire cast and the outcome of the movie, and that’s what makes me very happy,” she ended.
A Film for Schools and Communities
At the heart of Behind the Smile is the belief that films can become starting points for conversations, particularly among young people. Roxas wants audiences to think carefully about the decisions they make and understand that circumstances depicted in the film can happen in real life. He said, “Malaking impact ito sa buhay ng isang tao. Once you choose kung anong landas ang pipiliin mo, pag-isipan mo nang maraming beses.”
“Kagaya ng napanood natin, dapat mapanood talaga ito ng maraming tao. Hindi lang ng mga kabataan kundi ng lahat, para maging aware pa rin sila sa sarili nila at maintindihan na puwedeng mangyari sa kanilang buhay ang mga nangyari sa Behind the Smile.”
The title itself reflects the film’s central message. The filmmaker said, “Kasi hindi natin nakikita ang kalooban ng isang tao. Ang pinapakita lang natin ay parang tayong mga artista na lagi tayong nakangiti sa entablado. Pero hindi natin alam kung ano talaga ang nangyayari sa loob ng isang tao.”
The film’s first premiere was held at the Calapan City Convention Center. This is because of the strong connection to Roxas’ hometown and the community that inspired the story. Following the BGC special screening, Roxas said the team hopes to bring the film to more schools and reach wider audiences.
“May mga schools na invited tayo, kasama ang mga school presidents, para maipalabas ito sa lahat ng eskwelahan. Pero cinema-type din kapag walang available na auditorium,” he detailed.
At the time of the interview, Roxas said the marketing campaign was beginning again, with plans for additional screenings in BGC and a wider run in Oriental Mindoro.
Beyond the Smile
With its mix of HIV awareness, mental health advocacy, bullying and stories of personal recovery, Behind the Smile seeks to remind viewers that a person’s struggles are not always visible. The message of Behind the Smile is simple — what people show the world is not always what they carry inside.
Sometimes, the person beside you may be fighting a battle you know nothing about. It may be hidden behind a smile.
This is your friendly reminder to be kind and go the extra mile.
