MEET the JACKSTONE 5: Seasoned actors give life to tales of love, friendship, and second chances
Written by Eric Ramos and starring Eric Quizon, Jim Pebanco, Gardo Versoza, Arnell Ignacio, and Joel Lamangan, Jackstone 5 is a heartwarming and moving story about friendship, identity, and second chances. The film marks a historic moment as Joel Lamangan takes on the role of both actor and director for the very first time.
For decades, Filipino cinema has explored LGBTQ+ themes, often highlighting love stories and struggles for acceptance. However, few films have truly delved into the depth of friendship and family among gay men—until now. Jackstone 5, produced by Royal Star Media Productions, brings a fresh perspective on brotherhood, love, and redemption, telling a story about five childhood friends whose bond has stood the test of time.
A Reunion Decades in the Making
Friendship, nostalgia, and long-kept secrets will be the premise in Jackstone 5, a film about five childhood friends who reunite after decades apart. What begins as a lighthearted trip down memory lane turns into a journey of self-discovery, love, and redemption.
Their story traces back to 1976, when the legendary Jackson 5 visited the Philippines for a concert. As teenagers, these five inseparable friends idolized Michael Jackson and his brothers, even embarking on a six-hour walk from Barangay Caplog to Pagsanjan just to see them. They never did, but from that moment, they called themselves the Jackstone 5—a name that would bind them together through the years.
Long before they gave themselves that name, though, they were simply a group of young gay teens who found joy in playing jackstones together. In a time when being different was even harder, their friendship became their safe haven.
Now, decades later, they gather for a long-overdue reunion, starting with breakfast at a fine dining restaurant in Nuvali, owned by one of their own, Bruno. As they reminisce about their youth, the struggles of being gay in a conservative society, and the separate paths they took, they also confront painful truths—about love, loss, and the choices they made.
As the Jackstone 5 return to their hometown of Kalayaan, visiting their old high school and confronting ghosts of the past, they must decide: Can they truly go back, or have they changed too much to fit into the lives they once knew?
Meet the Jackstone 5
Felix “Felicity” (Eric Quizon) – The Drama Queen with a Heart
A natural-born performer and the most expressive of the group, Felix, or Felicity, has always been the dramatic soul of Jackstone 5. But behind his flamboyant personality is a painful past—his own father’s rejection of his sexuality pushed him to leave home and build a life abroad.
After a short stint in Manila, Felix became a nurse in Singapore, where he finally found acceptance and love. He later rose to the rank of head nurse in Doha, Qatar, a prestigious position that secured his financial future. Now retired, Felix is at a crossroads: Should he return to the Philippines and reunite with his friends, or continue the independent life he built abroad?
Beneath his confidence lies an old wound he never fully healed—and a secret he’s kept for years. Will the reunion force him to confront the past he thought he had left behind?
Bruno (Arnell Ignacio) – The Life of the Party with a Hidden Burden
Known by his many nicknames—Bruna, Bruja, Bruhilda, and finally just Hilda—Bruno is the heart and humor of the Jackstone 5. His journey took him across the globe, working as a sous-chef in Sydney, Barcelona, and Abu Dhabi before retiring and putting up his own successful restaurant in Nuvali.
Bruno has always been the most generous, jolliest, and flirtiest of the group, but behind his laughter lies a burden. He is hiding a secret—one that, if revealed, could threaten the friendships he holds dear. As the reunion unfolds, Bruno must decide whether to keep up the act or finally tell the truth.
Remy (Jim Pebanco) – The Moral Center and the One Who Gave Everything
If the Jackstone 5 had a conscience, it would be Remy. A kind and selfless man, he was once an Araling Panlipunan teacher before leaving to work as a domestic helper in Hong Kong, sacrificing his own dreams to help others. He remains the poorest among them, yet he has sent countless children to school, ensuring a better future for them.
But the reunion forces him to face his greatest heartbreak: Pido, his ex-lover of three decades. They parted ways seven years ago, but now Pido wants another chance. Remy has spent years healing, convincing himself that love was not meant for him. But what if Pido has changed? Could there still be hope for them?
Naldo (Joel Lamangan) – The Strongest, Yet Most Afraid
In high school, Naldo was the protector of the Jackstone 5—the one who stood up against bullies, the strongest among them. But he was also the most repressed.
Unlike his friends, Naldo never left the Philippines. He built a life as a chief training officer at a security agency, marrying a woman and living in the closet for 36 years. His marriage was loveless, but he convinced himself it was the right thing to do. Now, six months after his wife’s passing, Naldo is finally free—but freedom is terrifying.
He has a secret boyfriend—one of his own security guards—but he still hesitates to come out. However, a chance encounter in Pagsanjan forces him to confront his fears. Is it finally time for him to embrace his truth?
Pido (Gardo Versoza) – The Rebel Who Wants Redemption
Pido has always been the wild card of the Jackstone 5. The only one who never finished college, he struggled in school but excelled in life’s tougher lessons. Though Remy sent him to study Merchant Marine, he dropped out, taking on odd jobs as a stuntman, cowboy, and eventually a construction worker in Saudi Arabia.
While abroad, Pido became a notorious hustler, navigating a world of secrecy and danger. But now, after seven years apart, he wants something real. He wants Remy back.
The question is—can Remy trust him again? Or has Pido burned too many bridges to go home?
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A Story of Love, Friendship, and Second Chances
At its core, Jackstone 5 is a powerful exploration of friendship, identity, and redemption. It asks important questions:
• Can we ever truly escape our past?
• Is it too late to come out and live authentically?
• Does love still have a place in the lives of those who have been hurt before?
As the Jackstone 5 laugh, cry, and relive their youth, they realize that while life may have changed them, one thing remains constant—their brotherhood. And in the end, perhaps that is all that truly matters.
When asked if there are love scenes to watch out for, Direk Joel Lamangan reassured, “Walang love scenes dito. This is for the family. This is a wholesome movie.”
