Siargao Island and Manila become the venues for an exploration of love and identity in the movie “Unconditional,” starring Rhian Ramos and Allen Dizon. Director Adolf Alix Jr. takes a bold step into a new genre, examining love and acceptance in a progressive society. The film tells the story of a woman who falls in love with a transman, challenging conventional notions of relationships and identity.

Fresh narrative

“Ngayon, laging pinag-uusapan ‘yung idea ng pagiging progressive ng society,” said Director Adolf Alix Jr. at the movie launch held last November 30. “Kasi karamihan ‘yung mga pelikula ko medyo drama, so parang ngayon, gusto ko lang din sumubok ng ibang genre. So, ito naman, parang, nandoon pa rin ‘yung mga elements ng drama na gusto ko, pero ngayon, parang gusto namin i-tackle yung idea na parang kung isang tao na sinasabi niyang woke siya when she experiences love, pero ang natapat sa kanya, ang tinibok ng puso nya ay isang transman, [paano?]. Siguro ‘yun ‘yung nag-attract sa akin.”

Alix emphasized the importance of understanding the details of the transman experience. “Dapat malaman din ng audience kung ano yung psychology ng isang transman,” he stated. “At the same time, maintindihan din nila, ‘di ba, kasi nga, ngayon, parang nangyayari, mag-le-label na ganito ka. Pero [magandang mapag-usapan] kung ano talaga ang dinadaanan nila tapos ang pinakamadaling entry point mo is yung love story. Mas maiintindihan nila kung ano yung character.”

Rhian Ramos: Embracing the Unexpected in Love

Rhian Ramos, known for her versatility as an actress, welcomes the challenge of portraying a character who falls in love with a transman. “Actually, po, medyo intentional naman din na sana paiba-iba ‘yung mga nagagawa kong projects para iba-iba din ang natutunan ko from each story,” she shared. Reflecting on the premise of the film, she added, “Kung sa tunay na buhay, actually, hindi naman, I don’t think yun yung uunahin kong pag-isipan. Parang, when you fall in love, it always takes you by surprise, I think. So, I think it’s completely possible na even if I’m straight, I identify as straight, I think I’m straight, pero hindi malayo ding mangyari na, ma-in love ako sa babae o sa transman. It’s not something that we pre-plan. So, posible. “

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When questioned about her own sexual identity, Ramos responded candidly, “Siguro binabase ko lang sa track record. Track record ko so far.”

Allen Dizon: A Transformation On and Off Screen

For Allen Dizon, the role of a transman presented a unique opportunity for growth and understanding. “Noong unang inoffer sa ‘kin ni Direk Adolf, hindi ko alam kung ano ‘yung transman talaga,” he admitted. “Kasi alam ko lang, may lesbian. Magkaiba yun e. So, noong nag-usap ko si Nil  (Nodala, a transman), noong nakilala ko siya, sabi ko, walang pinagkaiba sa ‘kin. Sinabi niya na bata pa lang siya alam niyang lalaki siya.”

Dizon immersed himself in understanding the transman experience, guided by Nil Nodala, president of Transman Philippines. “So, feel ko, hindi ako mahihirapan,” Dizon shared. “Siguro ‘yung ano lang, kung paano yung mga drama scenes, kung paano umiyak ang babae, siyempre lumalabas pa rin sigurado yun.”

He acknowledged the director’s vision in shaping his portrayal. “Na kay Direk na ‘yun kung paano ang atake bilang transman.”

Dizon’s conversations with Nodala led him to a deeper understanding of gender identity. “Nagulat ako kasi yung imposible pala magiging posible,” he said. “Parang hindi mo maiisip dati. Kasi hindi naman tayo open sa mga ganito. Lumaki tayo may lalaki, babae, bakla, lesbian.  Pero’ yung transman, ngayon na lang pinag-uusapan ‘yan.”

Dizon added, “Natuwa ako. Siya ‘yung president ng Transman Philippines. Marami na. Hindi lang napag-uusapan. Kahit anong [preference] ng tao, pare-pareho lang ‘yan.”

A Creative Partnership

Both Ramos and Dizon express enthusiasm about their onscreen collaboration.

“Siyempre proud ako kasama ko si Rhian sa film,” said Dizon. “Nabreak na namin ang ice kasi may guesting kami sa GMA. Hindi rin namin inexpect na magkakaguesting kami sa Lilet Matias.  Magkapatid kami sa Lilet Matias!” Lilet Matias: Attorney-at-Law is a Philippine television legal drama series broadcast by GMA Network. 

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Ramos echoed Dizon’s sentiments. “Well, I’m very, very excited. Yes, nagkatrabaho na kami sa Lilet Matias. But, I’m really much more excited for the whole experience of this movie,” she shared. “Number one, mas matagal kaming magsasama. And somehow, parang feeling ko, discovery workshop talaga ‘yung movie na ito, kasi malayo kami sa Manila when we’re going to shoot this. So, feeling ko, magkakaroon kami ng sariling mundo. Mae-explore talaga namin yung karakter namin. And of course, he’s a multi-award -winning actor. So, I also think that I’m going to learn so much from this experience.”

Authenticity

Alix, Jr. emphasized the need for genuine portrayal. “Siyempre, una sa lahat nung naisip namin ang concept, sabi ko nga, kailangan namin  ‘yung psychology ng isang transman.”

The director tevealed that the film will provide an honest and upfront look at the transman experience. “Siguro, ang importante lang for this film, kasi hindi siya twist,” he explained. “Siguro, yung earlier part natin, ‘80s and ‘90s, ginagawang twist. Revelation. Itong pelikula from the very start, alam ng audience na yung character ni Allen ay isang transman.”

The film will go deep into the journey of Allen’s character, including his physical transition. “‘Yun ang itatackle. Kung unconditional ang love, paano kung ang babae ay ma-in love sa transman?”

Latest Update: Siargao Sets the Scene

Rhian Ramos recently offered a sneak peek into the making of “Unconditional.” The photos shared by GMA News Online featured Rhian with Allen Dizon and director Adolf Alix Jr. in Siargao. The island’s beauty serves as a fitting backdrop for this film that promises to explore love and acceptance in all its forms.

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