Mananabas

Title: Mananabas (lit.: Reaper)

Genre: Action | Horror | Thriller

Runtime: 1h 47m

Released: 16 October 2001

Country of Origin: Philippines 

Language: Filipino

Director: Cesar Montano

Writer: Vic Dabao (story concept) • Senen Dimaguila (story & screenplay) • Cesar Montano (story & screenplay)

Production Company: Maverick Films • Viva Films

Synopsis: In the vast and turbulent region of Mindanao, where the echoes of conflict reverberate through dense jungles and rugged mountains, a remarkable story is unfolding. At the center of this story is the enigmatic figure of Lieutenant Miguel Marasigan, a brave soldier whose fate took an unexpected turn and catapulted him into the realm of legend.

Amid the chaos and uncertainty of war, Lieutenant Marasigan found himself at the head of an extraordinary self-defense group called Mananabas, a name that inspired both fear and anxiety among the local population. These fearsome warriors were said to have supernatural abilities and were endowed with superhuman speed and strength when they consumed a mysterious elixir, a special type of oil that gave them unprecedented feats of heroism.

However, the road to her rise was paved with tragedy. Lieutenant Marasigan and his loyal comrades were betrayed by their own brothers and their lives were cruelly destroyed in a merciless act of betrayal. However, fate seemed to have other plans for these fallen heroes. Three long years after their untimely death, they emerged from the shadows and were reborn under the name of the legendary Mananabas.

Her transformation was nothing short of miraculous. Clothed in the darkness of night, they descended on the soldiers' camps with a vengeance, their bolo blades glinting menacingly in the moonlight. Each attack was a testament to the pain and suffering they had endured, a loud cry for justice in the face of unspeakable atrocities. The soldiers who had once tormented them now became the targets of their wrath, as the Mananabas sought to avenge the violent attacks that had scarred their souls.

With each strike of the blade, the Mananabas wrote their name in the annals of history, and their exploits were whispered in hushed tones by those who dared to speak of them. Her legend grew day by day as stories of her extraordinary skills and unwavering determination spread like wildfire across the country. They have become a symbol of hope for the oppressed, a beacon of resistance against the forces of tyranny.

So the saga of Lieutenant Miguel Marasigan and his six brave men, the Mananabas, continues to captivate the hearts and minds of those who yearn for justice in a world plagued by darkness. Her story reminds us that even in the face of unimaginable adversity, the human spirit can rise above the limits of mortality and become something truly extraordinary.

A dark and sinister tale unfolds in the annals of history, revealing the treacherous machinations of General Tomas Roxas, whose treacherous ambition knew no bounds. Little did the unsuspecting Mananabas know that their existence was at the mercy of this power-hungry military. When the truth emerged, it became clear that General Roxas, who was pursuing a political career after his retirement, had orchestrated the merciless massacre of the Mananabas.

But amid the shadows of this nefarious conspiracy, a glimmer of hope emerged in the form of Sabrina, a courageous journalist who dedicated her life to uncovering the truth behind mysterious events. Sabrina, the goddaughter of General Roxas himself, was torn between her loyalty to her godfather and her unwavering commitment to journalistic integrity.

Meanwhile, another intrepid journalist named Teng had discovered the secret activities of the Mananabas. Through a twist of fate, the Mananabas, recognizing Teng's genuine curiosity and passion for their story, granted him unprecedented access to their hidden world. This extraordinary privilege granted to Teng enabled him to write a compelling book chronicling the secrets and mysteries surrounding the Mananabas.

Amid this turmoil, a bitter feud broke out between Miguel, a prominent member of the Mananabas, and Aragon, his former ally. The tension between them reached a boiling point and eventually led to their separation. While the Mananabas struggled with internal conflict, the truth of their existence remained shrouded in darkness, waiting to be revealed.

Driven by an insatiable thirst for knowledge, Sabrina embarks on a dangerous journey into the heart of the Mananabas Domain. Determined to uncover the truth hidden beneath the surface, she braved the unknown and risked her own safety.

TOP BILLED CAST & CREW:
ACTOR	ROLE
Cesar Montano	Lt. Miguel Marasigan
Jo Canonizado	Sabrina Wilson (as Josephine Canonizado)
Rommel Montano	Sgt. Aragon
Daniel Fernando	Col. Rolando Garcia
Spanky Manikan	Gen. Tomas Roxas
Richard Merck	Military Groom
Sammy Lagmay	Boyet
Bon Vibar	Gen. Fred Torre
Jeffrey Tam	Ting
Mandy Ochoa	Maj. Paterno
Mike Magat	Capt. Reyes
Nicole Hofer	Nelia Marasigan
Mina Bernales	Village Bride
Cris Aguilar	Dagul
Joel Afalla	Bungo (as Joel Apalla)
Jerry Lopez	Hapon
Jess Sanchez	Kulog
Jun Collao	Maj. Estacio
Sammuel Ebaristo	Pangil (as Samuel Evaristo)
Cris Vertido	Imam
R.J. Leyran	Bride's Father
Kevin Meyer	Paul Wilson
Obet Tadiaman	Obet
Onchie Dela Cruz	Soldier
Danny Labra	Soldier
Jerry Corpuz	Soldier
Jun Perez	Soldier
Bong Sabater	Soldier
Eric Vicman	Soldier (as Erick Vicman)
Drago Muñoz	Soldier
Christian Angelo Montano	Soldier (as Angelo Montano)
Jonjon Montano	Soldier
Michael Martinez	Soldier
Jem Japitana	Soldier
Noel Melody	Soldier
Randy Montano	Soldier
Rafael Montano	Soldier
Russel Montano	Soldier
Vanni Ignacio	Soldier
Jojo Japitana	Soldier
Elmer Sayson	Soldier
Dado Mitra	Soldier
Benjie Felipe	Soldier
Leonardo Esguerra	Old Man Mananabas
FILM PRODUCER DEPARTMENT:
Eric M. Cuatico	executive producer
Norma Japitana	line producer
Cesar Montano	line producer
Roger Vivero	supervising producer
CINEMATOGRAPHY DEPARTMENT:
Cinematography By:	Richard Padernal
FILM EDITOR DEPARTMENT:
Editing By:	Augusto Salvador
PRODUCTION DESIGN DEPARTMENT:
Allan Leynes
SECOND UNIT DIRECTOR OR ASSISTANT DIRECTOR:
Pepito Diaz	assistant director
SOUND DEPARTMENT:
Noel Cruz Bruan	sound supervisor (as Noel Bruan)
Stunts
Jerry Corpuz	fight director
Ramon Rivera	fight director
CAMERA & ELECTRICAL DEPARTMENT:
Melencio Dapilos	Camera Crane Operator
MUSIC DEPARTMENT:
Edwin 'Kiko' Ortega	musical director

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