July 5, 2015, writer, producer and director Paul Soriano posted on his Instagram (@paulsoriano1017) photos of him with actors Piolo Pascual and John Lloyd Cruz with the critically-acclaimed director Lav Diaz with a caption:

TEN17P is currently producing and shooting a Lav Diaz film. This film brings together 2 of the country’s biggest actors, Piolo Pascual and John Lloyd Cruz. #ComingSoon#TEN17P #EpicMedia #SineOlivia#StarCinema #NowShooting #Sorsogon#LakeBulusan #LavDiaz #Producer@ten17p @starcinema

With a working title ‘Hele sa Hiwagang Hapis’, this is definitely a rare event in Philippine cinema, a collaboration between these talented artists. Lav Diaz is a director and writer, known for Norte, hangganan ng kasaysayan (2013), Mula sa kung ano ang noon (2014) and Melancholia(2008). His films often have runtimes that exceed four hours, long, static shots and often makes his films in black and white.

Pascual and Cruz are best know for their mainstream drama movies which gave them multiple awards and fame as the best actors in the country. It will be their first time working with director Lav Diaz.

The film is co-produced and will be released through Star Cinema soon.