From Mga Mister ni Rosario (2018) to Maria Azama: Da Best P*rn Star (2025), writer and director Alpha Habon is aligned more with the comedy genre, but his first Cinemalaya film, Kaka Sa Yawan (Brothers by the River) is the exact opposite of what he’s usually known for, which is drama.
“Medyo na-train ako sa comedy, this is a departure from what I usually do, but at the same time, this is personal for me, the story,” director Alpha Habon shares.
“Well in a way, it’s a story about friendship. It’s a kwento about the indigenous people of the Tadyawan-Mangyan, but also at its very core, it’s a story of friendship and ‘yung mga grief brought about the loss of friendship. I’m sure a lot of people can relate to that. And I lifted some scenes from my personal life as well,” director Alpha continues as he describe his Cinemalaya film.
The film is about Niko (Beaver Magtalas), a 21-year-old young man from Manila, returns to Mindoro, the island that once broke him. This unravels the memory of a pivotal summer from his youth: his friendship with Ayan (Benedix Ramos), a playful Mangyan boy with big dreams. Their eventual friendship helps Niko see the world differently. In time, they make a pact to be inseparable and fulfill their dreams together. Now, in the present, a jaded Niko is back to keep his word. Torn between land and sea, memory and reality, he confronts a forgotten past: an estranged identity, a fractured childhood, and a promise left unfulfilled. He eventually learns to rise above the currents of his grief, and carry forward the spirit of a bond that once saved him. The film celebrates the richness of Mangyan-Tadyawan traditions, intergenerational healing, and how the poignant memory of a friend can bring forth healing and the courage to rewrite one’s future.
Since the film is about the Tagyawan-Mangyan, does the film include actors from the indigenous group?
“Yes, one of the leads actually, ‘yung kasama ni Nicolo (Mercader), ‘yung best friend niya, is from that community as well. We made sure na even ‘yungincidental characters, kinuha namin sa community. And it’s in a purely volunteer basis. Kung sino lang ang may gusto, ‘yun ang kina-cast namin”
How was it working with Bryce Nicolo Mercader, since it’s his first time acting in a full-length film?
“Naku, si Nicolo, silent killer ‘to. Mukhang tahimik lang pero kapag um-acting, talagang sobrang tindi niyan. Hindi siya baguhan sa acting. He’s been in commercials, he’s been in a lot of programs, so when it’s on, it’s on para sa kanya. Tsaka ‘yung pinakamahalaga kasi sa amin is ‘yung rapport ng best friends, since it’s a friendship story. Sobrang naging mag-best friends sila nung Tagyawan-Mangyan na cast.”
How was the casting process go?
“Some of them went through the process of Cinemalaya audition. So, if nakwento ni Beaver, pang-500 something siya, si Nicolo din, dumaan sa casting. ‘Yung sa iba naman, we casted them with the casting director, kung sino ang pinaka-fit sa role. Then the rest, ‘yung mga roles sa community, dun namin kinuha sa kanila.”
What did director Alpha see in Nicolo to cast him as the lead in his first Cinemalaya film?
“Bibo siya, bibong bata. Of course, working with kids, having directed kids, talagang ang pinakaimportante sa amin is ‘yung focus, ‘yung nakikinig, and that’s Nicolo for me.”
Talk about the casting process, relatively new actors Queenay Mercado and Beaver Magtalas shared their thoughts on auditioning for Cinemalaya
“Yes, nag-audition ako. Actually, sabi ko nga, bahala na kung may kumuha sa akin dito. Basta parang suntok sa buwan talaga ’yung pago-audition ko. But then, eto nga, naging parte ako ng Kaka Sa Yawan, so talagang answered prayer ito para sa akin,” Queenay shares.
Being two sought-after young artists from their home networks, what made them audition for Cinemalaya?
“Siyempre ako, sobrang nagbabakasakali talaga ako. Kasi, mai–share ko lang, ‘yung kapatid ko, nagdi-direk din siya before ng mga ganito like sa Cinemalaya. So, sabi ko sana soon, mapabilang ako ng mga pelikula for Cinemalaya and sobrang importante siyempre bilang isang artist, malaking bahagi kung mapapabilang ka sa isa sa mga Cinemalaya entries. So, sobrang grateful talaga ako,” Queenay answers.
“Same, parang suntok sa buwan siya talaga. Kasi for me, I’ve always been looking for a way for me to act again, because I’ve been training for the past year (for Ppop), hindi talaga ako makasingit ng project, hindi ako pinapayagan ng management. Pero nung nalaman nilang natanggap ako for Cinemalaya, kasi it’s Cinemalaya, pangarap ko siya bata pa lang ako, nung bagong bago pa lang akong actor. So, nung they’ve found out, saka pa lang nila ako pinagbigyan, on the condition that I can only go on Saturday and Sunday. So, every Friday, babyahe ako papuntang Mindoro, and on Sunday nights, babyahe na ako pabalik ng Manila. Kaya very thankful pa din ako na pinayagan ng management,” Beaver shares.
What would be the audience’s take away after watching Kaka Sa Yawan?
“Para sa akin, ang biggest take away from our film would be the story of friendship talaga,which is the main message of the movie. Para sa dalawang batang magkaibigan. Sabi ko nga sa interview namin sa Cinemalaya, sa buhay mo, as you get older, may mga taong magse-stay talaga no matter what. Kahit anong mangyari sa inyong dalawa, there will be that someone na tatanda kayong magkasama,” Nikki Valdez answers.
“I would say na not running away from our regrets and fears. Sometimes kasi when we do that, it gets worse. So, we need to face it talaga. Despite how scary it is, our problems are, minsan lalong lumalala kapag tinatakbuhan lang natin siya. I guess, living with no regrets, ‘yun ang take away from my character,” Beaver adds.
Kaka Sa Yawan stars Beaver Magtalas, Bryce Nicolo Mercader, Dennis Dato, Noelle Polack, Nikki Valdez, Luis Alandy, Karl Medina, Queenay Mercado, Deanne Bautista, Benedix Ramos, directed by Alpha Habon.
You can watch Kaka Sa Yawan from August 6 – 18 at the Red Carpet Cinemas at Shangri-la Plaza, Gateway Cineplex 18 at Gateway Mall 2 and at Ayala Malls Cinemas Circuit Makati, Glorietta 4, Manila Bay, Market! Market! and TriNoma.
Watch our coverage from the media conference below: