Ely Buendia debuts as director and actor in Bicolano film 'Padamlagan'

Iconic frontman Ely Buendia makes his directorial and acting debut in "Padamlagan," an all-Bicolano film set in his native Bicol.

The film, a co-production of Giya Studios and 901 Studios, revisits the 1972 Colgante Bridge tragedy in Naga, which occurred days before the declaration of Martial Law.

The movie follows Doring (Buendia), a father desperately searching for his son Ivan after the bridge collapsed during the Peñafrancia festival's fluvial procession.

Director Jenn Romano was inspired to make the film after discovering the tragedy during her archival research for her thesis at UP, noting the subsequent media blackout.

Romano stated that a primary objective of the film is to commemorate the tragedy and highlight regional history, which is often overshadowed by national narratives.

Buendia described his role as "very emotional" and drew upon his own experiences as a father to portray the character's profound sorrow and struggle.