MANILA, Philippines – With the opening of Isang Araw Lang (Just One Day, 2009), the directorial debut of veteran media man Daniel “Kuya Daniel” Razon, across Asia and the United States this August, its filmmakers hope not only to reach out to the Asian-American community who are waiting to see a simple film with a big heart, but also to inspire them to help people in need.
Now in several countries in Asia, and in North America, the filmmakers want fellow Filipinos abroad to see this independent film to inspire them to do good not only for a day, but in every way possible, everytime there is a chance.
In the film, Razon is Kuya Daniel, a cop-turned-jeepney driver who strives to make a decent living for the five orphans he adopted—and for everyone else. As the story develops, he finds himself in situations where standing by his principles could mean losing the children he loves and, even, his very own life.
Towards the end, a street kid asks the help of Kuya Daniel to rescue his friends from being sex slaves. Foiling the operation, he becomes more of a thorn in the mayor’s side, it being one of the politician’s income-generating ventures. The mayor then orders his goons to capture Kuya Daniel and kill him. Heavily-hearted from the lost of his beloved children, beaten up and with no apparent help on the way, Kuya Daniel’s conviction to his principles is put to the test. Will he finally use his knowledge and skills in the art of combat or sacrifice his life for the ideals he has learned to value so greatly?
“Isang Araw Lang” draws a lot of inspiration from the advocacy that Kuya Daniel spearheaded in the Philippines that aims to inspire change in the society through the collective involvement of people who can commit at least a day’s worth of public service, goodwill and volunteer works for the benefit of many people.
Kuya Daniel relates that his numerous charitable and humanitarian projects must continue to provide the social and welfare assistance to the poor and homeless. Through the sales of tickets that this film will generate, he says, one of his projects, the Transient Home in Manila, Philippines, will continue to provide free accommodation for the homeless, abused and exploited women and children, and victims of cruelty in the streets.
Moreover, Kuya Daniel says that he wants people to realize the essence of his Isang Araw Lang advocacy—calling on for people to do the good they can for their fellowmen—by first showing them that, as its proponent, he takes the challenge ahead of them.
When the film had its special screening to a jam-packed Meralco Theater and PICC Plenary Hall in the Philippines, bloggers and some entertainment journalists who attended the screening only have praises for the debut film of Kuya Daniel.
Emy Abuan, President of the Movie Writers’ Welfare Foundation commends the story. “This movie is really meaningful; it gives a good message that even for just one day we can do good deeds. And what is significant here is that every scene has a good moral to tell.”
Talent Manager Nene Riego was surprised after learning that Kuya Daniel is a good actor. She said that the movie was also directed well. While columnist Larry Henares Jr., host of Make My Day, quoted the film as “Wonderful.”
Kuya Daniel, a Bulakeño, is popular in the Philippines and to Filipinos abroad as a veteran broadcaster in radio and television. For the past twenty five years, his commitment to public service on- and off-camera remains unrivaled for the range of people he has helped and continue to help.
Isang Araw Lang is produced by Breakthrough and Milestones Productions International (BMPI).
