Jaehwa Bernardo

Director Raymond Red (left) and Piolo Pascual in 'Manila's Finest.'

Article (news)

'Manila's Finest' brings 1960s music to big screen

Leah C. Salterio

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1766638213432IMG_2380.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>Director Raymond Red (left) and Piolo Pascual in &#x27;Manila&#x27;s Finest.&#x27;</div>Directing a period film undoubtedly requires extensive research, not just for the story, but even for the props, the wardrobe to be used and more so, the music used as background and theme.That’s why when director Raymond Red decided to return behind the cameras after a decade, he made sure he delivered everything that is required by his latest opus.Red is at the helm of the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) entry, “Manila’s Finest,” that tackles the story of Manila Police Department officers and how many of them ideally shuttle between family and professional career.The film is Piolo Pascual’s third straight MMFF entry since he played the title role in Derick Cabrido’s horror thriller, “Mallari” (2023), followed by Michael Tuviera’s action-drama, “The Kingdom” (2024).“Manila’s Finest” apparently required research for the singers and the songs included in the soundtrack. Most of the music used was not modern and recorded in the sixties. And Red carefully selected the tracks.Produced by MQuest Ventures, Cignal and Spring Films, “Manila’s Finest” is written by Moira Lang, Michiko Yamamoto and Sherad Sanchez.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/movies-series/2025/12/23/-manila-s-finest-holds-star-studded-mmff-premiere-night-1304">READ: ‘Manila’s Finest’ holds star-studded MMFF premiere night </a></div>Diomedes Maturan crooned his version of “Dahil sa ‘Yo,” Sylvia La Torre delivered “Sa Pagpatak ng Ulan,” Bobby Gonzales performed “Di Hayop, ‘Di Tao.”Cely Bautista put her original words and music to “Sa Ulap Ko Sinulat,” Leopoldo Silos sang “Alinlangan” and carried out “Filipino Offbeat Chacha” for a party scene.Ruben Tagalog recorded “Kay Lungkot Nitong Hating-Gabi” and Reily Coloma reimagined his “Lawiswis Kawayan.”Pascual recorded the new music, “Sandalan,” in the theme, penned by Vehnee Saturno and Johnoy Danao wrote and performed “Ang Panata.”Even the names used by the characters were not modern. Pascual is Captain Homer Magtibay, Ariel Rivera is Major Conrado Belarmino, Romnick Sarmenta is Severino Meneses, Cedrick Juan is Danilo Abad, Rico Blanco is Epifanio Javier, Enrique Gil is Lieutenant Billy Ojeda, Joey Marquez is Rogelio Liwanag, Kiko Estrada is Carmelo de Leon.Red bagged the Cannes Palme d’Or for the short film, “Anino” (2000). His last feature film was “Mga Rebeldeng May Kaso” (2015).

Directing a period film undoubtedly requires extensive research, not just for the story, but even for the props, the wardrobe to be used and more so, the music used as background and theme.

Directing a period film undoubtedly requires extensive research, not just for the story, but even for the props, the wardrobe to be used and more so, the music used as background and theme.