I’ve known Atty. Joji Alonso, the maverick producer of Quantum Films for more than two decades.
We both worked as independent artists at the Radio Philippines Network (RPN) Channel 9.
I was doing the entertainment news coverage for “Action 9,” the block time public affairs show produced by Lino Barte and the late Perry Pimental and later for “Arangkada Extra Balita,” the noontime news show anchored by Angelique Lazo ang Dodie Lacuna while she was hosting “Legal Forum.”
We would always bump into each other at Broadcast City and elsewhere and we would exchange pleasantries however fleeting.
Once I paid a visit to her studio where she was holding her show because her director, Jeffrey Jeturian, is one of my friends and classmates at the very first free scriptwriting workshop of Ricky Lee in 1982.
Until she decided to produce films, one of them, “Minsan Pa” with Jeffrey as director.
It was followed by a series of productions until Joji established her own movie company, Quantum Films which has been consistently making films, solo or co-venture.
Alonso is now considered one of the major solo film producers who still co-produces with other enterprising outfits.
In a very demanding nature of film production, how does Atty. Joji manage to survive lawyering and filmmaking simultaneously?
In one of her recent digital posts, Joji confided when she posted two separate photos: “These 2 photos perfectly capture the life that I lived the last 21 years—the practice of law AND filmmaking. They are extremely different and utilize my brain to its full capacity—the left part for law and the right part for creating films.
“Many times, I ask myself why do I burden myself to do both? Maybe it’s because, fortunately, I still can. But the reason that seems to really resonate is that I love doing both!!! Each field brings forth a different sense of fulfillment every time.
“During this period of the MMFF, it is my wish that everyone gets to watch ‘UNMARRY’ that Chris Martinez and I conceptualized some 3 years ago. It went through so many changes and eventual challenges and it finally found its way to fruition. Interestingly, the film combines both fields that I have learned to love over the years.
“Off now to Cebu for my last hearing this 2025.”
“Unmarry,” a joint venture of Quantum Films and Cineko Productions for the 2025 Metro Manila Film Festival that stars Angelica Panganiban, Zanjoe Marudo, Solenn Heussaf, and Tom Rodriguez while award-winning film artist Jeffrey Jeturian directs, has gone though not only a creative process but a legal framework as well.
According to Joji, what is important in a film project is research which is the content of her educating the audience in a crash course or a Do-It-Yourself (DIY) subject like Filmmaking 101.
In her Facebook post, Alonso emphasized the word “research” and dropped it thrice.
“One can never go wrong with a story inspired by real life experiences,” informed Atty. Joji.
The indefatigable lawyer said that Chris went through various researches before he was able to come up with the final drfat of the script.
“He also attended real life annulment hearings, where he witnessed firsthand the emotional toll couples endure during the proceedings. Couples are required to recount their relationships in detail, from start to the eventual breakdown, turning deeply personal experiences into public testimony,” said Joji.
“’Yung una, parang chill lang (The first one, it was like cool), ‘yung pangalawa nakakatawa (the second one was amusing). Pero ‘yung pangatlo na napanood ko, tungkol talaga sa pamilya eh. Masakit. Parang nanonood ka ng scene sa pelikula, na tumutulo na lang yung luha mo kasi masakit Talaga (But the third one that I witnessed was really family. It was painful. It’s like you’re watching a scene from a movie that you find yourself crying because it was really painful),” Chris shared (as echoed by Joji). where he witnessed firsthand the emotional toll couples endure during the proceedings.”
After all the creative requirements are in place, a meeting is called for as in pre-prod, and then principal photography and post-production.
Marketing follows and finally, showing and monitoring.
The rest of the phases follow.
During the 51st MMFF Parade of Stars, Joji disclosed a prep up for the float to take on her whole production.
“Bago mag UnMarry, syempre kailangan muna nakasal na (Of course, before “unmarry,” a wedding must happen. Thus, the float for ‘UnMarry’—the movie to watch out for on Christmas Day and beyond. A masterpiece of Angel Diesta!!!” said Alonso merrily.
In between these stages, Atty. Joji remembers a very striking discovery of a boy who portrayed the son of Zanjoe and Angelica named Elio as performed by Zac Plata.
Here’s Alonso’s narrative on the wonderful performance of the boy.
“He [Zanjoe Marudo] was effective as a loving father especially in light of the breakout star and scene stealer child actor whose character is named ‘Elio.’
“Whoever discovered that kid—"Elio”—and taught him acting deserves all the praise and a raise!
“Naluluha na ako kay (I am teary-eyed for) Angelica Panganiban but my tears gushed when Zanjoe’s kid testified in court and acted his guts out without being like other child actors who act with a sing-song monotonous or stereotypical tune.
“So paano ba ito (how’s it now, Bombi Plata? Mag-aagawan na tayo (It’s a struggle) for the praise and raise! Labanan ng (It’s a fight between) discoverer vs acting coach,” noted the lady producer.
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