MMFF 2026 entry ‘Los Salvajes Bravos’ tells story of Filipinos dehumanized in Spain

The 2026 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) entry “Los Salvajes Bravos” aims to give a voice to the indigenous Filipinos who were taken to Spain in 1887 and displayed as “human exhibits” at the Philippine Exposition.

During the film’s media conference on Thursday, Oct. 29, director Paolo Dy said the historical drama was inspired by the experiences of indigenous Filipinos who were recruited to participate in the exposition in Madrid, where they were presented alongside animals, plants and other products.

Dy said the production initially explored the history of human zoos in the United States, particularly the one in St. Louis, before discovering the earlier exposition in Madrid.

Article continues after this advertisement

“Yung thought na nag-recruit talaga sila ng mga groups, mga Tagalog, mga Negros […] Pwede mong sabihin, parang expo nangyari, parang sinama tayo sa trade fair nila. So, sabi namin, it’s important to tell this story,” he said.

FEATURED STORIES

ENTERTAINMENT

ENTERTAINMENT

ENTERTAINMENT

READ: Kim Chiu-Paulo Avelino drama completes MMFF 2026 ‘Magic 8’ lineup

Dy noted that what makes the story particularly important is that it focuses on ordinary people rather than the prominent historical figures commonly discussed in accounts of the country’s past.

“Ito, kuwento tungkol sa mga ordinaryong tao nanggaling pa sa bundok, nanggaling pa sa ibang lugar ng Pilipinas. At ni-recruit sila. So, sa mga communities nila, never nila ma-imagine ‘yun ang mangyayari sa kanila,” he said.

The director also pointed out that much of the surviving documentation about the Filipinos who participated in the exposition came from the perspective of the Spaniards who organized and recorded the event.

Article continues after this advertisement

“Let’s give the Filipinos a voice. Let’s give them a story. Let’s put flesh on the bones of this very dry record na naiwan sa atin,” Dy said.

“Para naman, ‘yung kuwento naman ng mga ordinaryong tao, ‘yung maikuwento natin. Hindi lang ‘yung mga malaking hero,” added the filmmaker. 

Article continues after this advertisement

“Los Salvajes Bravos” stars Romnick Sarmenta as Ismael Alzate, an Igorot veteran who leads a group of indigenous Filipinos to Madrid, alongside Ruru Madrid as Purganan.

Driven by their hopes of providing a better future for their families, the group travels to Spain, only to find themselves presented as primitive people at El Retiro Park.

Their dehumanizing treatment also drew the condemnation of national hero José Rizal in 1887.

Madrid welcomed the film’s inclusion in the MMFF, saying the festival provides a wider platform for stories that younger generations should learn about.

“It’s about time na makapagkuwento ng mga ganitong (kuwento) at malaman po ng bagong henerasyon because, para po sa akin, ang history ay reflection ng kinakaharap po nating lahat ngayon, kung ano ‘yung nararanasan natin,” he said.

The Kapuso actor added that the experiences of the Filipinos featured in the film could offer audiences hope amid present-day challenges.

Meanwhile, Sarmenta described the film’s inclusion in the festival as an honor and a blessing, particularly because it could introduce families to a part of Philippine history that is rarely discussed in schools.

“Para mapasama ‘yung pelikula na minahal niyo, pinaghirapan niyo at pinagtrabahuan niyo nang sama-sama sa isang festival kung saan sana nga eh buong pamilya ang manood at matutunan ang isang bahagi ng istorya o kasaysayan natin na hindi pinag-uusapan sa mga paaralan,” he said.

The historical drama was directed by Dy, who previously helmed the award-winning film “Ignacio de Loyola,” and co-written with Juan Ekis.

The film was shot in the Philippines and Spain, with the cast spending 22 days in Madrid. Filipino and Spanish languages are also used in the production.

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.

Your subscription has been successful.

“Los Salvajes Bravos” marks JesCom Films’ return to the MMFF three years after “GomBurZa,” which became the most awarded film at the 2023 edition of the festival. /ra