“Mamay: A Journey to Greatness,” the biopic of Nunungan, Lanao Del Norte’s beloved mayor Marcos Mamay, touched audiences on August 27 at SM Megamall Cinema 1 with its powerful message of resilience and determination. Directed by Neal “Buboy” Tan, the film chronicles the local chief executive’s humble beginnings to his rise as a public servant.
Starring Jeric Raval as the titular character, Mamay told The Manila Times that his biographical film is not just a portrayal of a man’s life journey but also an inspirational piece aimed at encouraging viewers to overcome obstacles in their pursuit of success. He underscored that while the narrative is grounded in the reality of poverty, the movie’s most important message is that such challenges should never hinder one’s aspirations.
“This is not a political film,” Mayor Mamay clarified in a brief one-on-one on the red carpet. “The script is written from the perspective of someone who dreams of overcoming hardships and achieving his goals. Huwag nating gawing dahilan ang pagiging mahirap para hindi makatapos ng pag-aaral (Let’s not use being poor as an excuse not to finish our education). Poverty is not a hindrance to success.”
The film spans various stages of Mamay’s life, including his struggles as a diligent student, his unfulfilled dream of joining the Philippine Military Academy (PMA), and his journey toward public service.
As director Tan said in a speech before the screening, “A Journey to Greatness” is a testament to Mamay’s unwavering determination and reflects his deep commitment to his constituents, mirroring his real-life efforts to uplift his community.
Mamay with the lead stars of his biopic, Jeric Raval and Ara Mina.
A well-attended event, the premiere drew not just the star-studded cast — which includes Ara Mina and Teejay Marquez, among many others — the mayor’s celebrity friends like PCSO Director Imelda Papin, but also members of the community who have been touched by Mamay’s story.
Raval, for his part, expressed his admiration for the mayor’s life story and thanked him for tasking him to bring it to life on the screen. “It was an honor to play such a resilient character,” he enthused. “Mayor Mamay’s life is a testament to what one can achieve through hard work and perseverance.”
Meanwhile, Mamay also hinted at his plans to submit the biopic to the 2024 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) in the hopes of inspiring more people.
“The MMFF is highly anticipated and could share my life story to a wider audience,” he remarked. “Regardless of the outcome, I hope the film will inspire viewers to chase their dreams and contribute to their communities.”
Nonetheless, “Mamay” is bound for special screenings across the country and Filipino communities abroad. Nunungan’s pride furthered he especially hopes to draw the youth to watch his biopic.
“I hope students who cannot finish their studies because of hardships get to see this movie and find the will not to give up,” he said once more, reiterating the movie’s core message that poverty should never be a barrier to success.
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