Sandino Martin Heads New Breed Of Young Actors Honed By Theatre & Indie Films, Shines As 'Ringgo, The Dog Shooter'

THERE’S A NEW breed of young actors today who have been honed by their acting experiences in indie films and theater, like Junjun Quintana who shone in “Water Lemon” Anthony Falcon in “Anino sa Likod ng Buwan” and Sandino Martin and JC Santos in “Esprit de Corps”. Sandino is really quite impressive as he’s also a good singer. He’s now in four new movies: “Ringgo, The Dog Shooter” where he plays the title role, “Tulay ng San Sebastian” with Joem Bascon and “Oro” with Irma Adlawan (both directed by Alvin Yapan of “Sayaw ng Dalawang Kaliwang Paa”) and “Larawan”, the musical based on National Artist Nick Joaquin’s “Portrait of the Artist as Filipino”, where he plays Bitoy Camacho which was originally played by the late Vic Silayan.

After winning the Cinema One best actor award for “Esprit de Corps”, some folks believe he might win again as best actor in the World Premieres Filmfest for “Ringgo” as his role here is an acting vehicle, along with Janice de Belen who plays a lesbian dog breeder. “Ringgo is a boy abandoned by his parents and raised by Bembol Roco who’s cruel to him,” says Sandino. “He works as an assistant to a dog shooter, played by Bodgie Pascua, whose work is to make sure that when dogs mate, naipapasok talaga ang organ ng male dog doon sa female dog para ma-shoot lahat ng semen inside.


When Bodgie dies, siyang pumalit dito. He meets Bong, played by Janice de Belen, a dog breeder na naging parang ina niya kasi he’s looking for love. Along with the dog Inca, nagkaroon sila ng maternal relationship and get involved with each other’s personal issues. I have to train for the Ringgo role weeks before shooting started kasi kailangang maging comfortable sa’kin yung dog, si Inca, at masanay akong hawakan yung ari ng mga aso sa breeding scenes.”

As for Janice de Belen, she was challenged by her role as Bong. “Kasi hindi siya stereotypical na lesbian. Naloka ako kasi iba talaga siya. At naloka ko lalo kasi may lesbian love scene ako with Liza Dino. Akala ko, hindi ko makakaya, but Direk Rahyan Carlos pushed me. Hirap na hirap akong gawin but, doing it made me realize na girl talaga ako. I still prefer men.”

The movie is bankrolled by first time producer Olive Oteyza who says she’s ready to produce more local films. “I was convinced to produce this because I believe in the story kasi animal lover din ako and I trust Direk Rahyan,” she says. “I’m not sure if I’d get back the money I invested here but I realized I love making movies and it’s now my passion."

Being introduced in “Ringgo” is her only daughter, Mycha Oteyza, who is a balikbayan from New York and was personally trained by Direk Rahyan as a Star Magic talent.