DIRECTOR BOBBY BONIFACIO did several full length films for Vivamax like “Tahan”, “Bula” and “Salamat Daks”.
He now helms his first mini-series, “Sex Hub”, which has four episodes that will start airing on Sunday, June 4.
Is it based on a true story?
“No, it is a fictional story but inspired by stories in the likes of ‘Hunger Games’, ‘ Saw’, ‘Squid Games’ and ‘Battle Royale’,” he says. “But we gave it a more local flavor.”
So how is it directing a mini-series for the first time?
“Siempre mas mahirap gawin kasi four episodes, maraming subplots at mas maraming characters,” he says.
“But we shot it nang parang pelikula. All the four episodes were shot in six days. Naghahabol kami sa budget at sa oras, but we did it naman.”
He says this is his most daring work so far.
“Yes, ito ang pinakamatapang na ginawa ko so far dahil marami talagang sex scenes.
"Even my director of photography and my assistant director told me, grabe, iba ka rito, kasi very daring wild mo sa sex scenes.
"Pero salamat din na matatapang ang mga artista ko at very cooperative, kaya nagagawa namin ang mga mapapangahas na eksena sa series.”
He is handling a big ensemble cast led by Micaella Raz as the lead character named Carmin, who becomes a sex slave in a sex den called “Sex Hub”, Joko Diaz as her dad and Karl Aquino as her boyfriend.
Supporting them are AJ Oteyza, Yda Manzano, Jason Evans, Salome Salvi, Shiena Yu, Chester Grecia, Caira Lee and Roi Alonte.
“Marami sa kanila mga baguhan and I wish I got to know them all better muna before we started shooting,” adds Direk Bobby.
“But we were pressed for time, so trabaho na agad kami. Ang mga bagong artista, they really need guidance throughout every scene, so we'd give a little more time for their motivation .
"It’s good they all listen and they understand kapag may kailangang mapagalitan. They know it’s all part of the process.
"Kapag hindi ko nagustuhan ang ginawa nila, pinauulit ko talaga, including si Micaella who’s very open in the lead role, kaya talagang I can say that I pushed her to give out her best.”
Joko Diaz is the most veteran among his cast members. So how is it working with him?
“Masaya akong nakatrabaho ko si Kuya Joko for the first time dahil napakagaan nyang kasama sa set.
"Malaki rin ang nai-contribute ng experiences niya, lalo na't may ilang maaksiyong mga eksena sa series.
"He easily syncs with his character and like most seasoned actors I've worked with, he's very generous in making his younger co-actors deliver well.”
“Sex Hub” is not just about the sex scenes but it is also a touching story about family, about the love between father and daughter, specially the father who will do everything to rescue his only child from a dangerous sex syndicate.
It is also a cautionary story for women to be more careful about boyfriends who take videos of their lovemaking that are later posted online to go viral and be a sex scandal video.
