ABS-CBN, a prominent player in the Philippine entertainment industry, is gearing up to unveil its latest offering, “The Bagman,” at the upcoming ATF market in Singapore. Actor Arjo Atayde, a key figure in the series, will be present as part of the promotional team.
This new venture, “The Bagman,” emerges as a spin-off from the locally popular digital series “Bagman,” initially crafted for the Filipino audience. The creators have set their sights on making it an international co-production, with ABS-CBN International Productions, Nathan Studios, Rein Entertainment, and Dreamscape Entertainment already on board.
The original digital series, “Bagman 1 and 2,” successfully sold to Netflix Philippines, narrating the tale of Benjo Malaya, a neighborhood barber who, after securing a position as the governor’s henchman, becomes entangled in a perilous web of crime, corruption, and political turbulence.
In “The Bagman,” the storyline takes a compelling turn as Malaya, now a convicted ex-governor, receives distressing news about his missing family. Faced with no alternative, he reluctantly re-enters the treacherous underworld he had abandoned. This time, he assumes the role of a bagman for the sitting president of the Republic of the Philippines, embarking on a mission to avert an imminent civil war.
The series boasts an ensemble cast, including John Arcilla (“On the Job 2: The Missing 8,” “The Bourne Legacy”) and Judy Ann Santos-Agoncillo (“Mindanao”). With casting finalized, production is slated to commence in January, structured as an eight-episode series, each lasting one hour.
Ruel S. Bayani, the head of international productions at ABS-CBN, expressed enthusiasm about the timing of the global sales launch at ATF. He highlighted the suspenseful, gripping, and fast-paced nature of “The Bagman,” emphasizing the company’s commitment to promoting Filipino representation. Bayani also celebrated the addition of award-winning talents Arjo, John, and Judy Ann to the project, underscoring the continual growth and expansion of Filipino programming.
ABS-CBN, once the Philippines’ leading broadcaster, has undergone a transformation into a content production company following the revocation of its broadcast licenses by former president Duterte. Notable for past successes like “Cattleya Killer,” the company remains resilient in navigating the evolving landscape of Filipino entertainment.
