By Evelyn Diao
Starting today, December 3, Philippine cinemas welcome a much-needed antidote to everyday stress in the form of the movie Jackstone 5. This film, far more than just being hilarious, delivers a very timely message: that true friendship transcends class, status, and—most significantly—gender.
Helmed by award-winning Joel Lamangan, who not only directs but also stars, Jackstone 5 brings together a powerhouse ensemble of comedy veterans and dramatic heavyweights: Eric Quizon, Arnell Ignacio, Jim Pebanco, and Gardo Versoza. The resulting chemistry is explosive, cementing this movie as essential viewing this holiday season.
The Wacky Road to Reunion
The premise is straightforward, yet the execution is anything but conventional. The movie opens with an instantly iconic and hilarious scene: five former high school friends, gay men who first bonded in the 1970s, competing in a flamboyant costume contest—a chaotic, culture-interpreting prelude to their long-awaited reunion. Life, college, and professional paths had caused the five to drift apart.
Their shared journey begins when they hire a van to revisit their roots, traveling back to their former school grounds in Pagsanjan and Kalayaan, Laguna. It is during this grueling, four-hour-long trip that the heart of the story unfolds. As they reminisce, argue, and laugh uncontrollably, the audience is treated to the wackiest of high school memories, perfectly framed by the cramped confines of their transit.
The film’s uncanny naturalism is a proof to the seamless collaboration between Direk Joel Lamangan and award-winning screenwriter Eric Ramos. Ramos seems to have tailored the screenplay specifically for this quintet, allowing the dialogue and scenarios to flow so effortlessly that, as many viewers noted during the premiere, “it was as if the actors were not acting at all.”
The Powerhouse Ensemble
Rating the individual performances of the Jackstone 5 is, as one premiere attendee perfectly put it, “beyond words.” There is an obvious dedication to ensemble support; there is no sense of competition, only mutual elevation, especially evident during the film’s high-stakes confrontations.
Eric Quizon shines brightly, effortlessly channeling the comedic timing inherited from his late father, the Comedy King Dolphy. When asked about stepping into his father’s shoes, Eric offered a humble and moving response: “There is only one Dolphy. He is irreplaceable. No one could replace Dolphy. He was the only Comedy King. Maybe there’s an Eric, but there is only one Dolphy.” Yet, Eric proves here that he has inherited not just the comedic genius but also the capacity for deep, dramatic seriousness that defined his father’s versatility.
TV host and comedian Arnell Ignacio delivers a performance that feels utterly natural, serving as a powerful voice for the film’s broader message. Arnell hopes the audience will realize that “there’s really not that much of a difference on how each of us relates a story, whether from a gay point of view or from a straight guy.”
“Yung bading, siguro naiba lang sa tono kung papano naglalahad ng kanyang kuwento. Basically, pareho lang naman, e. Pareho lang, ang mga lalaki, may babaero. Pareho lang ang problema, nag-iiba lang yung character. Napansin niyo, hindi naman niyo nararamdaman na nanonood kayo ng mga bakla, e. Naaaliw lang tayo, kasi ang mga bakla kasi, ang ingay,” he insightfully explained.
The ensemble is rounded out by the inherent professionalism of Jim Pebanco, who handles every scene with passion and seriousness, and the pleasantly surprising turn of Gardo Versoza. Who would have thought this long-time hunk and frequent protagonist could be so utterly convincing as a gay man grappling with love, regret, and past mistakes? Gardo’s ability to balance comic zanyness with dramatic weight is one of the film’s true highlights.
Finally, a tremendous accolade must be given to Direk Joel Lamangan. Directing and acting simultaneously is a feat of endurance, and though Direk Joel vowed it was so hard he wouldn’t do it again, he executed both roles with perfect command.
The Unbreakable Threads of Friendship
For all its wacky costumes and loud banter, Jackstone 5 is intensely heartfelt. The central metaphor, the game of jackstone itself, subtly speaks to resilience and connection. The film reminds us that in life, there are only a handful of true friends you can count on—in need and in deed.
The narrative navigates familiar challenges: betrayal, conflict, and the pain of drifting away. But ultimately, forgiveness prevails, and love conquers all faults, bringing laughter back into the fold.
Eric Quizon summed up the film’s secondary achievement perfectly: “Through this film Jackstone 5, we were able to make a film, and more than that, our friendship became more solid.”
In a world often defined by divisions, Jackstone 5 teaches us that true friendship knows no age limits, no time constraints, and absolutely no gender boundaries. While the characters are gay, the story is universal—a beacon not only for the LGBTQ+ community but for anyone who has ever found their chosen family, from local Filipinos to OFWs discovering true kindred spirits abroad.
Jackstone 5, produced by APEX Creative Production, Inc., with Dennis Evangelista as line producer, is an absolute must-see. Grab your friends and brace yourselves for a film that will make you laugh until you cry, then hug your chosen family tight. It is now showing in all theaters, beginning today, December 3.
