The next great chapter of Philippine cinema is being written and it’s being led by three of its most formidable forces.
Acclaimed filmmaker Erik Matti, powerhouse producer Dondon Monteverde, and TV’s favorite action hero Coco Martin, are joining forces to create films built not just for the local audience, but for the world stage.
The announcement revealed a two-year slate of projects designed to reinvigorate local filmmaking, beginning with two ambitious titles: “On the Job: Maghari” (2026) and “May Pagasa: The Battles of Andres Bonifacio” (2027).
Both films will be produced under Reality MM Studios in partnership with Coco’s CCM Productions.
Coco dubbed the collaboration a full-circle moment.
“Matagal ko na silang gusto makatrabaho,” he admitted. “Naghihintay lang ako na sana e, mapansin nila ako. Sa wakas, ito at natupad na rin ang pangarap ko.”
Erik, known for gritty realism and audacious storytelling, echoed the sentiment with equal respect.
“Siyempre gusto rin naman naming makatrabaho si Coco,” he said. “We’ve seen what he can do and we’re impressed. Pero siyempre, naghintay lang naman kami ng tamang panahon. Hindi biro ang makipagtrabaho sa isang malaking action star na katulad niya — so we had to pitch the best material possible.”
Dondon, Erik’s longtime creative partner and co-founder of Reality MM Studios, described the moment as the realization of a shared dream.
“I’m just so happy to see the fruition of a long-held dream,” Dondon said. “Lahat kami iisa ang layunin: To elevate local entertainment, something na, I believe gusto nating lahat — to go global.”
The partnership arrives at a pivotal time for Philippine cinema, as the industry continues to recover from pandemic setbacks and the rapid rise of streaming.
Dondon, speaking passionately about the theatrical experience, underscored the trio’s collective mission.
“Mahal namin ang cinema. Hindi namin ito puwedeng pabayaan,” he said. “Kaya nga kahit mahirap, kahit alam natin na mahaba at kumplikado ang proseso, tuloy tayo sa pangarap natin na iangat ang kalidad ng pelikulang Pilipino.”
Coco on his part underscored the importance of using his platform to champion local talent.
“Marami tayong magaling na talent, in front and behind the camera,” Martin said. “Ang kailangan lang talaga nila ay opportunity. Ako, gusto ko makatulong sa lahat. Gusto ko sabay-sabay tayong umangat.”
The first of the projects, “On the Job: Maghari,” will serve as a prequel to Matti’s award-winning “On the Job” saga, a landmark in Philippine crime cinema that earned international praise for its raw portrayal of corruption, power, and survival.
Following that, “May Pagasa: The Battles of Andres Bonifacio” will reimagine the life of the revolutionary hero through Erik’s signature visceral lens, promising a mix of historical depth and contemporary relevance.
As Erik puts put it, “The goal isn’t just to make movies — it’s to make history.”
