Marupok A+ Opens in Ayala Cinemas on July 10

After making the rounds of international film festivals and becoming the closing film of last year’s Cinemalaya, Marupok A+ will have its Philippine theatrical run exclusively at Ayala Malls Cinemas beginning July 10, 2024. Directed by Quark Henares and starring EJ Jallorina, Royce Cabrera, and Maris Racal, the film centers around catfishing in the online dating world.

Transgender woman Janzen Torres (EJ Jallorina) matches with Theo Balmaceda (Royce Cabrera) in an online dating site. Love seems to be right around the corner. Soon, Janzen learns that not everything is what it seems, and Theo might be leading her to danger.

EJ Jallorina started out as a child performer in Goin’ Bulilit. Her other TV shows and movies are Marry Me, Marry You and Mamu: A Mother, Too. Identifying as a transgender woman, she was part of Preview’s iconic Pride cover for June 2024.

Royce, meanwhile, had his breakout role in the 2019 Cinemalaya film Fucbois and went on to be in several GMA dramas, such as Makiling, The Write One, Lilet Matias Attorney at Law, and Widows’ War.

Maris Racal portrays Beanie, a mischievous yet twisted director who is heavily involved in the Janzen-Theo affair. The Pinoy Big Brother alumnus, singer, actress gained raves for her character Irene Young-Tiu in Can’t Buy Me Love.

Maris said that Marupok A+ is entertaining as a comedy-thriller and also enlightening. ‘The movie tackles very important messages…one of these is about transphobia. She adds, “[transphobia] is very real and it happens every day to a lot of transwomen and transmen; they get bullied a lot every day.” Further, “that part we (straight people) don’t know, because we are not in their shoes. After watching our film, I want people to feel and to know what they (transgenders) feel, and to be more compassionate.”

“The subject matter is important, and that is what we want the viewers to see. The film is based on real events and real people,” Royce reiterated.

EJ, for her part, commended director Quark Henares and everyone who made the movie possible. “I am glad that there are brave people out there who help tell the stories of transgender persons like me, and who also make it possible for us to continue to work in the industry.”