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  • Banal (2008)
  • 110 min | Action, Drama
Banal (2008)
110 min | Action, Drama

Cris and Jason are two policemen with two opposite personalities and philosophies-Cris is the epitome of the rare, near-extinct breed of honest cops while Jason is the basurero, the legman/front man who does the dirty work of his ...See moreCris and Jason are two policemen with two opposite personalities and philosophies-Cris is the epitome of the rare, near-extinct breed of honest cops while Jason is the basurero, the legman/front man who does the dirty work of his district's high officials. Despite their contrasting natures, the two forge an unlikely friendship during their Special Weapons And Tactics (SWAT) training, a friendship borne from conflict and competition, and bordering on brotherhood. The unlikely architect of their friendship is Major Sagala, their SWAT trainer. An alcoholic and once a basurero himself, Sagala sees in the two young cops the raw talent and skill that could make them the best the force he had ever seen. A loner and an outcast, and despite his rough and tough exterior, Sagala finds the sons he never had in Jason and Cris. Five years later, Cris is transferred from Cotabato to Jason's SWAT unit in Manila. His mother is in need of operation unavailable in the province, prompting him to make the request. It is only then that Jason finds out that he is the godfather to Cris's son, and that the boy is also named after him. For the first time in his life, Jason feels the warmth of a family. But Cris is a changed man. An encounter with a local politician in Cotabato has left him scarred physically and emotionally. His faith in the system he lived for has been replaced by a cynical hatred for the world. As the visit of the pope to the country draws near, Jason and Cris uncover a plot to assassinate the Pontiff. For Jason, cracking this case would mean his ascension from a basurero to legitimate police official. Until he finds out that the seemingly holy Cris is involved in this plot to kill the holiest man in Catholicism. As a bomb ticks its way to an explosive ending, the two men must confront each other in a deadly role reversal that will test their friendship. Banal explores the unseen side of police work, stabs at the unscrupulous behavior of the media in everyday events, and shows an uncompromising picture of Philippine society. In today's day and age, angels can become demons, and sinners can become saints. Written by Anonymous See less
Read more: Plot summary
Director
Writers
Cesar Apolinario (story) (screenplay) | Mac Cruz (story) | Cris Lim (screenplay)
Producer
Composer
Joaquin Acosta (as Wacky Acosta)
Cinematographer
Casting Director
Production Designer
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Status
Edit Released
Updated Dec 24, 2007

Release date
Jan 1, 2008 (Philippines)

Contacts

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Cast

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50 cast members
Name Known for
Christopher De Leon
Major Miguel Sagala Major Miguel Sagala   See fewer
Paolo Contis
Cristobal Cris Marcelo Cristobal Cris Marcelo   See fewer
Alfred Vargas
Jayson Jay Ramos Jayson Jay Ramos   See fewer
Paolo Paraiso
Renate Bade Badenas Jr. Renate Bade Badenas Jr.   See fewer
Pen Medina
Congressman Manalo Congressman Manalo   See fewer
Leo Martinez
Manila District Director Manila District Director   See fewer
Cassandra Ponti
Melody Marcelo Melody Marcelo   See fewer
Pepe Smith
Oplan (as Joey 'Pepe' Smith) Oplan (as Joey 'Pepe' Smith)   See fewer
Ina Alegre
Madre Madre   See fewer
Evangeline Pascual
Mother of Cris Marcelo Mother of Cris Marcelo   See fewer
Paolo Jimenez
Young Jason Marcelo Young Jason Marcelo   See fewer
Ken Villamor
13 Year Old Jason Marcelo 13 Year Old Jason Marcelo   See fewer
Timothy Chan
Young Cris (as Timothy Lambert Chan) Young Cris (as Timothy Lambert Chan)   See fewer
Candace Giron
TV Anchorperson TV Anchorperson   See fewer
Karen Tayao
Reporter 1 Reporter 1   See fewer
Gaann Pineda
Reporter 2 Reporter 2   See fewer
Mica Pineda
Reporter 3 Reporter 3   See fewer
Jet Alcantara
Pinoy Don Pinoy Don   See fewer
Jamina Cruz
Sheila (as Jamima Georgette Cruz) Sheila (as Jamima Georgette Cruz)   See fewer
Rey Q. Bayona Jr.
Pope (as Rey Bayona) Pope (as Rey Bayona)   See fewer
Genebel Mindanao
Lady Airport Guard Lady Airport Guard   See fewer
Ariane
Lady Airport Guard Lady Airport Guard   See fewer
Eduardo Balmaceda
General Sagala General Sagala   See fewer
JM Dizon
Binatilyo Snatcher Binatilyo Snatcher   See fewer
Bogie
Assassin Assassin   See fewer
Joseph Santos
Boyfriend of Abu Malaya Boyfriend of Abu Malaya   See fewer
Rommel Espinosa
Abu Malaya Abu Malaya   See fewer
Krissie Querjino
Estyudanteng Maganda Estyudanteng Maganda   See fewer
Len Len
Old Prostitute Old Prostitute   See fewer
Tin Tin Ramagat
Sampaguita Girl Sampaguita Girl   See fewer
April Jimenez
Family Watching News Report Family Watching News Report   See fewer
Justin Hernando
Family Watching News Report Family Watching News Report   See fewer
Harold Soon
Family Watching News Report Family Watching News Report   See fewer
Freddie Masiglat
Newsroom Boss Newsroom Boss   See fewer
Mike Austria
Gunman Gunman   See fewer
Kyla Diaz
Girl Suspect Girl Suspect   See fewer
Allan De Luna
Congressman's Security Congressman's Security   See fewer
Triple O
Congressman's Security Congressman's Security   See fewer
Ryan Gituaban
Congressman's Security Congressman's Security   See fewer
Ace Palo Delio
Congressman's Security Congressman's Security   See fewer
Melissa
Yaya of Sheila Yaya of Sheila   See fewer
Louie Ong
Chinese Druglord Chinese Druglord   See fewer
Boy Jubellano
Pinoy Suspect Pinoy Suspect   See fewer
Bai
Pinoy Suspect Pinoy Suspect   See fewer
Marvin Tomandao
News Voiceover News Voiceover   See fewer
Roy Alvarez
Ex-Special Forces Officer (uncredited) Ex-Special Forces Officer (uncredited)   See fewer
Serg Ilarina Jr.
Bugaw (uncredited) Bugaw (uncredited)   See fewer
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