A fusion of musical numbers and inspirational tales straight from the life of Francisco Domagoso, popularly known as Isko Moreno, makes this new movie offering a worthwhile experience for its director Joven Tan, who is also the one behind all the songs and the music written for ‘Yorme: The Isko Domagoso Story.’

“It has always been a dream of mine to direct a musical wherein people will be able to witness the struggles of a person, and how he triumphs from them and how he made all his dreams into realities,” shared Joven Tan. “The life story of Isko Moreno is the perfect material for it. This film was not that easy to do because we did it during the pandemic. Despite all the restrictions, we finished and I am thankful of that fact.”

Moreno’s most important chapters in life are highlighted in the movie. Raikko Mateo plays the youngest version of him as he protrays the life as a boy garbage collector. His teen, high school life and That’s Entertainment days, McCoy de Leon portrays it. The politician and political chapters of his well-chronicled and documented life, Xian Lim steps in the shoes of the current Mayor of Manila.

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Majority of us has an idea on the what and how of Moreno’s life,” Joven added. “The whys and wherefore of it, the dreamer, the hard worker and the survivor, nasa movie na ito. Mas makikilala natin siya. Isko is the real deal. From time to time, he stumbles, gets not only physical but emotional bruises and scars, he laughs, weeps, hopes for a better tomorrow and today, a fighter and not a quitter.”

A total of 15 original songs are featuring in the movie. What about them? Joven explained that “They are songs of hope. That is what I want to convey and what the audiences to realize. Masaya man o malungkot ang kanta, I want them to know that the saying hope springs eternal is true.”

For the director, the most inspiring lesson from the life of Isko Moreno is: “We are the captain of our ship. We are the drivers of our lives. We have the choice to make or break our lives. Kung susuko tayo, hindi natin makukuha ang pangarap natin… kung tataasan natin ang pangarap natin, maabot man natin kahit kalahati noon, mataas pa rin. Libre ang mangarap, sabayan lang natin ng pagsisikap at pagdadasal.”

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Also in the cast are Janno Gibbs as German Moreno, Jestoni Alarcon as Daddy Wowie Roxas, Tina Paner and Ramon Christopher Guiterrez, as the parents of Isko, and MJ Lastimosa as Mrs. Diana Ditan-Moreno.

Former That’s Entertainment members namely Keempee de Leon, Jeffrey Santos, Lovely Rivero, Karen Timbol, Maricar De Mesa, Jennifer Mendoza, Bryle Mondejar, Ricky Rivero, Jojo Abellana, Manolet Rippol and Jovit Moya also appear in the movie.

Isko’s reaction when he watched the finish film? Director Tan replies: “At first, he was pensive. It seems that he is enjoying the experience. Parang flashback sa kanya. His reactions were sincere and spontaneous lalo na kung detailed yung napapanood niya. He was in glee to see that in some of the scenes, he saw a former teacher. He even recollected the names of his classmates especially the ones who taunted and teased him before. He recalled the names of their neighbors. I observed that his eyes turned misty in some portions of the movie. While he’s watching, ako, siya naman pinapanood ko kasi kung ramdam niya yung pinagdaanan niya, I am sure ramdam na rin ng taong manonood ang mga hirap, tagumpay na nadaanan niya.”

Produced by Saranggola Media Productions and distributed by Viva Films, ‘Yorme:The Isko Domagoso Story’ opens in Philippine theaters on December 1.