CinemaBravo

Jerald Napoles kicks off the new year with Sampung Utos Kay Josh, taking on the titular role in this “holy-comedy” film. As VIVA Films’ first theatrical release for 2025, does he feel the pressure?

During the press conference in VIVA Café, the actor expressed his gratitude for the opportunities coming his way, along with his fiancée and fellow VIVA artist, Kim Molina.

“Of course, nagpapasalamat kami sa VIVA, especially kami ni Kim, kasi among other artists, may mga bagong artist din kasi ang VIVA na bini-build, para nandoon pa kami sa roster na ipu-produce, isang malaking biyaya yon sa amin, especially opening salvo ng taon,” Napoles shared.

(Of course, we are grateful to VIVA, especially Kim [Molina] and I, because among other artists, there are new artists VIVA is building, yet we’re still part of the roster they continue to produce for. That’s a big blessing for us, especially as the year opens.)

After having memorable roles in hit Netflix titles Instant Daddy and Pagpag 24/7, Napoles reflected on how he handles pressure.

“Tapos, in terms of pressure naman, ako personally hindi ko na iniisip yung pressure. Basta maipalabas, may manood, masaya na kami doon. Ang isa lang na masasabi ko dito sa pelikulang ito, maganda yung tema. Sobrang ganda ng tema, yung plot, it’s worth it na ma-produce at worth it na mapanood.”

(As for the pressure, personally, I don’t think about it anymore. As long as it gets shown and people watch, we’re happy with that. What I can say about this movie is that it has a good theme. The theme and the plot are so good; it’s worth producing and worth watching.)

Same comedic spirit as Ang Pangarap Kong Holdap

Napoles compared the comedy style of the movie to Ang Pangarap Kong Holdap, a film where he first teamed up with co-star Pepe Herrera and director Marius Talampas. The movie, initially released in cinemas and later streaming on Netflix, became especially known for its unique humor.

He assured viewers, however, that Sampung Utos Kay Josh brings something fresh to the table. “Yung tatak ng comedy nito, parang Pangarap Kong Holdap e! Yung matatandaan mo! Hindi siya yung formula e. Of course, umiiwas tayo sa formula—hindi naman umiiwas pero nag-o-offer tayo ng bago e! Lalo na si Direk, nag-o-offer ng bago.”

(The comedy style of this is like Pangarap Kong Holdap! It’s memorable! It’s not formulaic. Of course, we’re avoiding formulas—not completely avoiding, but we’re offering something new! Especially with Direk, he’s offering something new.)

He also highlighted the late Sherwin Buenvenida’s contribution to the film, making it even more special. “Saka yung material nito… pinagtuunan ng pansin nung the late Sherwin [Buenvenida], yung nagsulat na kaibigan namin. Ito yung huli niyang nasulat bago siya nag-pass away… So, nung nabasa namin yung script, napamura ka’gad kami. Sabi, ‘Ay, pu**a, eto yon! Eto na naman yon, parang Pangarap Kong Holdap.’ Yun nga, iniiwasan na lang yung pressure.”

(And this material… the late Sherwin [Buenvenida], our friend who wrote it, really poured his attention into it. This was the last thing he wrote before he passed away. So, when we read the script, we immediately blurted out, ‘D*mn, this is it! This is just like Pangarap Kong Holdap!’ That’s why we just avoid the pressure.)

Talampas also shared his insights on Sampung Utos Kay Josh, noting the difference between directing this film and his experience as both writer and director for Ang Pangarap Kong Holdap. In Sampung Utos, he focused solely on directing, allowing the late Sherwin Buenvenida’s script to take center stage.

“Yung sensibility ng comedy is the same, pero yung Holdap kasi, wala kang matutunan do’n e! Puro kagaguhan lang talaga yon e, pag napanood mo. Pero ito, since hindi ako yung nagsulat talaga [kundi] si Sherwin, maraming life lessons na, sa perspective ng writer, na wala ako n’on. Ambag ko dito is yung comedy, pero yung lessons, yan, kay Sherwin lahat yan.”

(The sensibility of the comedy is the same, but Holdap had no lessons—you’d just watch nonsense there. But this one, since I didn’t write it but Sherwin did, it has many life lessons from the writer’s perspective, which I don’t have. My contribution here is the comedy, but the lessons, they’re all Sherwin’s.)

A comedy with lessons and laughs

A collaboration between Viva Films, Anima, and Sine Arcade, Sampung Utos Kay Josh tells the story of Josh, a devout follower of the Ten Commandments who finds himself challenging the heavens after a streak of bad luck.

Josh is always ready to help other people, believing that adherence to the divine laws will earn him great rewards from above.  

And why wouldn’t he believe that? Aside from living a good life with his mom, he has a beautiful fiancée and a job promotion to boot. 

However, a series of unfortunate events suddenly strikes Josh: he gets dragged into a financial mess that puts his job and relationship in jeopardy. Things get worse when his mother’s health begins to decline amid the crisis. 

Josh finds himself questioning everything he once believed in, feeling “punished” despite all the good deeds he has done. 

In a desperate bid to get even with the heavens, he decides to break each commandment, one by one. 

Can Josh find redemption in his rebellion, or will breaking the rules break him for good?

The film encourages the audience to face both their doubts and convictions. “’Ang Sampung Utos Kay Josh’ is not merely a film—it is a visceral, cathartic experience that delves into the heart of what it means to be human, challenging us to confront our deepest fears and emerge, perhaps, stronger for the journey,” shares Direk Marius.

Napoles leads the cast, supported by MMFF Best Supporting Actor Pepe Herrera, Albie Casiño, Bobot Mortiz, Irma Adlawan, James Caraan, Ashley Rivera, Debbie Garcia, GB Labrador, and Donna Cariaga.

With its mix of heartfelt moments and uproarious comedy, Sampung Utos Kay Josh is set to bring something truly divine to the big screen.

Don’t miss it in cinemas nationwide on January 29, 2025!