Jean Garcia, Arra San Agustin Lead ‘The Blind Cook’ As Bente Productions Begins Filming In Philippines

By: Jeff Hollingsworth / RMH Media

MANILA — Bente Productions, the film and multimedia company backed by global microfinance leader CARD Mutually Reinforcing Institutions (CARD MRI), has begun production on the feature drama Kusinerang Bulag (The Blind Cook), written and directed by Hugo “Boboy” Yonzon III and executive produced by Marilyn Magampon -Manila and Cyrene Grace Lubigan.

The production comes as Southeast Asian cinema continues to gain international momentum, with films from the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam drawingincreasing attention from global festivals, streaming platforms, and international film
markets.

For Marilyn Manila, President of Bente Productions, the company’s ambitions extend well beyond the Philippines.

“There are more than 20 million Filipinos living outside the country, and they remain deeply connected to our language, traditions, and stories,” Manila said. “For us, that diaspora represents an important audience. Our goal is to bring Filipino stories to screens wherever Filipinos live — and to audiences everywhere who connect with those experiences.”

The Blind Cook follows Luz, a young chef who loses her sight after tragedy but refuses to abandon her family’s restaurant, discovering that resilience — like cooking — requires learning to trust senses beyond sight.

The film stars Arra San Agustin as Luz and features acclaimed Filipino actress Jean Garcia, widely known for her iconic role in the landmark television drama Pangako Sa ’Yo, heading an ensemble cast that blends veteran performers with rising Filipino screen talent.

In a notable element of the production, Jean Garcia appears alongside her real-life daughter Jennica Garcia, who portrays her daughter on screen as well. The cast also includes Victor Neri (Baler, BuyBust), Samantha Samarita, an emerging and versatile actress known for her commercial work as well as roles in the film Uninvited and the recent stage adaptation of the acclaimed film Dagitab, and Madeleine Nicolas.

Principal photography is taking place in Iloilo City and Batanes Island, regions whose landscapes and culinary traditions help shape the emotional and cultural world of the story.

The Blind Cook marks Bente Productions’ second feature film, following their debutrelease, I Remember You, the Boracay-set romance drama starring JC Santos and Valeen Montenegro that opened nationwide in the Philippines earlier this year.

Director Boboy Yonzon says the story grew from a simple but universal human experience.

“Life brings challenges to everyone,” Yonzon said. “The real story is how people respond when something difficult happens. That’s where resilience begins.” Food and family form the emotional core of the film. “In Filipino culture, food is how people gather and care for one another,” Yonzon added. “It’s how affection is expressed in the family.”

The film also explores themes of disability and perception, asking what it means to “see”
beyond physical sight.

Bente Productions will also participate in Hong Kong FILMART this March, where the company plans to introduce its growing slate of projects and engage with international industry partners.

“Participating in international markets like FILMART allows us to introduce Filipino stories
to new partners and collaborators,” Manila said.

Bente Productions grew out of the SineMaya Community Film Festival, launched in 2022 to identify emerging filmmakers and develop new creative talent across the Philippines. In its first three years, the initiative produced more than 30 short films, helping create new pathways into the country’s film industry.

The company made its international debut at the Asian Content & Film Market of the Busan International Film Festival, where it introduced its growing slate of films and series to international distributors and collaborators.

Backed by CARD MRI’s global network and infrastructure, Bente aims to contribute to the Philippines’ growing creative economy while bringing Filipino stories rooted in local experience to audiences around the world.