Joel Ruiz
Director
Madonna Tarrayo
Producer
Philippines
Country
Logline

After a heist goes terribly wrong, a bank robber inadvertently ends up with a 3-month old baby as he escapes the scene. An unexpected relationship develops between the two as danger follows their every move.

Short Synopsis

In a rural town, self-destructive DANIEL DE DIOS (31) is recruited by his uncle TEROY (60s), a local crimelord, for an easy bank robbery. It’s a disaster and Daniel narrowly escapes by stealing a car. He doesn’t realize until late that there is a BABY inside. Fearing capture, he takes the baby and hides at Teroy’s isolated jungle hideout. He tells Teroy that the Baby is his son; Teroy tells him to keep the Baby a secret from the other men there. 

The gang plans another robbery. The other men are wary of Daniel, who keeps to himself. Meanwhile, Daniel calls the baby ANGEL and falls in love with him. He tells Teroy he dreams of returning to his childhood town to raise Angel. However, Teroy’s right-hand man, XY (27) discovers the truth about Angel and blackmails Daniel for money, in exchange for not telling Teroy. Daniel relents and is unable to leave.

Daniel meets and confides in JANINE, Teroy’s favorite prostitute, and she supplies Angel with her own milk. Teroy is abusive to Janine. A secret relationship forms. 

XY threatens Daniel and Angel until Daniel has no more to give. Daniel tries to leave, but before he could, Angel is discovered by the others. The men are outraged, but to XY’s frustration, the men warm up to Angel. Angel’s presence bonds the men together, and a peace is found. During a trip to town, XY discovers that there is a bounty on Daniel for kidnap. XY plots to abduct Angel for the reward. 

One night, Angel falls violently to the ground. Daniel takes him to town to seek treatment. On the way back, XY attempts to get the baby from Daniel. Daniel kills XY in a rage and disposes of his body. He tells the others at camp that XY abandoned them and went home. The men become suspicious. 

Daniel, fearing for Angel’s safety, decides to return him to his real family. Janine is tired of Teroy’s abuses and steals some of his money. She joins Daniel and Angel as they escape into the jungle. Teroy finds out the truth about Angel, and Daniel and Janine’s b trayal. Teroy chases after them, and shoots Janine dead. 

At the same time, the police raid the camp. In the ensuing violence, most of the men are killed. Finally, Daniel sacrifices his life protecting Angel. Angel survives and is found, safe and well.

JOEL RUIZ
Joel Ruiz

Joel Ruiz is an award-winning director from Manila, Philippines. His films have been screened in festivals around the world, beginning the acclaimed short film Mansyon (The Mansion), which won at the very first Cinemalaya Film Festival. His debut feature Baby Angelo premiered in the Busan International Film Festival. His last feature film, 2018’s Kung Paano Siya Nawala (How She Left Me) was critically acclaimed, garnering six Gawad Urian (Film Academy) nominations including Best Picture. When it was released on Netflix, it debuted on #1 and stayed for two weeks. 

He is a founder of Arkeofilms, one of the country’s premiere independent film outfits. He is also a successful advertising director, working for UxS Inc., where he specializes in story-based commercials. A number of his work have been viral sensations.

MADONNA TARRAYO
Madonna Tarrayo

UXS is a seasoned local and global advertising, content and entertainment production company based in the Philippines. We turn every compelling story from script to screen, across all platforms. With over 36 years of storytelling and technical excellence, we have produced award winning and memorable ads, films, branded entertainment projects, unique series, in collaboration with some of the best and biggest advertisers, broadcast networks, entertainment studios, and post-production companies globally. 

Some of our most notable and award-winning works are LOL Philippines, the top Filipino content in Prime Video, Comedy Island Philippines also for Prime, Gitling or Hyphen, 100 and The Woman in the Septic Tank for Cinemalaya, Maledicto for Fox Philippines and Cignal Entertainment, Whistleblower, I Do Bidoo, La Visa Loca, Santa Santita and Crying Ladies (Philippines Oscar entry in 2003), the story summit and localization of Trese, an animated series produced by Netflix US with Base Entertainment, and Tired Melodies, a short film for The Manila Film Festival directed by Pepe Diokno. 

We are currently in production for 4 films – 3 fiction films and 1 docume tary, and 3 films and 1 series in development.