December 28, 2025 | 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines — Amid the political and alleged corruption issues in the Philippines and criticisms of its slow judicial system, the cast members of “Bar Boys: After School,” an official entry in the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) 2025, were asked during the press conference whether being a lawyer remains a noble profession in the country.
The original stars of the 2017 film, “Bar Boys,” reprised their roles in the comedy-drama, helmed by Kip Oebanda and co-written by Zig Dulay (“Firefly” and “Green Bones,” both Best Picture winners at the MMFF 2023 and 2024) and Carlo Catu (Cinemalaya 14 Best Film “Kung Paano Hinihintay ang Dapithapon”).
In the film, Rocco Nacino plays Atty. Torran Garcia, Enzo Pineda as Atty. Chris Carlson, Carlo Aquino as Atty. Erik Vicencio and Kean Cipriano as Josh Zuñiga, with veteran and award-winning actress Odette Khan returning as Justice Hernandez whose character was inspired by the late Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago.
It is produced by the independent production company 901 Studios, founded by Jon Galvez, Leo Liban and Carlos Ortiz.
According to the media release, “Bar Boys: After School” picks up a decade after the original film’s ending. The law school barkada are now established professionals, but their 10-year reunion quickly turns bittersweet.
Their beloved mentor, a figure of uncompromising integrity and guidance, falls gravely ill, isolated and abandoned by her own family. The four friends, along with a vibrant new generation of law students, step up to fill the void left by her estranged family. In this act of profound service and loyalty, they find that life, not a syllabus, is the ultimate professor.
They confront a new set of ethical dilemmas, realizing that the ambition that drove them through law school now competes with integrity, self-improvement and the continuous search for meaning in their careers and lives.
New faces Will Ashley as Arvin, Sassa Gurl as Trisha, Emilio Daez as Ziggy, Glaiza de Castro as Jazz, Klarisse de Guzman as Mae and Therese Malvar as CJ joined the beloved barkada.
Original director Kip said one of the inspirations for the sequel came from a 2017 social media post by a lawyer who credited “Bar Boys” for inspiring him to enter the profession. Interestingly, he also served as a consultant for the film and inspired the character of Carlo.
Photos from the ‘Bar Boys: After School’ Facebook page
“He also appears in the scene with Carlo,” added direk Kip. “He said that seven years siya nag-law school and then he took the Bar exam after he watched the (original) film. Sabi niya lawyer ako because of ‘Bar Boys.’
“Naging lawyer siya ng mga magsasaka, ng mga kagawad at nag-viral siya during pandemic kasi binabayaran lang siya ng mani at talong. And so he inspired the character of Carlo Aquino in the film.”
Direk Kip went on to say that “Bar Boys: After School” delves into the everyday struggles of Filipinos. “We are validating yung pagod ng working students, unfairness na sistema laban sa mga manggagawa but we are arguing na karapat-dapat pa ring ipaglaban, karapat-dapat pa ring tumuloy, kahit nakakatakot, kahit mahirap, you will still find fulfillment in the fight.”
The filmmaker hoped the film would spark hope among moviegoers. “I hope that the viewers will have the courage to go through their fights — whether involving family matters, school, work or whatever it is that they are fighting for. Sana magkaroon sila ng pagasa and that’s what we hope to take away from the film.”
Sassa, on the other hand, believed that being a lawyer is still a dignified career. “I’ve watched the ‘Bar Boys’ musical and it tackles the different intent of lawyers and students. They have different reasons for taking up law… And I believe that as long as there are people with the intention of helping the country, we will never lose hope for a brighter future and a better government system.”
Benedix Ramos asserted that it’s not just about being a good lawyer but “becoming a good person and people.”
“Mga tunay at mabuting tao,” he explained. “It all starts from there. And if you’re a good person, whatever your profession is, magiging mabuti ka sa ginagawa mo.”
He maintained that “Bar Boys” movies and musical as well as other films with similar themes give inspiration that encourages the audience to become better people.
“I think the real question there is paano bang maging mabuting tao rather than maging isang mabuting lawyer? Kasi magiging natural na yun sa pagkatao if, first of all, you’re a good person, may kinakatakutan ka na may hukuman at may hustisya kang kinakatakutan.”
“Yes, if the lawyer is noble, if he does his job well,” replied Odette. “I watch TV most of the time, and there are young children who are brave (to express oneself)…I know we have good lawyers and I know we have good children.”
