Sassa Gurl during her guest appearance on 'Oh My Gan!'. Screenshot from ABS-CBN News on YouTube
Sassa Gurl is taking another major step in her entertainment career not just as an actress, but also as a producer determined to help bring more transgender stories to the big screen.
During her interview on “Oh My Gan!” posted Wednesday, Sassa revealed that she personally helped finance “Multwoh,” her first lead film, after believing strongly in its story and representation.
“Bukod sa pagiging actor dito sa pelikulang ’to, producer din ako,” Sassa said, explaining that the project initially existed only as a concept and did not yet have financial backing.
“Noong una, concept pa lang siya. Wala pang producer. Wala pang pumopondo. Wala pang pera, basically. So nung mga oras na ’yun, prinoduce ko siya,” she shared.
The project later received additional support through CinePanalo.
For Sassa, putting her own money behind the movie was about more than getting her first leading role. She believed the film could contribute to the limited number of Filipino movies centered on transgender characters and their experiences.
“Naniniwala ako na itong storya na ’to ay isang storya ng trans,” Sassa said. “Yung mga story ng trans, wala masyadong trans na story sa pelikula. Puro either straight na pelikula or bakla sa bakla. May mga ngilan-ngilan, pero hindi gano’n kadami.”
That gap convinced her to take the risk.
“Sabi ko, gusto kong pondohan ’tong story ng pag-ibig na ’to,” she said.
Written by director Rodina Singh specifically for Sassa, “Multwoh” explores what she described as an “undying love” story.
“Pag nagmamahal tayo, minsan may mga pagmamahal tayong hindi natin nasasabi sa mga minamahal natin. 'Yung mga tipong hindi tayo nakapag-‘I love you,’ pero too late na ang lahat,” she explained. “Dito papakita na ang pagmamahal ng trans ay hindi namamatay. Na hanggang sa hukay, mumultuhin ka talaga.”
Sassa described the movie as a mix of comedy, romance and horror. “Komedya siya na may halong pakilig, na may halong takutan,” she said.
The film, which also features Joao Constancia as Sassa’s leading man, is set to hit cinemas on September 26.
Aside from “Multwoh,” Sassa is also part of the comedy film “Saving Cherry,” alongside Barbie Forteza, Mika Salamanca, AC Bonifacio and other cast members.
Sassa described the experience on set as considerably more chaotic. “Pinaka-chaotic talaga kasi kami dito,” she said.
According to Sassa, the cast initially had reservations around each other during their look test, but quickly became closer as production progressed.
“May walls kami sa isa’t isa. Not until nag-inuman kami. Ay, bakla, wala na,” she joked. “After that, bardagulan na kami. So kakaiba talaga ’to. Wild ang ‘Saving Cherry.’”
Sassa said the role came after she previously worked with Regal Entertainment on “Shake, Rattle & Roll.” She recalled producer Roselle Monteverde telling her that the team enjoyed her performance and wanted to work with her again on another comedy.
“Sabi niya, ‘Happy daw siya sa eksena ko doon.’ So sabi niya, ‘Gusto namin mag-another pa with you. Mayroon kaming another project for you. Katatawanan ’to,’” Sassa recalled.
Her answer was immediate. “Sabi ko, go, game! Basta katatawanan, laban ako diyan.”
READ: Sassa Gurl bags first acting award for performance in 'Bar Boys: After School'
One of the biggest draws for Sassa was also getting the opportunity to work with Forteza, whom she had recently admired after watching her performance in “Kontrabida Academy.”
“Fan na fan ako ni Barbie lately… sobrang galing niya doon,” Sassa said. “Sabi ko, ay, ang dami kong matututunan kay Barbie. So ginow ko na agad.”
From making social media videos at home during the pandemic to taking on acting and producing duties, Sassa said her career continues to be unpredictable but despite moments of exhaustion, she remains determined to pursue the dream she has carried since childhood.
“Napapagod ako, yes. Pero hindi ako bumibitaw sa kung ano yung sinimulan ko,” she said.