First-time actors will star in an indie film documenting the lives of Tondo boys scavenging iron and metal scraps in Baseco compound. This will be the focus of the upcoming film Bakal Boys (international title: Children Metal Divers) produced by Apogee Productions.

Follow the story of children in Baseco, Tondo who scavenge for iron and metal scraps in the murky waters of Manila Bay. Bakal Boys is the directorial debut of writer Ralston Jover, based on the screenplay he co-wrote with Henry Burgos. Mr. Jover is the award-winning scriptwriter of internationally acclaimed films Kubrador, Tirador, and Foster Child.

Gina Pareño leads the cast of Bakal Boys as a Muslim woman in search of her missing 10-year-old grandson. The cast also includes Simon Ibarra, Jess Evardone, Cherry Malvar and Joe Gruta.

Auditions were held at the Baseco compound where real-life children metal divers aged 6 to 16 were chosen to play key roles in the film.

Director of photography is Ruben dela Cruz, line producer is Celso de Guzman, and creative consultant is Bing Lao.

Bakal Boys is the first full-length venture of Apogee Productions under Albert Almendralejo, in cooperation with the National Commission on Culture and Arts.

Almendralejo's graduate thesis for his AIM Masters in Management degree is on Strategic Directions for the Philippine movie industry. He believes that a new business model that combines the best of mainstream and independent filmmaking is needed for the Filipino industry to survive.

"The discipline and business orientation of mainstream movies make a good synergy," asserts Almendralejo.

Bakal Boys (Children Metal Divers) is scheduled to premiere at the Main Theater of the Cultural Center of the Philippines this November.