Actor turned producer Allen Dizon begs off from producing gay films, despite its popularity and reputation as a lucrative source of income.

"I have nothing against gay films but it's already 'a penny a dozen', so why jump into the bandwagon? This is why it took us some time to do the follow up to our initial project Paupahan. We want to be different. I want to do movies of respectable production values and socially-relevant themes, like Marino and Dukot: Desaparecidos, independent films in concept but mainstream in production values, stars and promotion," explains Allen, who was last seen in the Viva Films movie Baler.

This upcoming film will still have daring scenes and themes, which  he promised will be executed artistically to suit more young audiences, just like Paupahan.

After producing its first venture Paupahan, which was given a Grade of "B" by the Cinema Evaluation Board, Allen's ATD Entertainment Productions is now in the process of shooting two indie films. These are Marino, which is about the lives of seamen and the families they leave behind, and Dukot, which highlights extrajudicial killings and human rights violations.

Ateneo graduate and Cinemalaya alumnus Paul Sta. Ana directs Marino. Direk Paul helmed the 2008 Cinemalaya entry Huling Pasada. Meanwhile, Joel Lamangan directs from a script by Palanca awardee Bonifacio Ilagan.

"I first took up Marine Engineering at PMI [Philippine Maritime Institute]. Although I had only one semester of it, I learned a lot about the lives of seamen. Had I not pursued showbiz, I could have been a seaman myself," adds Allen.

Marino boasts another powerhouse cast:  Ara Mina, Allen Dizon and Krista Ranillo, who was given a plum role in Allen's first film Paupahan. Marino also stars Emilio Garcia; singer and Philippine Idol finalist Jan Nieto; hunk actor and former SOP Showboys member Marco Alcaraz, as well as Tanduay 2009 Image Model and Star Magic talent Bangs Garcia.

Reality show alumni from both networks are cast in this indie film. These are Pinoy Big Brother Celebrity Edition alumnus Victor Basa, StarStruck 2 Ultimate Survivor Mike Tan, and Pinoy Big Brother Season 1 alumnus Rico Barrera.

Co-starring are Jaja "Jaboom" Gonzales, Benjie Felipe, Holy Reyes, Nella Marie Dizon and Lui Manansala.

Marino shows the lives and loves of seamen, their heroism as OFWs and the effects of distance on them and their loved ones.  The movie aims students of maritime schools and marine groups in the country as its target audience.   

Jan Nieto sings the theme song "Bakit Kailangang Lumayo?" composed by singer-songwriter Ogie Alcasid.