On the Job (miniseries)

On the Job is a six-part Philippine miniseries created by Erik Matti and Michiko Yamamoto for HBO Asia Originals. It was adapted from the two On the Job films: the 2013 film and its sequel The Missing 8, both of which are directed by Matti. Additionally, the first two episodes are a re-edited and remastered version of the first film.[1]

On the Job
GenreNeo-noir
Political thriller
Conspiracy
Action
Created by
Based onOn the Job (2013 film) and On the Job: The Missing 8
by Erik Matti
Developed byErik Matti
Written by
  • Erik Matti
  • Michiko Yamamoto
Directed byErik Matti
Starring
Composers
  • Erwin Romulo
  • Malek Lopez
  • Arvin Nogueras
Country of originPhilippines
Original languageFilipino
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes6
Production
Executive producers
  • Ronald "Dondon" Monteverde
  • Erik Matti
  • Clement Schwebig
  • Magdalene Ew
  • Joe Caliro
  • Quark Henares
ProducerErik Matti
CinematographyFrancis Ricardo Buhay III (2 episodes)
Neil Derrick Bion (4 episodes)
EditorJay Halili
Camera setupSingle-camera
Running time45–63 minutes
Production companies
Original release
NetworkHBO Go
ReleaseSeptember 12 (2021-09-12) –
October 3, 2021 (2021-10-03)

It premiered on HBO Go on September 12, 2021.

Premise

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An official premise from HBO Go:

On The Job centers around crime syndicates that temporarily release contracted prison inmates to carry out political assassinations for those in power, except that the crime syndicates are run by politicians.[2]

Cast

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Main

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Recurring

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Introduced in On the Job (2013)
Introduced in The Missing 8 (2021)

Ricky Davao, William Martinez, Vandolph Quizon, Eric Fructuoso, and Ina Feleo are all cast in unspecified roles.

Production

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While The Missing 8 was initially planned to have an official theatrical release both domestically and internationally, continuous closures of movie theaters across the Philippines at that time amidst the COVID-19 pandemic has placed the film's distribution process in limbo. Director Erik Matti once said that he and his crew did consider splitting the film in two parts during post-production to reduce pacing issues and to ease local audiences' viewing experience once movie theaters in the Philippines re-open during the pandemic.[3] He also stated that they have the option of turning the film into a four-episode series and selling it to television distributors or streaming services should the film fail to secure a theatrical release.[3]

In August 2021, WarnerMedia Asia acquired the distribution rights to the sequel and the first film. Matti was then commissioned to re-edit the films into a six-part HBO Asia original miniseries; with this, he was able to recycle all unused and deleted scenes from the first film, creating a director's cut, which will be released as the first two episodes on its Asian subsidiary streaming service HBO Go.[4][5]

Release

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On the Job was released as HBO Asia original miniseries on its streaming service HBO Go. The first three episodes were released on September 12, 2021, with subsequent episodes released in Sundays till October 3, 2021.[6]

Episodes

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No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date
1"Tatang"Erik MattiStory by : Erik Matti
Teleplay by : Michiko Yamamoto & Erik Matti
September 12, 2021 (2021-09-12)
Prisoners Tatang and his protege Daniel are temporarily released from jail to carry out a series of assassinations for a powerful politician. Veteran cop Joaquin gets on the case, but his efforts are thwarted when young hotshot detective Francis steps in. The bickering law enforcers pick up the assassins’ trail and attempt to intercept them at their next target.[7]
2"Acosta"Erik MattiStory by : Erik Matti
Teleplay by : Michiko Yamamoto & Erik Matti
September 12, 2021 (2021-09-12)
As the hunt for the assassins continues, Joaquin stands firm on his duties as a cop while Francis faces immense pressure from his politician father-in-law and his powerful ally General Pacheco. Tatang reflects on the possibility of rebuilding his family and having a future outside the prison while Daniel, having gained the trust of their employers, starts getting his own missions.
3"Arnel"Erik MattiMichiko YamamotoSeptember 12, 2021 (2021-09-12)
Evidence about the conspiracy makes it all the way to the town of La Paz, where publisher Arnel Pangan’s newspaper is beleaguered because of his political beliefs, to the dismay of his editor, seasoned journalist, and staunch government supporter Sisoy Salas. The harassment soon escalates into a bloody incident.
4"Pedring"Erik MattiMichiko YamamotoSeptember 19, 2021 (2021-09-19)
Sisoy searches for his other missing colleagues, but his hopes of seeing them again diminish as the days go by. An eyewitness comes forward as the criminal syndicate quickly eliminates loose ends. In prison, Roman struggles with the messy internal politics of jail while hiding a key piece of evidence that Sisoy needs.
5"Roman"Erik MattiMichiko YamamotoSeptember 26, 2021 (2021-09-26)
Sisoy and Weng get a breakthrough in their investigation when they finally connect their colleague’s disappearance to powerful political figures. Roman receives a life sentence, pulling him even deeper into the gun-for-hire business. He is given another hit mission with his new cellmate, Popoy.
6"Sisoy"Erik MattiMichiko YamamotoOctober 3, 2021 (2021-10-03)
Sisoy and Roman help each other out in trying to get to the root of the killings. Amidst suspicions from his employers that he is ratting them out, Roman decides to fight for his own freedom. Sisoy executes a daring plan to expose political crimes, endangering his own family in the process.

Awards and nominations

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Year Award Category Nominee Result Ref.
2022 Asian Academy Creative Awards Best Actor in a Leading Role John Arcilla Nominated [8]
Best Direction (Fiction) Erik Matti Nominated
Best Drama Series On the Job Nominated
Best Screenplay Michiko Yamamoto Nominated
International Emmy Awards Best TV Movie or Miniseries On the Job Nominated [9]

References

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  1. ^ "The 'director's cut' of 'On The Job' to premiere as a series on HBO GO". Rappler. August 1, 2021. Retrieved September 13, 2021.
  2. ^ "HBO GO. It's HBO. Anywhere". HBO Go Asia. Philippines. Retrieved September 15, 2021.
  3. ^ a b Palumar, Khyne (February 24, 2021). "Director Erik Matti on the sequel to 'On The Job': "Yes, it's an angry movie"". NME. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
  4. ^ Brzeski, Patrick (September 1, 2021). "Venice: Philippine Director Erik Matti on the Humanism of Gangsters in 'On the Job 2: The Missing 8'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved September 2, 2021.
  5. ^ Ramachandran, Naman (July 28, 2021). "Venice Competition Philippines Title 'On The Job' Sets HBO GO Premiere in Asia, Reveals Trailer". Variety. Retrieved September 15, 2021.
  6. ^ Requintina, Robert (September 8, 2021). "HBO Asia Original crime thriller series 'On the Job' streams on HBO GO via SKY". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved September 13, 2021.
  7. ^ "Erik Matti's On The Job: Missing 8 Is Hitting HBO Go This September 12". NYLON MANILA. August 11, 2021. Retrieved September 15, 2021.
  8. ^ On the Job (TV Mini Series 2021) - IMDb, retrieved May 16, 2023
  9. ^ Purnell, Kristofer. "'On The Job' miniseries receives International Emmy nomination". Philstar.com. Retrieved November 11, 2022.