Jasmine Curtis-Smith and Royce Cabrera revive ‘Endo’ with a 2026 twist

From award-winning indie film to live theater, “Endo,” starring Jasmine Curtis-Smith and Royce Cabrera, reimagines a story of ordinary Filipinos navigating extraordinary challenges.

Jasmine Curtis-Smith and Royce Cabrera are leading the theater adaptation of the 2007 Cinemalaya film “Endo.” The play brings the story into 2026, giving it a modern perspective while keeping the original characters and plot.

“Ang isa sa kakaiba dito sa play ay present time yung setting namin,” said Royce. “Kumbaga, from 2007, nasa 2026 “Endo” story na tayo. May ilang tweaks din na ginawa dito sa play na wala sa mismong film. Same characters, same path ng mga characters, pero iba ang execution sa play. And this is live, so karga-karga namin lahat from start to finish.”

Jasmine deliberately avoided watching the original film. “I haven’t seen the film yet. It was recommended not to watch it so we could bring our own interpretation to the theater adaptation,” she told radar Entertainment.

Jasmine has won multiple awards, including Best Supporting Actress at the 9th Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival for “Transit,” as well as honors at the Metro Manila Film Festival (2017) and the 41st Gawad Urian for “Siargao.”

Royce, known for his role in the 2019 LGBT film “Fuccbois,” said his character Leo’s main objectives remain the same. “Doon pa rin iikot ang buhay ni Leo kay Tanya—his work, family, and personal dreams—which will create conflict.” Meanwhile, Candy, a figure from Leo’s past, complicates the path he and Tanya must navigate.

Love at the center

Like any story about ordinary lives, love is a key motivator. Royce explained, “Yes, love ni Leo si Tanya, but hindi enough ang salitang love mo lang sa isang tao. It comes with all the challenges na kailangan n’yo harapin as partners or as a team. ‘Yong journey ni Leo and Tanya when it comes to love ang makikita natin dito sa play.”

Jasmine added, “Yes, she does. She imagines a life with him. She’s always honest. But she loves herself and her future just as much.”

The story behind ‘Endo’

The film, directed by Jade Castro, followed Leo, a young man forced to take on a series of short-term jobs to support his family after being unable to finish school. Each job lasted less than six months—a common practice in the Philippines known as “endo” or end-of-contract employment—which allows companies to avoid regularizing employees and providing benefits such as paid leave, 13th-month pay, and social security.

For workers, this creates severe job insecurity, financial instability, and exploitation, affecting an estimated 27 to 45 percent of employees. Leo’s story also explores how love can offer a sense of security amid instability, particularly in his relationship with Tanya.