Dreams do come true. Even Hollywood dreams.
Indefatigable and hardworking filmmaker-producer Paul Soriano found this out after being introduced to the legendary actor Andy Garcia, by Soriano’s business partner Simon Heo.
After playing golf with the iconic Hollywood actor, reading Garcia’s script, and getting to know Garcia better, Soriano suddenly found himself producing his first Hollywood film, “Diamond,” with Garcia.
The 44-year-old boyish-looking film aficionado, who produced the Philippines’ latest Oscar entry, “Magellan,” revealed to us in an exclusive email interview how his friendship with Garcia started.
He narrated, “My business partner, Simon Heo, introduced me to Andy Garcia. I read Andy’s script Diamond, and I immediately fell in love with the story. Andy and I later played golf, during which time we really got to know each other—his passion for Diamond, his love for cinema, and life in general. We connected well, and I knew then that I wanted to produce this film with him.”
Coming from a showbiz family (his grandfather was actor Nestor de Villa, and his father is director Jeric Soriano), Paul admitted that “the camera has always felt like a part of the family.”
He said, “From my grandfather, who was an actor, to my father, who was a director, storytelling is something I grew up around. It naturally became something I wanted to pursue, and I feel blessed to be doing it now.
“I’m also very grateful for my supportive family and my wife (Toni Gonzaga), who is always by my side and supports everything I do—she is my greatest inspiration, along with our two children. I’m thankful that God continues to bless me with these surreal opportunities, and I’m excited to see where Diamond goes next.”
The American crime drama, which had its world premiere out of competition at this year’s Cannes Film Festival last May 19, is about Joe Diamond (Andy Garcia), who is a man haunted by his past and uses his exceptional wit and keen observation skills to uncover hidden truths and solve crimes in this contemporary noir tale.
Principal photography of the film began in October 2025 in Los Angeles on this passion project of Garcia, which he has been developing for almost 15 years.
Aside from Garcia, Hollywood A-listers included in the cast are Bill Murray, Dustin Hoffman, Demian Bichir, Brendan Fraser, Danny Huston, Rosemarie DeWitt, La Tanya Richardson Jackson, among others.
Soriano, who was born and raised in Los Angeles, California, sees it as a full circle to be filming in the City of Angels.
He admitted, “I’ve always wanted to produce and shoot a film in Los Angeles. It’s my hometown, where I was born. Filming in historic locations across downtown Los Angeles felt like a personal flashback—growing up here and, years later, fulfilling one of my biggest dreams of producing a film in the city. I consider it a true blessing.”
Soriano, who attended Santa Clara University, where he took up filmmaking, disclosed the lessons he learned from this journey.
He shared, “I’ve learned so much—this has been the greatest learning experience of my life. It’s been a dream come true and has renewed my passion for cinema and storytelling. More than anything, I’ve learned the importance of surrendering everything to God and trusting that He will make a way.
“There were many moments during production when I felt I couldn’t go on or execute what was needed, but every time I surrendered it to Him, a way was made. It has strengthened my faith and belief that with God, all things are possible, and it is because of Him that I’ve been able to produce a film of this caliber.”
Soriano, who won Best Director and Best Screenplay at the Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP) Awards for “Thelma” (2011), talked to us more about “Diamond,” this Hollywood dream come true.
Congratulations on producing your first Hollywood film Diamond. What is the significance of this for you personally and for Filipino producers?
If we put our heart and soul into it, we can tell any story we want. If you’re willing to work hard and stay passionate about filmmaking, you can work anywhere and bring any story to life. But it also requires patience, sacrifice, and hard work.
What made you get involved in this project?
I fell in love with the story—that’s where it all starts for me. If a story keeps me up at night and is the first thing I think about in the morning, then I know I have to find a way to bring it to life. That’s exactly what Diamond did to me, along with the opportunity to work with Hollywood legend Andy Garcia. Producing the film was a true masterclass.
How did you manage to find your other co-producers aside from Garcia?
I also had the opportunity to work with and learn from Jai Stefan, who is a producer of Diamond and previously worked on Martin Scorsese’s The Irishman. I gained a great deal from his experience and insight throughout the process.
What was the most challenging thing for you as a producer in this project?
Making films is extremely challenging. It can push you to the point where you almost lose yourself, but in the process, you also find yourself again—and that’s what makes it so exciting for me. Diamond was no different. No matter how difficult it was to make, I would do it all over again.
You have legendary actors involved in this project – Dustin Hoffman, Bill Murray, Damian Bichir, Danny Huston, Brendan Fraser and of course, Andy Garcia. Can you tell us some memorable anecdotes you’ve had while working with them?
I still can’t fully believe I had the opportunity to work with so many legends of cinema. Dustin Hoffman would call me the ‘young man’ on set. During one camera setup, I remember talking with him about his role as Captain Hook in Spielberg’s Hook, along with Ana Maria Quintana, who was the script continuity in that film. To be part of that conversation felt surreal.
When Andy first introduced me to Bill Murray, he immediately played it as if he had known me for years—acting like we had worked together before and asking how I’d been. At first, I was confused, but I later realized he was just playing a joke on me. He is just as funny off-screen as he is on screen.
Brendan Fraser was incredibly kind. He was quiet off camera, but we had meaningful conversations about life and cinema. He spoke about a film he shot in Japan, and he also loved photography, always carrying his Leica camera around his neck between takes.
You are having the world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival this year. Why did you choose to showcase it first in Cannes?
There is no better place for a world premiere than at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival. It is always an honor to be a part of it.
You have also produced other films before. How different is producing a Filipino film from a Hollywood film?
It’s really no different—every film comes with the same problems and challenges. If there is one difference, it’s the emphasis on preparation. We spent almost a year in pre-production before principal photography. It’s also highly technical, with a significant amount of paperwork and legal requirements that must be completed before production begins.
What do you dream of achieving in the next five years?
I just want to keep telling stories. I also want to continue directing and writing, while producing and learning from all kinds of filmmakers.
