Experiencing Interruptions?

Last Shift

Joel and Romar met while working as call center agents and became partners. However, as the crisis escalates, Joel makes a decision that puts aside their shared dreams.

  • Ronjay-C Fernandez Mendiola
    Director
  • Ronjay-C Fernandez Mendiola
    Writer
  • Maricris Conde
    Producer
  • Jules Azaula
    Key Cast
    "Joel"
  • Vince Macapobre
    Key Cast
    "Romar"
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Genres:
    Drama, Romance
  • Runtime:
    20 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    February 23, 2024
  • Production Budget:
    100,000 PHP
  • Country of Origin:
    Philippines
  • Country of Filming:
    Philippines
  • Language:
    English, Tagalog
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    Yes - Polytechnic University of the Philippines
  • Digital Cinema Package:
    Unavailable
  • 1st Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival
    Quezon City
    Philippines
    March 13, 2024
    World Premiere
    Best Short Film
  • Montañosa Film Festival 2026 (Open-Air Cinema)
    Baguio City
    Philippines
    March 27, 2026
Director Biography - Ronjay-C Fernandez Mendiola

Ronjay Mendiola is an emerging Filipino filmmaker recognized for his socially resonant storytelling. He first gained acclaim with Last Shift (2024), a short drama about the sacrifices of call center agents balancing livelihood and personal aspirations. The film won Best Short at the Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival and was praised for its authenticity and empathy in portraying working-class struggles.

Following this success, Mendiola directed 4 Better or 4 Worse (2025), a short film exploring the struggles of the transgender community and the inaccessibility of trans healthcare in the Philippines. Selected as an official finalist at the Sine Kabataan Short Film Festival, the film broadens Mendiola’s scope as a storyteller, taking on themes of identity, dignity, and systemic barriers faced by marginalized groups.

Mendiola’s filmmaking is defined by a grounded, humanistic lens, whether illuminating the quiet perseverance of BPO workers or giving voice to the trans community’s fight for recognition and care. His collaborative style with cast and crew, alongside his ability to navigate logistical and creative challenges, underscores a commitment to craft and purpose.

With two impactful films already recognized on the festival circuit, Mendiola continues to build a body of work that blends social relevance with compelling narrative power.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

As a citizen who comes from a third world country, it is difficult to survive in a country with low wages and being made a well of cheap labor force by richer countries.

I thought of writing Last Shift to see the struggles of BPO workers in third world countries, how they budget their wages, how they sacrifice for their families, and how they survive their daily lives.

Last Shift tells the love story of Romar (Vince Macapobre) and Joel (Jules Azaula), two call center agents who work for a BPO company and struggle to sustain themselves and their families in the province due to low earnings. The plot focuses around how the two had to make sacrifices to maintain success that was not driven by their love.

The story revolves around Joel's last night at the BPO company they work for while looking back on the struggles he and Romar had when he decided to resign. Last shift is also a symbol of Filipino workers leaving their jobs due to contractualization, low wages, and benefits. In this story, Joel and Romar are victims of an oppressive system for workers so they had to sacrifice their relationship to enjoy the success that was not determined by their love.