Unitel Straight Shooters
Corporate brand
UnclaimedUnitel Straight Shooters, formerly Unitel Pictures, is a Philippine independent film production and distribution company.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Unitel Straight Shooters, also known as UXS and formerly Unitel Pictures, is a Philippine independent film production and distribution company founded by producer Tony Gloria. The business traces its origins to 1988, when Gloria established a film-production operation after leaving executive and supervisory roles at Viva Films and its subsidiary Falcon Films. The company initially operated as a line-production and film-production venture, while Gloria also developed Filmstar, a separate company associated with commercially successful films including Joey de Leon vehicles such as Elvis and James and Barbi for President. Filmstar closed in 1993, after which Gloria concentrated primarily on television commercials before developing Unitel into a more active film enterprise. Unitel’s first feature-film production, American Adobo, was made in 2001 in partnership with Star Cinema. The company expanded its role in 2003, beginning to produce and distribute films under its own banner. Its filmography subsequently included critically recognized and award-winning Philippine productions such as Crying Ladies, Santa Santita, La Visa Loca, Inang Yaya, and Pinoy/Blonde, the latter marking Peque Gallaga’s return to directing. These releases established Unitel as an independent producer with a portfolio spanning comedy, drama, family-oriented stories, and socially or culturally rooted Philippine narratives. The company also became involved in film-rights management and release advocacy. In 2004, its film Imelda faced a temporary cinema ban in the Philippines after Imelda Marcos sought an injunction from the Makati Regional Trial Court. Unitel petitioned against the restriction, and the ban was subsequently canceled. The film later received an international theatrical release and was reported as a major commercial success in the Philippines. In 2005, Unitel acquired worldwide rights to Cavite, a Filipino-American thriller, extending its activities beyond producing locally originated titles to international distribution and rights exploitation. Unitel’s corporate scope broadened in 2010 when MediaQuest Holdings acquired a 30 percent stake in Unitel Group. The relationship supported diversification into television production, including the series Inday Wanda, which starred Eugene Domingo. Unitel and MediaQuest also participated in film co-productions such as I Do Bidoo Bidoo: Heto nAPO Sila! and Maledicto. In 2016, the two organizations launched CineFilipino, an annual independent-film festival intended to provide a platform for Philippine filmmakers and locally produced independent cinema. The company continued to participate in television and film projects in the 2020s. In 2024, Unitel co-produced the Eat Bulaga! Lenten Special with TVJ Productions. That same year, the film-production operation returned to prominence with Mujigae under the refreshed name Unitel Straight Shooters, or UXS. The renaming distinguishes the current identity from the earlier Unitel Pictures label while retaining the company’s connection to Philippine independent film production. Available reference material does not establish a separate legal entity, current executive roster, exact headquarters address, official website URL, or detailed ownership structure beyond the reported MediaQuest stake in Unitel Group.
History
Unitel Straight Shooters originated in the Philippine film industry in 1988, when Tony Gloria established a production operation after working at Viva Films and Falcon Films. Gloria had served as Viva Films’ supervising producer from the company’s beginnings through 1987 and then became executive producer of Falcon Films. His independent activities initially included Filmstar, which released several commercially successful films before closing in 1993. Gloria subsequently focused on television commercials while continuing to develop Unitel’s production capabilities. Unitel’s first feature was American Adobo, co-produced with Star Cinema and released in 2001. From 2003, the company began producing and distributing films directly. Its subsequent output included Crying Ladies, Santa Santita, La Visa Loca, Inang Yaya, and Pinoy/Blonde. These projects gave Unitel a profile in Philippine independent and commercially oriented cinema, with productions that received critical attention and awards recognition. The company became particularly visible through the release of Imelda in 2004. A temporary restriction on the film’s Philippine cinema exhibition was sought by Imelda Marcos through the Makati Regional Trial Court. Unitel challenged the restriction, and the ban was canceled. The film later received worldwide theatrical distribution and was reported to have performed strongly in the Philippines. In 2005, Unitel expanded its rights business by acquiring worldwide rights to Cavite, a Filipino-American thriller. A major corporate development occurred in 2010, when MediaQuest Holdings acquired a 30 percent stake in Unitel Group. The alliance supported Unitel’s entry into television production, including the series Inday Wanda. The companies later participated in film co-productions, including I Do Bidoo Bidoo: Heto nAPO Sila! in 2012 and Maledicto in 2019. In 2016, Unitel and MediaQuest launched CineFilipino, an annual independent-film festival. Unitel remained active across film and television projects in 2024, co-producing the Eat Bulaga! Lenten Special with TVJ Productions. The company also reintroduced its film identity as Unitel Straight Shooters, abbreviated UXS, alongside Mujigae. The available reference material describes the organization as active but does not provide a complete current management roster, a confirmed standalone legal structure, or an official website URL.
- 2024
The UXS identity is introduced
[1]Unitel Pictures returned under the Unitel Straight Shooters or UXS name in connection with Mujigae.
- 2016
CineFilipino is launched
[1]Unitel and MediaQuest established an annual independent-film festival.
- 2010
MediaQuest acquires a stake in Unitel Group
[1]MediaQuest Holdings acquired a reported 30 percent interest and formed an alliance with Unitel.
- 2005
Worldwide rights acquisition for Cavite
[1]Unitel acquired worldwide rights to the Filipino-American thriller Cavite.
- 2004
Imelda restriction is overturned
[1]Unitel successfully petitioned against a temporary Philippine cinema ban affecting Imelda.
- 2003
Unitel enters direct film production and distribution
[1]The company began producing and distributing its own films.
- 2001
American Adobo becomes the maiden film
[1]Unitel co-produced American Adobo with Star Cinema, marking its first feature-film production.
- 1988
Tony Gloria establishes the production operation
[1]Tony Gloria founded the company as a line-production and film-production venture after leaving Viva Films-related positions.
Products and positioning
A Philippine independent film and television production company focused on locally rooted feature films, co-productions, distribution, rights management, and platforms for independent Filipino cinema.
Feature film · 2001
American Adobo
The company’s maiden feature-film production, made in 2001 with Star Cinema. It marked Unitel’s transition from line production into branded feature-film production.
Feature film
Crying Ladies
A critically recognized Unitel production and one of the films associated with the company’s early identity as an independent Philippine producer.
Feature film
Santa Santita
A Philippine feature produced by Unitel and cited among the company’s critically acclaimed and award-winning films.
Feature film
La Visa Loca
A Unitel feature included in the company’s recognized film output. Available reference material identifies it as part of the producer’s established Philippine film slate.
Feature film
Inang Yaya
A Philippine feature associated with Unitel’s award-recognized production portfolio.
Feature film
Pinoy/Blonde
A Unitel film noted for being Peque Gallaga’s directorial comeback. It forms part of the company’s prominent independent Philippine cinema catalog.
Feature film · 2004
Imelda
A Unitel-distributed film that became the subject of a temporary Philippine cinema restriction in 2004. Unitel challenged the restriction, which was later canceled, and the film was released internationally.
Independent-film festival · 2016
CineFilipino
An annual independent-film festival launched by Unitel and MediaQuest in 2016 to support and exhibit Philippine independent filmmaking.
Feature film · 2024
Mujigae
A 2024 film connected with the return of the company’s film-production operation under the Unitel Straight Shooters or UXS name.
Marketing campaigns
- 2016CineFilipino
Philippines
Unitel and MediaQuest launched an annual independent-film festival to create a dedicated platform for Philippine independent filmmakers and productions.
Outcome. The festival became an established annual initiative according to the available reference material; detailed editions and attendance data are not specified.
Brand decisions
2024
Rebrand from Unitel Pictures to Unitel Straight ShootersGeneration changeBackground
The company’s film operation returned to the market with a refreshed identity.
Action taken
Unitel Pictures adopted the Unitel Straight Shooters or UXS name in connection with Mujigae.
Aftermath
The rebrand established the current name used for the film-production operation.
2010
Strategic alliance with MediaQuest HoldingsM&ABackground
Unitel sought to expand its audiovisual business beyond feature films.
Action taken
MediaQuest Holdings acquired a reported 30 percent stake in Unitel Group, followed by collaboration in television and film.
Aftermath
The alliance supported Unitel’s television-production activities and later co-productions.
Equity stake. 30 percent held by MediaQuest Holdings (2010)
2005
Acquire worldwide rights to CaviteStrategyBackground
Unitel expanded beyond production into international rights ownership and distribution.
Action taken
The company acquired worldwide rights to the Filipino-American thriller Cavite.
Aftermath
The acquisition broadened Unitel’s role in international exploitation of Filipino-related film projects.
2004
Challenge to the Imelda cinema restrictionOtherBackground
Imelda was temporarily barred from Philippine cinemas after a court request by Imelda Marcos.
Action taken
Unitel filed a petition seeking reversal of the restriction.
Aftermath
The restriction was canceled, allowing the film to proceed to release.
2003
Move into direct film production and distributionStrategyBackground
After operating in line production and co-production, Unitel sought a more active role in controlling and commercializing its own film slate.
Action taken
The company began producing and distributing films directly.
Aftermath
The move was followed by a portfolio of critically recognized films and expanded distribution activity.
Sources1 sources
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