Just a thought: The object of a New Year is not that we should have a new year. It is that we should have a new soul. – G. K. Chesterton
MANILA, Philippines — Looking Up And Forward: If the throngs of people crowding and creating long lines to mall cinemas on Dec. 25 and 26 are any indication, there’s no escaping that Filipino movies are back in business – with a big bang.
The very strong performance at the box office of majority of the seven entries to the 37th Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) can only mean that things are looking up in the local movie industry. The first-day gross of the MMFF on Dec. 25, amounting to roughly P117.38 million spread out among seven films, is a cause for industry-wide celebration. It is said to be 20 percent higher than the opening day gross of the same filmfest in 2010.
Should the trend continue until the close of the MMFF on January 7, 2012, the filmfest executive committee is sure to hit its target gross of P600 million this year. The amount is P60 million higher than the 2010 gross of P540 million.
Same Movies, Same Formula: Filipino audiences seem to prefer a template for the movies that they patronize. They want them familiar, the stars well known to them in roles that they had played several times before.
This explains why year after year, they never tire of watching Vic Sotto playing Enteng Kabisote, Ai Ai de las Alas as the Tanging Ina, Bong Revilla as Panday. Put Enteng and Tanging Ina together and what do you get?
The festival top grosser, but of course! “Enteng ng Ina Mo” has reportedly made over P69M as of December 26. Closely following at No. 2 is “Ang Panday 2” with P38M, and “Segunda Mano,” P35M.
The overwhelming success of Enteng-Ina puts Vic Sotto in the center of the center of superstar casting. Last year, he paired off with Bong Revilla in “Si Agimat at si Enteng Kabisote,” which was also the top grosser then. Heaven knows what Vic’s next combination shall be.
“My Househusband” is at No. 4 with P30M.
Over-all, every producer is happy at the festival turnout. Lily Monteverde is ecstatic that while her two entries clocked in at No. 5 (“Shake, Rattle & Roll-13,” P22.9M) and 6 (“Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow,” P18M), their box office take can be considered remarkable. Ms. Monteverde says she is now all the more inspired to produce more movies in 2012.
GMA’S bet for 2012: As if in tune with the new energy being felt in the movie industry, the future looks bright for up and coming leading man Alden Richards.
His home network, GMA, has big plans for the young actor, who debuted on “Tween Hearts,” both the TV series and the movie, was recently seen in an off-beat role in “The Road,” and is currently on screen via “Ang Panday 2.”
Alden, who was discovered through a series of TV commercials, forged a loveteam with Louise de los Reyes in the drama-fantasy series, “Alakdana.”
(nescuar@yahoo.com)
