'Anak ng Kumander' might set a trend

Author: Remy Umerez
Column: A Little Bit

IT looked like Manny Pacquiao wanted to accomplish everything in one sitting.
Last Wednesday, he had a two o'clock presscon in connection with his future fights in 2008 held at Bar One at Crowne Plaza Hotel. Three hours later, he met the entertainment press for the promotions of his movie, "Anak ng Kumander" which he himself produced.

Before the presscon proper we talked briefly with Director Jose 'Kaka' Balagtas to inquire whether the element of sex is still present in the movie. The director said that the kissing scene between Manny Pacquiao and Ara Mina has been intact or retained. But the one between Manny and Valerie Concepcion had been deleted.

"Walang naging problema nang aming kunan ang kissing scene nina Valerie at Pacman until we learned na hindi daw ito nagustuhan ng manager ni Valerie dahil wholesome daw ang image ng kanyang alaga. Para wala na lang usapan, we took off the scene. Ang hindi ko lamang maintidihan eh we see a lot of kissing scenes between young stars of today sa mga teleserye sa telebisyon and no one is complaining that they are objectionable. Valerie plays the wife of Manny in 'Anak ng Kumander' at bihira silang magkita dahil sa bundok nakatira si Manny. Very justified na magkaroon sila ng kissing scene dahil they are a married couple. Lumaki ang isyu at lumihis nang lumihis sa tunay na tema ng pelikula. All these love angles are only incidental in the story dahil kapag napanood ninyo ang pelikula, it is not about kung sino ang magaling humalik. It is about a man's belief at kung ano ang higit na matimbang sa kanya�" dangal o pera," Kaka explains in a high voice.

How is Manny's performance, we asked the veteran director who is not a stranger to controversial issues.

"Naka-focus siya sa kanyang karakter. He listened to my instructions and he is very fast learner. At sobrang galing niyang mag-memorize.

"As a producer, he is very concerned with people in the industry who are out of jobs. Isa ito sa mga dahilan kung bakit niya ginustong mag-produce ng pelikula. "

What are we to expect from Manny in this movie?

"Naipakita ni Manny na hindi lamang sa pagsuntok siya maaasahan. There are many fight scenes in the movie at action star and dating ni Pacman bilang isang anak ng rebelde. "Anak ng kumander" might even set a trend sa muling pagkabuhay ng action films. "

On the same day, three hours later, Manny trooped to SM Megamall for the premiere night of his movie which opens on New Year's Day. "Anak ng Kumander" may not merit an A from the Cinema Evaluation Board but we heard from good authorities that it is an amazingly good movie.

SOLO STARRER FOR ALFRED
WHEN one talks of Kapuso heartthrobs, the following names are on the list: Richard Gutierrez, Dennis Trillo, Dingdong Dantes, Mark Herras and Alfred Vargas.

Mark and Alfred, however, have yet to be given solo starrers like "Mulawin" or "Zaido" but nevertheless, they have shown consistently high ratings.

In the ongoing "My Only Love," Mark, Rhian and Bianca King form a love triangle. Alfred is billed "in a very special role" since his character doesn't exist in the original story.

Both actors enjoy the admiration of their fans. Mark is the cute and wholesome type while Alfred is the hunk or beefcake type.

A MUST-SEE FILM
A MMFF entry that is family-oriented is "Bahay Kubo" which according to producer Mother Lily is dedicated to the entire family. The main character is Eden (played by Maricel Soriano) who keeps on adopting children even if she has a daughter of her own. "It is a movie full of heart, of emotions," says Mother Lily who considers the project as a Pinoy Mano Po.

Where there are tears of longing, there's also of laughter provided by Bearwin Meily and Eugene Domingo. Eugene is so effective in her sequences she is a sidekick to the Diamond Star.

"Bahay Kubo" is another must-see during the festival season.

Source: People's Journal