Pacquiao is new FPJ

Author: Eugene Asis

NUEVA ECIJA—A lot of people are said to be against Manny Pacquiao plunging into the movies. Mostly, they are afraid that showbiz might adversely affect his boxing career, his highest source of income.

But it seems Manny is a born entertainer. Even when he is in the ring, his fans may not be aware but they are absorbed by his innate acting talent. His moves are quite cinematic, especially his footworks and the way he throws his punches.

Watching his fights is more exciting than spending time with Rocky movies.

Soon, he will have his own show for GMA7. But now, Manny is deadset on making his first Metro Manila Film Festival outing, "Anak ng Kumander" a far cry from the inane comedy-action-dramas he did in the past.

And the story, from what we learned from its director-writer, Jose Kaka Balagtas, looks as if it were made for somebody like the late Fernando Poe, Jr. A teaser of the movie which is now seen in theaters reminds viewers a lot of the scenes Da King used to do.

"Hindi lang talaga sa paggawa ng pelikula maihahalintulad si Manny kay Da King," shares Direk Kaka on the set of the movie at Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija. "In fact, lahat ng mga kasama sa pelikulang ito ang nagsasabing siya na talaga ang bagong FPJ. "

Some quarters may raise hell, but the truth about what Manny is doing now can erase doubts about the director's pronouncement. The big cast that "Anak ng Kumander" employs can explain what the director meant by saying that. Manny's own MP Productions is producing the movie. "Libu-libo ang cast ng pelikulang ito, including the extras. Sa panahon ngayon na halos wala nang gumagawa ng pelikula, at nawalan ng trabaho ang mga taong ito, ang pagbibigay ni Manny ng pagkakataon sa kanila ay napakalaking bagay na," Direk further explains. "Hindi tinipid ang bayad sa kanila. Pati sa pagkain. Ang gusto lang talaga ni Manny, makatulong sa kanila. "

But more than Manny's aim to help displaced movie workers, Direk Kaka sees to it that they are making a movie worth the viewers' money, and the critics' nod, as well.

"Anak ng Kumander," which also stars Ara Mina, Roi Vinzon, Dante Rivero, Perla Bautista, Valerie Concepcion, Long Mejia, Roldan Aquino, Efren Reyes, among others, is replete with scenes which shall awaken the senses, exploring the lives of people who are torn between political upheavals and normal life.

It is for this reason that Manny, if possible, doesn't want to get entangled with nasty rumors. He is a man of few words, but when he talks, he is full of wisdom and sense of humor.

"Wala namang magagawang maganda ang mga tsismis na 'yan," Direk Kaka explains.

Very FPJ, indeed.

Source: People's Journal