WHAT do international boxing champ Manny Pacquiao and Jericho Rosales have in common?
They are products of the masses, both achievers who aimed high and hit the mark.
“I’d say nakari-relate ako sa nakaraan ni Manny, the hardships he went through bago narating ang kinalalagyan ngayon.
“Like him, who had to sell bread, specifically doughnuts baked by his mother, ako rin ay katu-katulong dati ng nanay ko sa palengke (Concepcion Market) sa pagtitinda ng isda.
“Ako ang gumagawa if a customer wants na kaliskisan ang biniling isda at pira-pirasuhin ito,” kwento ni Jericho.”
The actor plays Manny in the latter’s filmbio. Did you know that they are also of the same age, 25?
“Bago ako nagsimulang mag-shooting for the movie, Manny and I talked. Ikinuwento niya sa akin ang buhay niya. Tapos, tinuruan niya ako ng diskarte sa pagbu-boksing.
“Oh, I love the role!” patuloy pa ni Jericho. “And I just admire Manny. I cannot imagine kung paano niya tinatanggap ang masasakit na suntok ng kalaban. Pero sabi nga niya, it’s a job. And he has to do it.”
Playing the role of Jinkee, Manny’s wife, is Bea Alonzo. It’s their first team-up. Bea had been John Lloyd Cruz’s perennial screen partner while Jericho is identified with Kristine Hermosa.
“Maituturing namin pareho ni Bea na first mature movie itong Pacquiao. Mantakin mo, we have two sons sa pelikula? At least, I’m 25 na. Eh, si Bea, 18 lang.
“But I admire her, lalo na the way she adapted to her role in the movie. I’m glad siya ang kapareha ko,” patuloy pa ni Jericho.
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Directing Pacquiao is Joel Lamangan, considered one of the more in-demand directors today.
Direk Joel promises to give the film a human touch, much like the way Hollywood movies of similar genre (Raging Ball with Robert de Niro, Cinderella Man with Russel Crowe, etc.) do.
“Maraming highlight ang pelikula tungkol sa mga pribadong nangyayari sa buhay ni Manny, na tiyak ikata-touch ng manonood.
“Halimbawa, his relationship with his mom (played by Jaclyn Jose). Ang relasyon niya with his wife, Jinkee (Bea) and their two sons.
“Meron din kung anong klase siyang tao sa mga kapatid at kababayan sa GenSan.
“Sabi ko nga kay Manny,” pahayag pa ni direk Joel. “This movie will make people love and idolize him even more.”
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Mrs. Rose Flaminiano whose film outfit FLT Films is co-producing Pacquiao with Star Cinema, said hindi siya nagtipid to make the movie as authentic as possible.
Ang mga eksenang dapat kunan sa GenSan ay doon kinunan. The entire cast and crew also went to Las Vegas para sa eksenang nakikipaglaban si Manny sa Mexican boxer na si Eric Morales.
May mga eksena ring kinunan sa California where Manny owns an apartment at doon nagpapahinga tuwing may laban.
Maging ang isinusuot ni Manny sa kanyang laban, lalo ’yung kay Morales, ay buong puso nitong ipinagamit kay Jericho.
“Kaya nga sabi ko kay Manny, buong aura mo na yata ang nakuha ko,” ani Jericho.
