BEFORE THE MANILA FILM FESTIVAL Film Festival entries were shown in 800 cinemas nationwide, I was already sure “Wapakman” would be a big box office hit.
And why not?
To start with, leading man Manny Pacquiao is the idol of the entire Filipino nation.
Second, I figured that moviegoers would by now—after all those scandalous talks linking him with Krista Ranillo—be curious yellow to see his co-star at close range.
Like “Ang Panday ” and “Shake, Rattle and Roll,” I also read somewhere that “Wapakman” made extensive use of special effects and added a touch of comedy to make people laugh, like the Vic Sotto starrer “Ang Darling Kong Aswang” and Dolphy’s “Nobody, Nobody But Juan.”
“How can such a movie with all the necessary ingredients go wrong? Pacquiao has box office appeal, the movie has special effects, a dash of humor, not to mention that magnetic quality generated by the intrigues and controversy surrounding the leading stars.”
That’s what I told Dexter Doria, a close kin who’s in the entertainment business.
“Wapakman” seemed to have a good chance to shine in this year’s MFF. Or so I thought.
* * *
A few days later, I got a rude awakening. I also realized how little I knew of the film industry.
Contrary to my expectations, “Wapakman” was dead last in the box office, grossing only P750,000 at the tills after the first day of showing.
The top grossers were “Ang Panday” (P16.9M), “Ang Darling Kong Aswang,” (P16.8M) and “Nobody, Nobody but Juan” (P16.8M).
At the PBA Press Corps Christmas party the other night, I asked a popular boxing scribe for his analysis on why the Pacman was such a flop as an actor.
He explained simply that the Filipinos only adore Pacquiao as a boxer and have not accepted him as an entertainer or maybe even as a politician.
The scribe said all the flicks he starred in had been flops, including the story of his life where Jericho Rosales played the starring role.
* * *
Still, I needed a lengthier, more convincing explanation. Dexter Doria gave me one based on economics.
“If a moviegoer only has P200 for the MFF, he’d choose to watch the best quality film. ‘Ang Panday’ is said to have the most impressive special effects, so most of the audiences watched it first. Those who have more than P200 for the MFF will watch the other films. I think ‘Wapakman’ will have a better rating in the days to come,” said Dexter.
“Don’t forget, lahat ng mga kalaban ni Manny dito sa Filmfest eh puro heavyweights—mga box office kings. There’s Vic Sotto, Dolphy, Bong Revilla, Sharon Cuneta. This is their turf, not Manny’s. Iba ang laban.”
No wonder Nueva Ecija Congressman Ed Joson and Nacionalista Party candidate Satur Ocampo are starting to get apprehensive about Pacquiao’s chances in the 2010 elections.
They feel that outside of the boxing ring, Pacquiao has no appeal.
* * *
Abap executive director Ed Picson confirmed a text message sent to me by Liezl de Luna, staff member of PSC chair Harry Angping who wrote:
“We read your column in PDI. Ma’am, we would like to inform you that it’s not true that the boxers were not allowed to use the quarters in the boxing gym. All the SEA Games-bound boxers and their sparring mates were accommodated in the new boxing dorm before and after the Laos SEA Games as requested by the Abap. They also informed us that those who will not go to Laos will return to Baguio after training.
“Sparmates were moved to the badminton dorm when the SEA Games athletes left.
“About the incentive, the Pl00K cash incentive from the PSC was given to the SEA Games gold medalists on Dec. 22, three days after the SEA Games. The incentive due from government will be given January, since the check will be received late today.”
