In a recent art exhibit, we bumped into Marlon Bautista, elder brother of actor-politician Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla, Jr. and he asked us the current state of the local film industry from the point of view of an observer and an entertainment journalist.
We told him the Star Cinema movie “Rewind” was the biggest earner in 2024.
It was also included and discussed in my recent report for the “Made in Asia” book for the 28th Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival (BiFan), the largest genre film event in Asia and the Pacific, annually held in South Korea.
The book has still yet to come out in July in time for the 2024 BiFan.
“Made in Asia” analyzes the yearly market trends in all Asian producing nations and in 2023, “Rewind” which starred real life couple Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera made the highest unprecedented box-office records in the history of Philippine cinema in 2024.
As a matter of fact, the film which was co-produced by Star Cinema, APT Entertainment and AgostoDos Productions, has overtaken the local and international cash registry records of all local films shown in the past years including another Star Cinema, starrer, “Hello, Love, Goodbye” which featured Alden Richards and Kathryn Bernardo.
Marlon was also impressed by the results of the film project in last year’s Metro Manila Film Festival.
“Gagawa rin kami (We will also do a film) for the 2024 MMFF,” said Bautista (a native of Bacoor and Imus towns in Cavite Province, a member of the CALABARZON geo-political region) of Imus Productions, one of the major movie companies in the Philippines.
“Gusto namin, (We want a) Bong Revilla at Sharon Cuneta),” disclosed Marlon.
“We want to reteam Bong Revilla and Sharon Cuneta up for 2024 MMFF”-Marlon Bautista
Although the project has yet to be finalized and officialized, Bautista is counting on the box-office appeal of Revilla and Cuneta.
Sharon had a 2023 MMFF entry, “Family of Two,” a Cineko Productions she paired with Alden Richards.
The movie also made considerable merits in both box-office and critical acclaim.
Although it wasn’t the top-grosser, “Family of Two” was always on Top Five of the overall gross of the ten entries.
The way he opened up about the Bong-Sharon tandem, Marlon was optimistic the dream project would be realized.
If in the pipeline, it would be the second time around that Revilla and Cuneta will collaborate on the big screen since 1992.
Youth bands to perform in Kawit Independence Day—main title
Photo Caption: Emilio Aguinaldo Shrine (Photo Credit: Darwin Dalisay/Facebook)
As early as April, Joel Macanaya, one of the founding members of the singing group Rainmakers, has been meeting up with the top brass of the Aguinaldo Shrine in Kawit, Cavite for the 126th Independence Day of the Philippines.
According to Joel, his JMJM Productions is organizing an Independence Day show right in the Emilio Aguinaldo Shrine in Kawit, Cavite.
Macanaya said that a good number of musicians will contribute to the colorful and historical celebration to commemorate Philippine independence.
“My production will provide performers to enliven and make our Independence Day more memorable,” said Joel.
What is unusual is that Macanaya’s group, Rainmakers, isn’t part of the show.
“Iba ang mga (We have different) performers namin,” stressed Joel.
Among the singers and bands to hold a gig on June 12, 2024 at the Shrine are 6Cyclemind, Moonstars, Imago, among others.
“We need to perk up the audience with the music,” said Macanaya.
Joel is a graduate of the UST Faculty of Arts and Letters in 1974 where he took up Bachelor of Arts.
When the batch held their Golden Jubilee last February at the Manila Hotel, it was Macanaya who organized the whole production.
#WeTakeAStand #OpinYon #MMFF #SharonCuneta #BongRevilla