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Acomebacking Filipino-Chinese actor-producer. A new
father who continues to soar high in tights. And a former taekwondo
champion running for councilor. All these in today’s action-packed
column.
I admire Derick Dee for mustering
enough guts to initiate the comeback of Filipino action films on the
big screen. For many, many years now, Filipino action films have
been buried more than six feet under because of poor ticket sales
and high costs of production. Action stars have been sidelined and
many have chosen to either make a living by appearing on television
dramas or fantasy programs. Some have sought refuge in politics
where they will have more chances to make more money and
reinvigorate their sagging popularity.
Dee is back, and with a
vengeance. I had a sneak peak of his latest action flick Rumbleboy,
and I must say that it looks very promising. The effects are
impressive, the plots are simple and unpretentious, the stunts are
realistic and well-staged. He has a bombshell Penthouse model for a
leading lady and has hired the services of the comic duo Ariel and
Maverick as sidekicks. It is very obvious that Dee poured in a lot
of effort to make sure that both principal photography and
post-production are meticulously executed. Semi-retired action star
Ronnie Ricketts sits on the director’s chair for this film.
“ I am being very realistic
with this film, both as producer and actor. I am not saying that we
have achieved perfection and we claim to be at par with the best
that the Americans can offer, but we have made a big step toward
that direction, “ he says assertively. Dee is the top honcho
behind Apache films, and is not new to producing.
We made a little research and
found out that aside from some of his own action flicks, Dee was
also the producer behind Joel Lamangan’s Bakit May Kahapon Pa?
which won for superstar Nora Aunor the best actress plum at the
Cairo International Film Festival some years ago. “ I lost money
in that project. It was supposed to be a co-venture with Viva, but I
wasn’t given my share in calling the shots as producer, “ he
recalls with disappointment. But Dee kept the lessons he learned in
his heart and with Rumbleboy, he thinks he’s making some right
moves and putting these lessons into good practice.
I like how Dee stands on the
issue of film piracy. “I don’t think piracy is the main reason
why they say that the local film industry is near its death. I
believe that it’s quality that will dictate if people will go see
your movies or not. These big Hollywood films are also being
pirated, in fact, mas madami pa nga tayong nakikita na pirated
copies ng big foreign films, but why do they still make big money at
the box office? It’s simple: because they feed on what the
moviegoers want, and that is: a well-crafted and entertaining
film.”
Dee is so engrossed with his new
project that we didn’t even have to talk about his estranged wife
Melanie Marquez, who has taken on the parenting responsibility to
her and Dee’s two daughters now that she has remarried. “I’m
enjoying life, I see my daughters on special occasions, and I run my
businesses the way I see it fit. Of course, Rumbleboy is taking a
lot of my time but I’m really excited that I am taking action
filmmaking into a newer, higher level, not only for myself as
actor-producer, but hopefully, to inspire other producers to come
out form their hibernation and make movies again.
The man in tights is back
Toby Maguire is a new father and
he has put his tights back to play Spiderman once more. Six years
ago, Maguire accepted the role of Peter Parker and his alter ego
Spider-Man. Two blockbusters later and the pending release of this
film on May 1, Maguire reflects on the character that changed his
life.
“Creatively I think I’ve had
more room to contribute as Sam [Raimi, the film’s director ] has
gained trust in me and given me more of a voice in each successive
movie. This time, it’s becoming more interesting. When all seems
to be going well for Peter Parker, he develops an arrogance and he
starts to get a little too cocky and gets himself into a little bit
of trouble. Then he learns something about Flint Marko [Thomas Haden
Church] and he starts to feel anger and the desire for revenge.”
He adds, “I think this film is
a little funnier. But it’s also darker and we’re dealing with
issues of vengeance and pride and ego.”
In addition to mind-blowing
special effects and action, Spider-Man 3 also concentrates on the
characters, the story and the romance. To prepare for this comeback,
Maguire says he hies-off to the gym constantly. “But I am trying
to not go to such extremes. Before I’d prepare like a boxer trains
for a fight. You know, an intensive period beforehand and then after
the film, stop. I’m trying to find more balance where it’s not
so intense.”
As to future plans, Maguire
admits that he’s getting a little older and hopefully over the
next five years he’ll be able to make a transition into more adult
type of roles. “ I know that I look pretty young, so we’ll see
what’s out there. I’m looking forward to trying on more mature
roles.”
Monsour makes a bid in
politics
Former Olympian and ex-world
taekwondo champion Monsour del Rosario is running for councilor in
Makati’s first district. It had to take former senator Lito Lapid
to convince del Rosario to be part of his ticket because the
actor-athlete has turned down the previous offers of Edu Manzano and
Toro Yabut to run in Makati.
“I asked for a sign from God
and God sent a white butterfly the day I was planning to file for my
candidacy, “ he volunteers in an intimate conversation we had over
coffee. White butterflies have always been part of del Rosario’s
past big moves—the first time he competed internationally in
taekwondo and the first time he entered show business as an action
star.
Still looking as fit and athletic
as ever despite getting married and becoming a proud daddy, del
Rosario has already mapped out his plans: “ I’ll focus on the
youth, specifically through sports development. I plan to take
children off the streets and give them free martial-arts lessons.
I’d also like to do my share in prioritizing education, family
planning, waste management and creating livelihood programs for the
poor.”
Well, the first district of
Makati includes all the posh villages where rich kids live and they
attend classes in expensive international schools, and people who
can’t have babies fly to Singapore or the United States for
invitro-fertilization. I guess del Rosario is referring to the
mostly poor communities who comprise what many rich residents of
Makati call Binay country. I sincerely wish del Rosario the best and
hopefully, when he wins, he’ll give a lot of those traditional,
corrupt politicians in his city a big, hard kick in the butt.
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