Bong Revilla recreates the impossible
HE first did what nobody thought was possible when he teamed up with comedy royalty Vic Sotto in the 2010 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) blockbuster Si Agimat at si Enteng Kabisote, a movie that broke box-office records as it grossed P31 million on opening day and reached P140 million total.

This year, Sen. Ramon Bong Revilla Jr. scores an even bigger casting coup as he not only co-stars with Vic but also with multi-awarded actress Judy Ann Santos in the powerhouse sequel Si Agimat, Si Enteng Kabisote, at Si Ako.

But far from just banking on big names and trumping the notion that the biggest stars of the entertainment industry can’t possibly work together, the story of Si Agimat, si Enteng Kabisote at si Ako is something that Bong is proud of, given its high entertainment value and the positive messages it imparts that will surely last beyond the holiday season.

The story begins with the establishment of the three different worlds, bound to meet for an adventure like no other—the humble family-oriented Enteng Kabisote (Vic Sotto); a low-profile technician married to the beautiful Fairy Princess of Engkantasya, Faye (Gwen Zamora); Agimat (Ramon “Bong” Revilla, Jr.), the brave village warrior hero of Amuleto; and the high tech-yuppie Kingdom of Diwatara ruled by Princess Angelina Kalinisan Orteza (Judy Ann Santos) also known as AKO, where she leads an environmental advocacy group.

From an eligible bachelor, Agimat now tries to apply everything he has learned from Enteng and Faye as he himself tries to start his own family with wife, also an Amuleto warrior, Samara (Sam Pinto). The fun levels up as Aiza Seguerra brings Angelina and her comic modern Fairy sidekicks Pink Kapre Che (John Lapus), Winged Horse Sol (Yassi Pressman) and computer-wiz dwarf Chichay (Ryzza Mae Dizon), into the lives of the Kabisote’s and the Amuleto couple.

But as the fun triples, so does the adventure and thrills as the leaders are confronted with high-tech villains from out of their worlds: Cannibal tribes of the Tokatoks and alien monsters.

As expected of the fantasy films that Bong is known for, the movie costs a fortune to make as the production spared no expense in choosing the most spectacular locations in the Northern part of the Philippines; used dedicated sound stages during the entire filming and had its CGI effects done abroad.

No wonder it has taken no less than five filmmaking giants—OctoArts Films, M-Zet TV, APT Entertainment, GMA Films and Bong’s very own Imus Productions—to bring to the movie to life.

When asked why he spends so much on his films and takes such a big risk, Bong said; “For the children. Christmas is for children, and we just want to give them and their families something to always smile about.”

Si Agimat, Si Enteng Kabisote at Si Ako opens in theaters nationwide on December 25.

* * *

Has Vic Sotto grown tired of box office hits?
For years, Vic Sotto has ruled the box office of the Metro Manila Film Festival with his Enteng Kabisote series.

But the ace comedian states that when the MMFF commences on December 25, his immediate concern is not rake in the highest box office receipts but for the success of the entire film festival.

It is not surprising if Vic is always asked about his films’ grosses every year as his entries earn more than P100 million and always belong to the top three top grossers of the MMFF.

“It doesn’t really matter who becomes no. 1 or no. 2, ang importante yung tagumpay ng festival sa pangkalahatan. Kasi kung kami nga no. 1 tapos yung iba mahihina, hindi rin maganda sa industriya. Importante dapat lumakas lahat,” said Vic.

His 2012 MMFF entry, Si Agimat, Si Enteng Kabisote at Ako is the sequel to Si Agimat at Si Enteng Kabisote that grossed more than P150 million. Vic’s successful tandem with Sen. Bong Revilla Jr. spawned the said sequel with the addition of Judy Ann Santos—another box office Queen of her own right.

Their triumvirate goes up against another box office trio in Kris Aquino, Ai Ai delas Alas and Vice Ganda who teams up for the movie Sisterakas.

Does he feel the pressure?

“I don’t consider it as pressure,” expressed Vic regarding his entry’s bid of becoming the festival’s highest earner. “It’s more of being excited . . . maraming natuwa sa amin noon. Ngayon kasama namin si Juday so triple ang dami ng matutuwa ngayon dahil three-in-one. Tatlo ang mapapanuod nila.”

The sequel once again will have the worlds of Agimat (Amuleto), Enten (Earth) and Engkantasya come together to work for the common good. But this time around, The Kingdom of Diwatara headed by the warrior princess Angelina Kalinisan Orteza played by Judy Ann also comes to their aid against the Tokatoks, monsters and even aliens.

The addition of Judy Ann’s character also adds another value that the film would share with moviegoers - love and care for nature and the environment.

“Gustong naming ipaabot sa mga tao na importante ang pangangalaga ng kalikasan, hindi lang sa para sa atin pero para lalo sa mga susunod na henerasyon. Yung scope ngayon ng movie is mas malaki at mas maraming iikutan ang storya. Mas relevant din siya sa ating lipunan kase hindi ito puro pagpapatawa or action lang,” explained Vic.

Si Agimat, Si Enteng Kabisote at Si Ako is produced by Imus Productions, Octo-Arts Films, M-Zet TV, APT Entertainment and GMA Films. It is directed by Tony Reyes.