For absence in MMFF parade, Manny Pacquiao faces P150K fine

Bong Godinez

Wednesday, December 26, 2007
05:05 PM

Even a world-renowned athlete like Manny Pacquiao has to face the sad consequence of his actions.

 

For failing to show up last December 24 at the annual Parade of Stars to signify the start of the 33^rd Metro Manila Film Festival [MMFF] for 2007, Manny would most likely be held liable to pay the hefty penalty imposed by the MMFF board's ground rules.

 

As reported by PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) yesterday, December 25, the popular Pinoy boxer-turned-part-time actor was a no-show on the float of his movie entry, Anak ng Kumander.

 

According to Section XIV [Incentives and Penalties] of the Rules and Regulations of the MMFF, failure by a producer to provide a float as well as the absence of the lead actora/actresses and supporting performers during the parade will merit a penalty of P150,000.

 

COMMITMENT OVERLOAD. PEP had the chance to ask Anak ng Kumander director, Jose "Kaka" Balagtas, after the parade last December 24 on Manny's whereabouts.

 

"Gustong-gusto niyang um-attend," replied Direk Kaka backstage during the public presentation of the stars at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila, "kaya nga niya ‘to [Anak ng Kumander] ginawa kasi gusto niyang mabuhay ang pelikulang Pilipino."

 

According to the veteran director, Manny had a prior commitment, thus making it impossible for him to join leading lady Ara Mina, as well as the entire entourage for the special occasion. Direk Kaka, however, was quick to defend his lead star against possible negative comments about the apparent snub. He revealed that Manny called him through mobile phone while the parade was ongoing.

 

"Nawala ‘yong contact ko din sa kanya kanina," he said while scratching his head. "Sabi ko naman, 'eto masaya naman ‘yong mga tao. Ang dami-daming tao. Nakailang film festival na ako, pero dito ang pinakamaraming taong nakita ko at alam ko isa ka [Manny] sa pinaka-aabangan dito," he reportedly told Manny before the line was cut off.

 

Speaking in behalf of Manny, he said: "'Yong puso niya as producer at aktor ay nandito sa atin. Wala man siya, nandito kami. Sabi niya ‘kayo nang kumatawan sa akin.'"

 

THE KISS. Aside from Manny, co-star Valerie Concepcion was also absent during the parade. But unlike Manny, the young star's decision to skip the event was already made known a week before December 24.

 

"Napag-usapan na rin kasi because of all the issue and everything, parang we decided na nga ganoon. My manager told me not to go na," Valerie revealed to PEP last December 12 at the taping of ABS-CBN's Christmas Special held at the Meralco Theater.

 

Valerie's action, as decided by her manager, Becky Aguila, had something to do with their reported fall out with Kaka after the director allegedly asked Valerie to have a "torrid" kissing scene with Manny—in complete violation of the agreement Becky supposedly had with the director concerning her ward's limitations.

 

To appease Becky, the "kiss" was reportedly deleted from the film's final edit. Direk Kaka defended the scene by saying that there's nothing offensive about it as the execution was done in great taste.

 

"Napakaganda nung kissing scene sana," Direk Kaka reflected with apparent regret. "Ang problema inaangal ni Becky Aguila. E, hindi naman ‘yon yung ibinibenta natin, tinanggal ko na lang para wala nang pinag-uusapan."

 

He also confirmed the news that Becky viewed the kissing scene as detrimental to Valerie's wholesome image, something that the director quickly botched.

 

"Ang tingin niya [Becky] ginamit ko si Valerie. Ang tingin niya nakakasira kay Valerie dahil daw ‘yong image ni Valerie, e, wholesome," he recalled before arguing," Sa aking tingin, hindi ito makakasira sa kanya, makakatulong pa sa kanya. Itong konting halikan na ‘to, makakasira sa career niya? Never."

 

So, was he slighted by Valerie's firm decision to miss the parade?

 

"Wala rin," he smiled. "Okay lang. Nothing. Hindi ko naman daramdamin."

 

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