The official trailer of Ang Panday, the upcoming movie of Bong Revilla, had some members of the press gaping in awe. "Parang Hollywood," was the common remark during the mini-press conference held this afternoon, November 12, at Dulcinea, Tomas Morato, Quezon City.

Bong was obviously pleased with the small crowd's reaction. Beaming with pride, he said that this film's edge over others is technology.

The Senator-actor-host related, "Yung panahon ngayon, high-tech na tayo, at mas mahabang ginawa itong Panday ngayon. Ito, one year in the making, e, talagang pinaganda natin dahil ayaw nating mapahiya dun sa unang lumikha ng Panday, yung tinitingala nating lahat, tribute na rin natin para sa kanya. So, talagang pinaganda natin, pinaghandaan, ginastusan, kumbaga, binuhos nating lahat for this movie."

Bong was obviously referring to the late King of Philippine Movies, Fernando Poe Jr.

But, of course, the movie's major come-on is still the story. The Kapuso star said, "Sinigurado namin na yung pelikula natin, even the story... Yung istorya, yung flow, kailangan buong-buo siya kaya kami naging metikuloso sa script. Iniiwasan namin na maganda ka lang sa visual, maganda ka lang sa effects, pero when it comes to the story telling, dun kumu-collapse, yun ang iniingatan natin. Makikita niyo ang difference nitong Panday."

The movie's theme is described by the action star as "mas adventure" with a love story on the side, but the thing to watch for is its special effects. The trailer's visual impact could actually be likened to Hollywood's Lord of the Rings and Eragon.

P70-MILLION FILM. Nearly everyone in the room couldn't help but be curious about the budget. The production cost, which will be a 50-50 split between GMA Films and Imus Productions, is now estimated at 70 million pesos.

Ms. Annette Gozon-Abrogar, president of GMA Films, said, "Malaking, malaking, malaking-malaki yung budget ng pelikulang ito. Kasi sa umpisa pa lang, yung set na ginamit, pati yung costume, and then pati yung mga pinasok for special effects, parang nung una dapat yung budget namin, parang 50-plus million lang. Pero dahil dun sa nakita naming sobrang ganda, 'tapos kailangan pa ng more time for special effects, more shooting days, umabot kami halos 70 million."

The shoot was finished four months ago, but post-production is still ongoing. Ms. Annette added, "Mabusisi talaga sila."

REMAKE OF A PINOY CLASSIC. Panday is a comics character created by Carlo J. Caparas. Two of its most popular characters are Flavio, which was played by the late FPJ, and his archenemy, Lizardo, portrayed by Max Alvarado.

To date, it already has nine versions and adaptations in the movies and on television. After the release of Panday IV: Ikaapat na Aklat—the last of the four films starred by FPJ—in 1984, Bong revived the character onscreen in 1993 with Ang Dugo ng Panday. Sixteen years later, he's on to the second series. What made this project different from the previous ones?

Bong replied, "Ang istorya na ito, sinimulan natin kung saan nagsimula si Lizardo. Sa mga previous Panday, hindi nila alam kung saan galing si Lizardo, alam nila ampon lang. Ito, the movie will tell kung saan siya talaga nagmula, kung saan siya nanggaling."

Ms. Annette continued, "May bagong characters na hindi nakita dun sa mga dating Panday... But of course, nandun yung mga hahanapin talaga ng mga Panday lovers, yung talagang sumubaybay ng Panday from before. Pero siyempre, yung mga bago ngayon—may bagong elements, may bagong character, bago yung journey, bago yung kuwento nila, so panibagong viewing ito of an old classic."

In addition, Panday here has a "medyo may kulay" na costume, a new friend named Bagwis, and a new star to play Lizardo—Phillip Salvador.

Bong Revilla narrated how his good friend became his co-star in the movie: