During the thanksgiving party of When I Met U, PEP
(Philippine Entertainment Portal) was able to talk with GMA Films President
Annette Gozon-Abrogar as she revealed the movies that viewers can look forward
to this year.
She began by expressing her happiness over the fact that the romantic comedy
starring KC Concepcion and Richard Gutierrez has been doing very well in the
box-office. In fact, they revealed that When I Met U reached P80 million
in gross sales on its third week of showing.
"Actually we're very happy because sa
lahat ng mga Valentine movies na ginawa namin, ito yung highest grossing [film]
on Valentine's Day," says Ms. Annette. According to the producers, the
gross sales of When I Met U reached P25 million on February 14 alone.
Does that mean that When I Met U beat the previous Valentine movies of
Richard? He was paired with Angel Locsin in Let the Love Begin (2005), I
Will Always Love You (2006), The Promise (2007), and with Marian
Rivera (My Best Friend's Girlfriend (2008)?
"So far, yes, but because also this is
the first time na yung Valentine's Day namin nag-fall on a Saturday so may
additional [factor] yun. Maganda yung timing," explains the GMA Films
executive.
Is there a possibility of pairing KC
and Richard in a movie again in the future? "May possibility naman, sa showbiz
naman laging may possibility kahit na mahirap, we'll see."
Will there be
international screenings for When I Met U? "Yes, we've already shown the
film in some parts of the U.S., in Guam, tapos may mga inquiries kami for
Dubai, the Middle East, and Canada."
PLANS FOR 2009. PEP asked Ms. Annette what are the films that moviegoers
can expect from GMA Films this year.
Richard Gutierrez
will soon be seen on the big screen but they are still under negotiation so
they couldn't reveal the identity of Richard's new leading lady after KC
Concepcion.
"Iba na naman [na leading lady]. Yun naman yung equity ni Richard, kahit
kaninong leading lady malakas talaga yung mga movie, parang s'ya na yung
leading man talaga," observes Ms. Annette. "Kahit paiba-iba, lahat patok, so
yun yung maganda kay Richard."
As for their other
plans, Ms. Annette says that they will be producing films in the horror and
comedy genres.
"We're coming out with the horror movie on March 18, ito yung Sundo
with Robin Padilla, Rhian Ramos, Katrina Halili, and Sunshine Dizon.
"We also have plans for a movie with Michael V and Ogie Alcasid, that's with
APT Entertainment [the film arm of Television And Production Exponents Inc.
(TAPE)]." Television viewers are already familiar with the comic characters
portrayed by Michael V and Ogie in the GMA-7 gag show Bubble Gang.
Michael plays the infamous Yaya while Ogie plays the bratty child Angelina.
Ms. Annette also revealed that they are now preparing for the epic film Panday
the Movie. Senator Bong Revilla Jr. wants this film to be a tribute to the
late King of Philippine Movies, Fernando Poe Jr., who has starred in four
installments of Panday. This will also mark the second time that Bong will play the sword-carrying hero since he portrayed Flavio in the 1993 film Ang Dugo ng Panday.
"Ang Panday,
it's a co-production of GMA Films with Imus Productions of Bong Revilla. Pero
fourth quarter pa ito ilalabas," says Ms. Annette.
Shooting for Ang Panday will begin this March to allot more time for the filmmakers to prepare for the action sequences and the special effects to be used in the film. When asked if this will be their Metro Manila Film Fest entry for this year, the producers say that they are still discussing the matter. If this film is included in the MMFF, Ang Panday will mark GMA Films' return to the annual Christmas film fest. Its last project for the MMFF was Mulawin the Movie (2005) starring Richard Gutierrez, Angel Locsin, and Dennis Trillo.