Sharon-Robin flick lacks Star Cinema push

November 29 is the playdate of “Unexpectedly Yours,” the comeback movie of the tandem Sharon Cuneta and Robin Padilla. Directed by Cathy Garcia-Molina, the movie also features Joshua Garcia (who plays Robin’s nephew) and Julia Barretto as the daughter of Sharon.

We noticed that Star Cinema seems to have allotted very minimal time for the promo of the Sharon-Robin flick. The last Sharon-Robin film titled “Pagdating ng Panahon” was released 16 years ago and we believe Star Cinema should have promoted “Unexpectedly Yours” like a movie event to watch out for.

After all, Sharon and Robin are reunited in a film after a long, long time plus this is also the first Sharon-Robin flick to be directed by Cathy Garcia-Molina. We feel Star Cinema should have done more in terms of hyping up the movie.

There is only one grand press conference for the film which is happening tomorrow. In contrast, the movie “Barbi D’Wonder Beki” (which is opening also on November 29) already had two presscons, including a solo for Paolo Ballesteros who is the lead actor.

In terms of publicity and awareness, Paolo’s movie seems to be doing better. If Paolo’s movie earns more money at the box-office, then that would not be good for Sharon and Robin because their bashers will say they were beaten by Paolo.

Sharon and Robin will be blamed even if it is not their fault. They lacked ample support from Star Cinema.

This was also the case when “Ang Pamilyang Hindi Lumuluha” was released by Star Cinema. The minimal promo did not help drum up interest for the film.

We feel sorry for Sharon and Robin because their movie is not being promoted very well. But we still hope that “Unexpectedly Yours” will do better at the box-office even if it’s wanting in promo.

We miss the PR arm of Viva Films before where Sharon and Robin used to be contract stars. Alagang-alaga sila sa promo and there was high awareness whenever they had projects together.

It was Robin’s birthday yesterday and our wish for him is that “Unexpectedly Yours” will become a blockbuster despite the little attention it was given by its studio. We also wish that Sharon gets back on track as a major box-office draw. Sharon and Robin are major stars. They deserved to be treated with the love and respect they so deserve.  

We hope their fans will come in droves to support the film. We know Sharon-Robin fans are combining their forces together and are scheduling block screenings for their members, with the hope that either Sharon or Robin will be able to attend the event.

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The Philippine Fireworks Association on November 21 spoke at the Pandesal Forum at Kamuning Bakery Café in Quezon City, appealing to leaders of local government units (LGUs) and the media to help clarify that there is no firecrackers ban in the Philippines. President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s Executive Order 28  allows pyrotechnics (or “pa-ilaw” in Filipino, meaning “lights”) to be used. It is not true that pyrotechnics are prohibited, restricted or limited.

The association urges a strict ban on dangerous piccolo firecrackers (which had in the past caused 60 percent or more injuries every New Year) and asks stopping of illegal smuggled fireworks which usually have unregulated and dubious quality.

The Executive Order 28 only limits the use of firecrackers (or paputok in Filipino) to designated areas nationwide, but this doesn’t include the safer pyrotechnics.

“Our association wishes to appeal to Quezon City and other local government  units not to totally ban all pyrotechnics during this holiday season, especially for welcoming the new year,” said Jovenson Ong, the President of the Philippine Fireworks Association.

The association wishes to thank President Duterte for his fairness towards our local Philippine-made pyrotechnics and fireworks industry, which is mainly but not only limited to Bulacan province, that’s why Executive Order No. 28 is clear about allowing pyrotechnics and encourages people to shift from firecrackers to pyrotechnics.

The Philippine fireworks industry benefits an estimated 150,000 people with livelihoods connected to local manufacturing and selling fireworks nationwide .

The association appeals for support for this local industry, which has potentials for exports, but the domestic industry needs to survive and be given fairness. Examples of good local manufacturers is ASEAN’s biggest fireworks manufacturer the Dragon Fireworks of Bulacan province. This company is ISO-certified. It has represented the Philippines and won gold medals and other honors for the country in international competitions like those in Cannes, France; in the 2013 Berlin “Pyronale” and in Hanover, Germany among others.