Vice Ganda denies rift with Coco

Vice Ganda admits the audience profile and their tastes vary through the passage of time. He sees it on their noontime show and he is likewise aware that some indie films (like “Kita Kita”) had been successful at the box-office compared to mainstream movies.

Since he only does one movie a year, he makes it a point to make it entertaining, something that the audience will surely enjoy.

“I just want to entertain the people. I only do one movie a year and when that time comes, my goal is to make the people happy,” said the five-time box-office star of the Metro Manila Film Festival.

Vice breaks his own box-office record each time he joins the MMFF.

“Of course, there is some kind of pressure to break my own record but I would rather make entertaining movies that appeal to the public. I don’t aim to become the box-office star of the festival. It just happens.”

Two years ago, Vice and his good friend Coco Martin teamed up in an MMFF movie, which became number one at the box-office. Now, they are competing against each other for box-office supremacy in the coming festival.  

Coco’s entry is “Ang Panday” which he produced and directed for his CCM Productions (with Star Cinema and Viva Films as co-producers) while Vice has “Gandarrapiddo The Revengers Squad” (also produced by Star Cinema) which co-stars him with Daniel Padilla and former Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach.

But he denies having a rift with Coco. “We are still friends,” said Vice. “While we both have entries at the MMFF, this has inspired us to work harder to come up with good projects. Hindi naman maiiwasan na pagsabungin kami ni Coco sa publicity dahil magkalaban ang mga movies namin pero this is a healthy competition na ang end result, ang mga manonood ang siyang makikinabang.”

Whatever will be the outcome of “Ang Panday” and “The Revenger’s Squad,” Vice said they will be happy for each other.  

Directed by Joyce Bernal and also starring Pia Wurtzbach and Daniel, “The Revenger’s Squad” is co-produced by Star Cinema and Viva Films. The movie opens in cinemas on Christmas Day.

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Concert King Martin Nievera was overwhelmed with the jampacked crowd who came to watch his concert titled “Martin@35: No Filter” held at the Theatre @ Solaire last Friday.

Directed by Paolo Valenciano (son of Gary Valenciano), it was an anniversary and Christmas concert rolled into one.

“To perform for an audience like this is truly unheard of,” Martin addressed the appreciative crowd who braved the Friday traffic to watch his show.

After three numbers, capped by the theme song of Solaire, Martin wowed the crowd with his rendition of his signature Tagalog songs – “Giliw,” “Ako’y Mahal Mo Rin,” “Ikaw ang Lahat Sa Akin,” “Kahit Isang Saglit” and “Ikaw.”

Then he sang the Michael Bubley song “Sway” for a bit of Las Vegas touch. To look back at the  past, Martin sang Alvina Sy’s “Pain” which he interpreted at the Mertropop many moons ago.

Then he called Matteo Guidicelli to sing with him “Say That You Love Me” in Italian and Spanish. “I want these kids to shine,” Martin said of Matteo. “It is my legacy if I am able to help these kids shine.”

Then he called on his son Robin Nievera whom he cites as the next Concert King after calling Paolo Valenciano (whom he says doesn’t know any of his songs “a genius.”). He did a duet with Robin (“No More Light”) then his song “You’re On The Right Track.”

The second half of the concert opened with Martin singing “It’s The Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” then followed this up with “The Christmas Story” (one of his favorite Christmas songs) then “Christmas Won’t Be The Same Without You.”

Martin did two of his hits (“Ikaw Lang ang Mamahalin” and “Please Don’t Throw My Love Away”) then he called onstage Kia Quizon and his son Robin for the “I’ll Be There” number.

Afterward, Zia and Robin did the duet of “To Love Somebody.” He dedicated the song “l’ll Be Home For Christmas” to our brothers in Marawi.

Martin says his most popular song is “Be My Lady” and this was made more dramatic when Martin called a couple and the man made a wedding proposal to his girlfriend.

Before he sang “You Are My Song” and “Ikaw Lang ang Mamahalin,” Martin said these songs described how he feels about his audience and why he is still alive and inspired to perform.  

He ended the show with “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” “This is The Moment” and “What a Wonderful World.” The audience gave Martin a standing ovation.

It was an enjoyable night indeed for everyone.