Direk Dennis banking on Empoy’s being ‘hot’

For the record: The Barker, starring Empoy Marquez (with Shy Carlos), started shooting a month before the release of Kita Kita (with Alessandra de Rossi), Empoy’s phenomenal first solo starrer which grossed more than P350 million, ranking it among the Top 5 blockbusters so far this year.

“At that time, Empoy was not as hot as he is now so it was a gamble on our part,” Dennis told Funfare. “But, of course, it’s our luck that we can bank on the success of Kita Kita. Makikinabang kami sa tagumpay ng pelikula.”  

Produced by Arlyn dela Cruz’s Blank Page Productions, The Barker is being released by Viva Films, the same company that partnered with Spring Films (Piolo Pascual and Bb. Joyce Bernal among the producers) for Kita Kita after Star Cinema turned down a partnership offer. (Ironically, Star Cinema hastened to tie Empoy to an exclusive contract after he hit the jackpot.)          

“We wanted to get good theaters,” said Dennis, “so Arlyn decided to talk to (Viva) Boss Vic (del Rosario Jr.). Pumayag naman kaagad si Boss Vic. We started shooting in September but had to stop because our stars were busy with other projects. But we finished the shoot in time for the Oct. 25 playdate.”        

The story of a barker (the guy who “barks” at commuters what jeepney or bus to take), the movie marks the overdue directorial debut of Dennis, son of the late all-around comedian Dencio Padilla who was a regular fixture in FPJ movies. Taking after his father, Dennis specializes in action-comedy so he opted for an action-comedy as Empoy’s sophomore starrer.  

“The role fits Empoy,” assured Dennis who wrote the story and co-wrote the screenplay with Arlyn.

The trailer shows Empoy in action scenes (equipped with a gun) but according to Dennis, the movie explains the inclusion of such scenes, something which he begged off from revealing to avoid a spoiler alert.

“I have worked with Empoy but never in a movie,” recalled Dennis. “We were together in Bora, an ABS-CBN TV series, and when he won in the Mr. Suave contest on MTB (Magandang Tanghali Bayan, the predecessor of It’s Showtime, then hosted by Willie Revillame, Randy Santiago and John Estrada), I was among the co-hosts with Ai-Ai (delas Alas), Bayani (Agbayani) and Tado.”      

Dennis and Empoy with Jeric Raval, one of the movie’s stars

Empoy had appeared in several other TV shows and movies before he got his big break (Kita Kita).

“I knew he would make it,” said Dennis. “He was just waiting for the right time. During the promo for Kita Kita, I was active on social media pushing for it. I wanted to help the promo in my own little way. It was his first starring movie so I attended the premiere.”

Dennis is sure that moviegoers will like The Barker because he said it showcases Empoy in a different role, in a different light.    

“His role is similar to the ones that I used to play but with his own brand of comedy na parang naive, inosente ang dating. Read his book and you will see that he even has his own vocabulary. He is now the only one in the category which Andrew E, Herbert (Bautista) and I used to occupy when we were younger. Ngayon, nag-iisa na lang si Empoy sa kategoryang ‘yon. Solong-solo nya.”          

Even now that he’s the star of the hour, swamped with more projects than his schedule can perhaps accommodate, all for lead roles (a Kapamilya sitcom with Piolo Pascual and Alessandra, and a Star Cinema movie with Zanjoe Marudo), Empoy doesn’t seem to realize his impact on the public.

“Hindi pa nagsi-sink in na superstar na siya,” observed Dennis who related an incident in Trece Martires, Cavite, where they shot a big scene along the main highway near the Municipal Hall and the market. Dennis was taking a full shot from a crane and when he shouted “Cut!!!,” the crowd mobbed Empoy.    

“Nagulat siya. We could see in his face that he couldn’t believe it...bakit ako dinudumog ng tao? There were 10 Barangay Tanods with us at nahirapan kaming i-escort siya to the nearest restaurant. Paano kasi, ang tagal na n’ya sa showbiz at ngayon lang ito nangyayari sa kanya.”

Dennis said that he didn’t think Empoy would be over-exposed.  

“Iba-iba naman ang projects niya. Besides, it’s okay to strike while the iron is hot.”        

His reminder to Empoy?    

“Lalo pang dadami ang blessings mo kasi hindi lumalaki ang ulo mo.”

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