A round of applause, parties for Tanging Yaman

The cast and staff of Tanging Yaman, Star Cinema’s entry to this year’s Metro Manila Filmfest, had to follow a hectic schedule prior to the said film’s exhibition date last Dec. 25. So proud are they of the movie that a week before the MMFF opening, they had it previewed at the Rockwell Center in Makati City.

A number of well-heeled guests, headed by no less than ABS-CBN’s top guns, Gabby Lopez, who came with his very pretty wife, the former Panjee Gonzales, Freddie Garcia and Charo Santos-Concio, attended the occasion. On hand to welcome and entertain them was Malou Santos, managing director, Star Cinema.

At the Parade of Stars which ushered in the MMFF 2000, the stars of Tanging Yaman, except for Dina Bonnevie, were all accounted for. Theirs was one of the most admired and popular floats.

The big victory of Tanging Yaman at the MMFF Awards rites last Wednesday may have been expected. But just the same, everytime a winner from the group is called onstage, he or she would be meet with excitement not only by the Star Cinema people and the cast and crew of the movie but by the general public as well.

Tanging Yaman, comeback movie of director Laurice Guillen, bagged nine of the trophies at stake, including Best Picture; Best Actress (Gloria Romero); Best Actor (Johnny Delgado); Best Director (Laurice Guillen); Gatpuno Antonio Villegas Cultural Award; Best Screenplay (Shaira Salvador, Raymund Lee and Laurice Guillen); Best Musical Score (Nonong Buencamino); Best Cinematography (Videlle ‘Lee’ Meily) and Best Story (Laurice Guillen).

The movie is expected to emerge as the MMFF’s 2000 top-grosser.

Tanging Yaman is the much-awaited movie, with the public excitement and expectations whetted no doubt by the rave reviews by both critics and lay moviegoers alike who were lucky enough to have seen previews of the movie.

Much of the appeal of the all-star family drama is its story — about a clan on the brink of disintegration because of sibling rivalry and animosity among its members — which touches a raw nerve in the public heart. The plot has a universal appeal, hitting right where it should — the heart — among audiences from all walks of life and all levels of society.