Ronnie’s film promotes arnis

Good luck comes in threes.

That’s precisely the reason why actor-director-writer-fight instructor-producer Ronnie Ricketts is very happy these days.

His third installment of his successful movie Mano-Mano is one of the official entries on this year’s Manila Film Festival. In fact, it is the only action movie that made it to the festival. It that will be shown starting June 23.

Just like the other two Mano-Mano movies, Mano-Mano 3 is Pinoy in concept, story and execution. But the added come-on of the new project is that it showcases arnis, martial arts that uses two bamboo canes and which originated in the Philippines.

Ronnie believes arnis should be given importance in our country, the way Japanese popularized karate; Koreans pushed taekwondo; the Thais promoted Thai kickboxing; and the Chinese, kung fu.

"It is indeed a lost art. Our government should support and promote the art of arnis. So in Mano-Mano 3, the public will have the chance to see how arnis is used to defend one’s life. Isa sa highlights ng movie ay ang paggamit ko ng arnis laban sa samurai. It’s a very exciting fight scene which I co-directed with my brother, Topher," Ronnie says.

In the movie, Ronnie plays Nato Aragon, an arnis champion and a disciplined, responsible and God-fearing person. Unfortunately though, he has to avenge the death of his policeman brother murdered by a powerful syndicate head.

Using his martial arts expertise with the help of dedicated law enforcers, Nato’s mission is accomplished.

Mano-Mano 3 is an action movie with a different touch. Watching action movies nowadays is a rarity. And the Ronnie Ricketts vehicle is the answer to the clamor of action buffs who missed viewing non-stop fights on the big screen.

To add excitement to the lone action-packed film on the filmfest, Viva Hot Babes member Gwen Garci was tapped to portray a sexy government agent. Eat Bulaga host Leila Kuzma debuts in the film where she displays her mastery of taekwondo.

Ronnie’s nephew, 13-year-old Bruce Ricketts another, a martial arts fanatic joins the movie.