MANILA, Philippines - Manila Kingpin (The Untold Story of Asiong Salonga) marked the return of the Pinoy action genre when it hit the theaters last year, in time for the 37th Metro Manila Film Festival, where it won Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor (John Regala), Best Editing, Best Original Story, Best Screenplay, Best Original Theme Song (La Paloma by Ely Buendia), Best Cinematography, Best Sound Recording, Best Musical Score and the Gatpuno Villegas Cultural Award. The movie also scored big at the 28th PMPC Star Awards for Movies and Gawad Pasado Awards 2012, including Movie Actor of the Year award and Pinakapasadong Actor award for Jorge Estregan. Now released on video, it can be a great addition to a collection of true-to-life action films.
Produced in black-and-white, which is a first for a major Filipino film in the 21st century, Manila Kingpin captures the look of the 1950s wherein the movie is set. Jorge stars as Asiong Salonga, the youngest, toughest outlaw who reigned as King in Tondo. He led a troupe of goons in robbing the rich, but shared the money to the poor. To the authorities, he was Public Enemy No. 1, and they were not the only ones who wanted to take him down. Asiong was always in a gunfight against another gang, whose leader, Totoy Golem, played by John Regala, wanted to regain power in Tondo. Despite the chaotic life he chose to live, one woman (Carla Abellana) loved him truly. Witness the life story of the fearless and ruthless Asiong, who lived by the gun which eventually caused his death.
Also starring Phillip Salvador, Dennis Padilla and Baron Geisler (PMPC Movie Supporting Actor of the Year), Manila Kingpin is now available on original VCD for P299 and DVD for P600 at the leading video stores nationwide.