Coco Martin and Vice Ganda: Let’s be positive this Christmas

MANILA, Philippines – On this early evening encounter at a Resorts World Manila restaurant, the cast and director of the new Star Cinema release, The Super Parental Guardians, are surprisingly positive about a lot of developments in local cinema.

Their filmfest entry, The Super Parental Guardians didn’t make it in the Magic 8 of the 2016 Metro Manila Film Festival and so does other equally popular entries perceived as sure-fire audience favorites.

The kids in the cast — Simon “Onyok” Pineda and McNeal “Awra” Briguela — said they are sad because they will miss the traditional parade of stars where they were supposed to enjoy their first rides on a float.

But let’s hear it from Vice Ganda who remains very positive about the recent development.

Said he: “In the spirit of the season, I want to be very positive this Christmas. Of course, we expected to be in the Magic 8 but then this is not a reason to sour-grape. We enjoyed doing the movie, we made it with the intention to provide wholesome entertainment for the kids and having said that, we should not lose heart because the movie will actually be shown before the festival and that’s good news for those looking forward to watching our film. We respect the decision. We were given equally good chances in the past and now we think we should give other films a chance to find their audiences this Christmas.”

Coco agreed. “This is the season to share the good blessings. Hence, I also respect the choices of the newly appointed MMFF jury. We have good reasons for doing this film and that is basically to bring joy to kids and their families on Christmas Day. I can see that there is no film entry catering to children. Again, I respect their decision. But as the local saying goes, ‘Pag may nagsara na pinto, may bubukas na bintana.’ Because we got an early booking and based on the response to our trailer, we expect the same patronage even as a non-entry in the MMFF.”

Both direk Joyce Bernal and Coco admitted the presence of Onyok and Awra in the project changed the content and tone of their latest project. “This is not a sequel of our last year’s blockbuster,” added Coco. “With these two kids in the cast, everything about this movie is different. We have to come up with something for the young audience as we have to offer something different for our adult fans. And as the result of the movie shows, they really added a lot to make the film more engrossing.”

“These two kids kept us on our toes,” pointed out Vice. “In the middle of the shooting, we realize the kids have something lasting to contribute. Awra, for one, has his own goldmine of punchlines, thus complementing what I have.”

The kids enjoyed every moment of the shoot. “What we enjoyed in this movie is that everybody is happy on the set. Walang malungkot sa shooting. And I keep learning new things from Kuya Coco and Ate Vice. Masaya all the way, plus marami kaming bagong natututunan sa pag-arte.”

Like Vice and Coco’s past blockbuster that raked in P520M in the box-office, this movie has no leading lady to speak of, no gripping love story to look forward to and no special “kilig” formula to make the hearts grow fonder.

Indeed, the lead stars of The Super Parental Guardians are studies in contrast.

He is a drama actor while the co-actor is a comedian honed by many years as a stand-up funny (wo)man.

Coco is a man of few words. Vice can, in fact, outtalk anyone and can very well supply the lines of a comedy movie without the help of scriptwriters.

With direk Wenn Deramas now gone, direk Joyce has to take over.

What the late director liked about Coco on his first comedy film will probably serve The Super Parental Guardians well.    

Direk Wenn earlier intimated to me about Coco: “In the beginning, he is always open to a good collaboration mainly because comedy is strange territory for him. So I guided him how he can be himself and still elicit humor. Even for a comedy film, he takes everything seriously. When I realized how he gave everything in a scene, I just told myself, ‘this is one hell of an actor who can last more than 200 years. His dedication is amazing and his humility is even more astounding.’”

The Super Parental Guardians opens today in cinemas.