Kim Molina not yet qualified to be Box-Office Queen

One of the featured stars in “Culion” is stage actor Mike Liwag, who is playing his first major role in film written by the iconic writer Ricky Lee and directed by the award-winning Alvin Yapan.

“Now that we’ve finished the movie, I am so happy because we are now ready to share what we have worked hard for. For me, this movie shows awareness. Having worked in a film by Direk Alvin Yapan and written by Mr. Ricky Lee, I can say that your minds will be opened once you’ve watched it. And you will be touched by its message of hope,” said Mike at the media launch of the film’s trailer.

How was the experience filming in Palawan? “Sobrang saya kaya lang po we had a problem with the weather. There were times it would rain while we were shooting outdoors. At times, the rains will prevent us from finishing our scenes but still we were able to finish the shoot on schedule despite the unpredictable weather,” he related.

“Culion” is Mike’s biggest movie break as an actor. While he also appeared in some movies before like Judy Ann Santos’ “Kusina,” the actor said nothing quite compares with the experience of being part of a historic movie like “Culion.”

“Imagine, we are working with Sir Ricky Lee, Direk Alvin, Sir Shandii plus an amazing cast with Ms. Iza Calzado, Jasmine Curtis-Smith, Meryl Soriano, Joem Bascon. It feels surreal to be part of a big project. Plus I was given a good role as the partner of Jasmine so I feel I have a big responsibility to fulfill in this movie. I must not only act well but I should also be a representative of a group of people in ‘Culion’ who was part of our country’s history. It’s a very challenging role,” Mike explained.

In “Culion,” Mike plays Jaime, a person whom Mike described as having no direction in life. He was just content on getting help from the Americans and Frenchmen in the island. His goal is to be the girlfriend of Doris (Jasmine) who, in turn, believes that Jaime can’t be her boyfriend if he is not focused and lacks vision with what he wants in life.

“But you can see Jaime’s character progress in the film. He will undergo change, especially after many things happened to her and Doris,” Mike said.

He was only eyeing to be part of the ensemble when he auditioned but was pleasantly surprised when he was chosen to play one of the film’s important roles.

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If the drumbeaters of Viva Films are saying the truth that “Jowable” – which has the up and coming Kim Molina as lead – was a box-office hit, then congratulations. At least her solo movie made money, unlike the launching films of other stars which were big fat eggs at the box-office despite good promo and hype.

“Jowable” reportedly earned more than P20 million, which is not bad for an artist of Kim’s stature. But even if her solo film made money, let us not be too eager to call or label Kim as Box-Office Queen. One hit movie doesn’t qualify you to be the queen, unless your movie establishes a box-office record that might be difficult to surpass.

Before labeling a star as a box-office queen, there should be a criteria for judging. First and foremost, the movie should truly be a certified hit. The movie should be something that you will have to wait in line for long hours or days before you can buy a ticket.

Second criteria for judging, the movie should have staying power. It should still be showing a month after its release and people are still watching it. Or more people are requesting that it be shown in other places.

And third, if Kim will have another movie, it should earn more money at the box-office compared to her last movie. Consistency is the name of the game.

Kim should be able to fulfill all three criteria for her to qualify as candidate as box-office

If she can’t meet the criteria, then people might say “Jowable” is a freak success and Kim is not qualified to be the box-office queen. Her next movies should earn big money like those of Sarah Geronimo and Kathryn Bernardo.