VIC SOTTO: 'No bad blodd between Eat BUlaga and GMA 7'

Actor-comedian and TV host Vic Sotto is the newest record maker in the history of the Metro Manila Film Festival. For the fourth straight year, his film festival entry, "Enteng Kabisote 2: The Legend Continues" is leading the box office race. It grossed P12.4 million on Christmas Day, the first day of the festival. He'd surely earn the tag as the box-office king of the Metro Manila Film Festival.

He started this marvelous run at the box office with the remake of "Lastikman" in 2002, "Fantastikman" in 2003 and the first version of "Enteng Kabisote" last year. Take note that during the '80s, his filmfest entries "Okay Ka, Fairy Ko: The Movie" Part 1 and 2 also lorded it over the box office.

To celebrate the strong showing of "Enteng Kabisote 2" at the box office, OctoArts Films and MZet Productions held a thanksgiving party Monday night at the Virgin Café in Quezon City, which was attended by the movie's cast and crew.

According to Vic, it came as a pleasant surprise that "Enteng Kabisote 2" is doing very well, considering the strong competition coming from "Exodus" of Sen. Bong Revilla from Imus Productions and "Mulawin The Movie" of GMA Films. All of them have the same genre, which is fantasy, although his movie has elements of comedy. What is also heartwarming is that "Enteng Kabisote 2" surpassed the record of "Enteng Kabisote," which Vic concedes, is already a tough act to follow.

Vic also took the occasion to speak on the alleged gap between GMA 7 and "Eat Bulaga," same with the perceived gap between him and GMA 7 because of the row regarding the promotion of "Mulawin The Movie" and "Enteng Kabisote 2." This was given color by the press because "Enteng Kabisote 2" was not allowed to promote in other GMA 7 shows, while "Mulawin The Movie" was also not allowed to promote in "Eat Bulaga."

He understands that GMA Films only wants to protect "Mulawin The Movie" since the film arm of GMA 7 spent a fortune on the project. "It makes sense why they wouldn't want to allow my movie to promote on other GMA programs, same with Bong's movie since we are all competitors in the festival. If I were in their shoes, I'd probably do the same thing, considering our respective movies and that of Bong's have the same target audience," says Vic.

Vic denies there is a rift between him and GMA. He also corrects impression that there is also a rift between TAPE, Inc. (the producer "Eat Bulaga") and GMA. This was also the statement given by Ms. Annette Gozon, the head of GMA Films in an interview for a broadsheet.

"Even if we have a good relationship with GMA 7 and we are friends, we are still competitors because our respective movies are entered in the festival and we are fighting for the same market, the same audience bracket," says Vic. "Of course, GMA Films would want their movie to be number one, same thing with us and with Bong's movie. It's a matter of working hard to promote our respective movies well so we could reach out to our target market."

"Kung may lumabas na intriga na hindi ko prinomote ang 'Mulawin' sa 'Eat Bulaga,' bakit ko naman ipo-promote ang kalaban ko? Kaplastikan naman iyon, di ba? Eh ang GMA naman walang problema. They have the whole day to promote the movie. Ako tanghali lang makakapag-promote dahil hindi naman ako makakapasok sa ibang time slot. Okay na rin dahil nainterbyu naman ako sa '24 Oras' at 'S Files' so ayos lang," adds Vic.

According to a source, here's the total gross receipts for the first two days of the festival: "Enteng Kabisote" (P24 million); "Exodus" (P17 million); "Mulawin" (P15 million); "Shake, Rattle & Roll" (P10 million); "Ako Legal Wife" (P10 million); "Kutob" (P4.5 million); and "Terrorist Hunter" (P1 million).

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If you had been watching the festival entries, chances are you might have seen the trailer of the movie "The Maid" which Alessandra de Rossi shot abroad and which is due to be released here in the Philippines. The trailer is focused on Alessandra and even if she's a foreign actress, she was given importance by the Singaporean film producer. Highlighted in the trailer, Alessandra would surely be thrilled when she gets to watch the trailer herself.

Alex is also happy with the role she's playing in "Kutob," directed by Joey Reyes for Canary Films. It might not be the type that would win her an award but the role is really interesting and she fleshed it out with aplomb.

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Ronnie Ricketts believes it's for the best that their film fest entry "Lagot Ka Sa Kuya Ko" got the January 1, 2006 play date, and not the December 25 slot where it would have competed with the big-budgeted productions like "Enteng Kabisote 2," "Exodus" and "Mulawin The Movie."

Aside from giving them the chance to have more time to drumbeat the film, Ronnie believes that come January 1, the viewing public might be looking for an alternative viewing fare with the overload of fantasy films in the festival this year.

While he is not raising his hopes too high, Ronnie is glad that his project had been chosen as an entry.

"We don't have any expectations with regards to our film. What is important is for us to earn a little break. Hindi naman masyadong malaki ang cost of production namin kaya kung kumita lang kami ay okay na para sa akin," says the actor-director.

He is very happy that "Lagot Ka Sa Kuya Ko" was accepted but he didn't expect it. But Ronnie felt that the movie, which he wrote and directed, stands a chance to be picked. "Kasi when we were doing the movie, positive thinker naman ako, eh. If you notice the poster, very wholesome ang dating nito. Hindi ito typical action movie na patayan nang patayan. Intended talaga ito na maging magaan ang dating sa mga tao."