Real-life comic buds reunite with Raketeros

CEBU, Philippines -Despite the advent of a new Pinoy comedy approach in the tradition of the “comedy bar” humor made popular by Vice Ganda’s mainstream success, veteran comedian Dennis Padilla says that the comic style viewers will see in the film “Raketeros” is still the same as how they did it in the ‘80s.

“All of us in the main cast have been comedians since the late ‘80s. We have the same comedy style,” says Dennis, who co-stars in the ensemble movie with his real-life good friends Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista, Ogie Alcasid, Andrew E. and Long Mejia.

The idea of a big screen reunion, according to Dennis, was broached by Herbert during the last shooting day of the 2012 Metro Manila Film Festival entry they both starred in, “Shake Rattle and Roll 14.”

“Sabi ko, maganda yan. By December, we contacted Randy Santiago. Mayor Herbert wanted him to direct it since he was used to comedy and is also a good friend. Masarap gumawa ng movie about friends when the director is also your barkada. We thought up the story’s concept ourselves, tapos ako yung nagsulat along with Woodrow Serafin,” recounts Dennis after a promo show at the SM City Cebu Event Centre. Joining him in inviting Cebuanos to watch the film were Long, Tippy Dos Santos, Karen Reyes and Ryan Boyce.

He adds, “I think it has been 15-20 years that we haven’t been in a film together. The laughs here are multiplied by six because of Ogie, Andrew, Herbert, Long, me, plus Joey Marquez. We’re sure the people will do nothing but laugh until they get of the cinemas.”

Although better known as a singer-comedian, Dennis was quick to say how Randy was such a capable director. “Even before Randy became a famous singer, he was first the assistant director of his dad [the late film director] Pablo Santiago, who was the resident director of Fernando Poe, Jr. So he’s used to it and he’s a very good director. He had a lot of input in this movie.”

He likens “Raketeros” to the Hollywood comic trilogy "The Hangover" in that the entire story happens in the course of one day and is about a group of male friends.

The five middle-aged males with different sources of income (raket, in local parlance) – Berto (Herbert), the cable guy; Mando (Dennis), the billiards hustler; Mulong (Long), the driver; Julio (Ogie), the all-around singer; and Andoy (Andrew) the ‘religious’ --- gather to deliver an expensive gown to their rich friend’s mansion in Batangas, where it will be worn by his daughter, Juicy (Tippy), at her debut. A series of misfortunes, however, turns what sounds as a relatively simple task into a misadventure of sorts.

Dennis says he makes it a habit to watch as much laugh flicks as possible to get updated on new techniques. “Recent comedy films I like are Sisterakas, Kimmy Dora…for foreign movies, I like Adam Sandler, Steve Carell, Will Smith and Jim Carrey movies. I usually watch most comedy films, whether big or small, so that I will be refreshed as an actor.”

If other comics take a break from the antics and put on a serious demeanor when the curtains are down, the former councilor shares he remains a clown even when the cameras aren’t rolling.

“I’m still a comedian even off-cam. Nagiging seryoso lang ako kapag nagbabayad ng MERALCO, ng tubig o ng tuition fee ng mga bata,” he jests. “Kapag nabayaran ko na sila, nagiging comedian ulit ako.”

“Raketeros” hits cinemas nationwide this Wednesday, August 7. (FREEMAN)