Film producer questions PAMI statement over Lovi Poe-Erik Matti issue

MANILA, Philippines – Film producer Dondon Monteverde was dismayed over the stance of the Professional Artists Managers Inc. (PAMI) regarding the issue between actress Lovi Poe and director Erik Matti.

 

It can be remembered that Matti slammed the GMA-7 star on his Facebook page for refusing to reprise in the sequel of “Tiktik: The Aswang Chronicles” titled “Kubot,” which will be part of this year's Metro Manila Film Festival.

 

Monteverde is one of the producers of “Kubot” The Aswang Chronicles.”

 

In a statement published in The STAR on Sunday, September 14, PAMI said it stands behind Leo Dominguez, the manager of Lovi. 

 

Dominguez is a member of PAMI.

 

Monteverde reacted to the said statement in a Facebook post on Monday, September 15, saying he was surprised how PAMI “arrived at a consensus to support Leo Dominguez without even hearing our side of the story.”

 

According to Monteverde, Lovi and Dominguez “signed the contract of Tiktik: The Aswang Chronicles including any sequel or prequel of the said franchise.” He also said Dominguez confirmed the GMA-7 star's participation in the film three times.

 

He explained: “First, with me through a conversation I had with Leo finalizing Lovi to reprise her role as Sonia, together with also getting the services of Isabelle Daza as the new leading lady of Kubot: The Aswang Chronicles 2 (who is also represented by Leo Dominguez).”

 

“The second time was when production already started getting schedules from Lovi Poe, which the handler of Leo Dominguez provided us for two shooting days, but with the condition that she will be called late in the set, and that she will be paid PHP 400,000.00 for her two-day appearance. A price we deem a bit too steep given that her previous contract, for at least fifteen days package fee is only PHP 200,000.00. With inflation and all, and the sudden change in rate card is really a way of saying no to the project.

 

“The third time was when we already asked help from GMA Films through Joey Abacan. Joey was able to negotiate a lower fee of PHP 90,000.00 per day, which we deemed a fair enough amount for her services, thereby we accepted their demand,” Monteverde said.

 

But after the agreement, Matti found out through Roselle Monteverde that Lovi “does not want to be part of the project because she is uncomfortable working with Dingdong Dantes, whose fiancée, Marian Rivera, allegedly gave Lovi a cold shoulder.”

 

Monteverde added, “The first thing I did upon hearing about it was to call Dingdong and ask if it’s true, which Dingdong denied, saying that he and Lovi are even working together at least three times a week on a taping for a teleserye called 'Ang Dalawang Mrs. Real.' And even if what my sister, Roselle, claimed was true, haven’t Leo and Lovi heard of the word professionalism?”

 

“Wanting to still convince Leo that we badly need Lovi for continuity of Tiktik to Kubot, I called him up to see what else we can do to make it happen. But since then, after countless phone calls and text messages, he never answered back. This I think was the final straw with me and Erik Matti.”

 

Monteverde defended Matti's statements against Lovi on his Facebook page, saying “The Aswang Chronicles is blood, sweat and tears not just for me and Erik, but for everyone involved in it.”

 

To PAMI, he said: “We do wish you could have talked to us first and heard our side of the story before making any sweeping show of support with your member, Leo Dominguez.”

 

“Something wrong was done to me and Erik as producer and director. I totally respect the opinion of my friend, Erik,” Monteverde also said. “What he said may be a bit harsh, but he has every right to his freedom of expression.” 

 

“To some, or to most even, it may be unpopular, but his honest, irreverent burst of anger straight from the heart, is something that I fully respect,” he added. 

 

“I’d rather have a partner that’s direct and truthful, than one who is politically correct, a hypocrite and dishonest, just like some of our industry colleagues that we hope we could change little by little, in this lifetime.”

 

Here is the Facebook post of Dondon Monteverde over the issue between Erik Matti and Lovi Poe: