“Echoserang frog (joker),” late actor Ronaldo Valdez told co-star Anjo Yllana as the former chastised the latter in the comedy flick, “Itutumba Ka ng Tatay Ko.”
Ronaldo would not have uttered the adjective had not his director instructed him to do so. He probably didn’t even know the meaning of those words. It just so happened that the director is his only son and eldest child, Janno Gibbs, who made his directorial debut in Viva Films’ “Itutumba Ka ng Tatay Ko.”
“Wala siyang choice because nakatira siya sa akin for more than a year already when he passed away,” Janno smiled. “So, umpisa pa lang, concept pa lang, kinukwento ko na sa kanya ang story. He was really proud of me and excited about this project.”
Janno and his dad also previously worked together in “Pedro Penduko: The Return of the Comeback” (2000) and the comedy-fantasy “Mang Jose” (2021).
It was as if he had a premonition to give his dad his final big-screen project, which was wrapped up by the senior actor before he unfortunately passed on last December.
Ronaldo only had three scenes in the tailend of “Itutumba Ka ng Tatay Ko.” He even did rare action scenes, fired guns and battled tough goons. But everything became so memorable to the audience, who rewarded Ronaldo with consecutive applause every time he came out on the big screen.
The scenes were all heartwarming and heart-tugging, especially since everyone knew the film was Ronaldo’s last big-screen appearance.
“Dream come true” was how comedian/singer-turned-film director Janno described his latest venture to work at the helm of his latest screen comedy caper, “Itutumba Ka ng Tatay Ko.”
Janno is joined by teenage actress Xia Vigor, with perennial partner Anjo Yllana, actress Louise de los Reyes and comedienne Juliana Parizcova-Segovia in the comedy film.
“I’ve always wanted to direct,” admitted Janno, who started acting since the mid-‘80s. “Even before, at alam ni Anjo ‘yan, mahilig na akong maki-alam sa director. I had many suggestions. I always asked the director if we could do this for the scene, instead of the other.”
“I think parang kulang na tayo sa comedy directors ngayon,” noted Janno. “From my experience, lahat ng comedy directors noon na nag-direct sa amin nila Andrew E, wala na.
“Al Tantay is the one directing our films today. I want to help the comedy genre para maituloy naman namin.”
Admittedly, Janno’s directorial debut is an “homage” to action king Fernando Poe Jr. and comedy king Dolphy, whom Janno often spoofs in his films in the past.
“Except for the title, taken after the FPJ-Judy Ann Santos partnership, ‘Isusumbong Kita sa Tatay Ko’ (1999), that was as far as it goes,” Janno said. “The story had nothing to do with the title.
“But I have a lot of scenes here in ‘Itutumba Ka ng Tatay Ko’ honoring FPJ. My character, Teteng, sa bahay pa lang, may posters na ni FPJ, sa kuwarto ko – ‘Hindi Ka na Sisikatan ng Araw’ and ‘Mabuting Kaibigan, Masamang Kaaway.’ Half of the movie was Dolphy. Half was FPJ.”
Working behind the camera for Janno is not to impress. “Unlike other directors that I see, I’m here to entertain. I want to be a comedy director and make people happy. Simple lang. Nothing artsy.”
Janno added, “This (movie) is straightforward comedy and I’m really here to entertain. I’m very happy with the outcome of this. I had a few frustrations, but for a first timer, I’m very happy. Siyempre, marami pa akong kakaining bigas.”
Comedy is apparently Janno’s “niche,” having been a veteran of dozens of laugh trips on TV and the big screen.
Janno admitted he had a lot of help from his associate director, Julius Alfonso, in “Itutumba Ka ng Tatay Ko.”
“I didn’t have an assistant director, but I had an associate director,” Janno said. “We’re like equal. If ever I lacked anything in the shots, he would tell me or I would ask him. ‘Direk, okay na ba ‘yun or may kulang pa ba ako?’
“I had a lot of help. From POV (point of view) shots, the executive producer and, of course, the cast helped a lot to make my work easy.”
The 14-year-old actress Xia Vigor gets a chance to do comedy for the first time and she was thrilled to co-star and be directed by Janno.
Xia was delighted after the premiere night and was so impressed with her first-time megman.
“It was such an honor for me to have Tito Janno as my dad in this movie,” said Xia. “I realized while working with him, how passionate he is even if it’s the first time for him to direct.
“Like what Tito Anjo said, we were like working with a veteran director. Sobrang creative niya in many scenes. He knew all the details. He helped me a lot in the comedy scenes, because this is my first comedy movie. I’m not really used to doing comedy.
“Dapat pala exaggerated ang mga facial expressions. Para mas good vibes. So Tito Janno really helped me a lot in this movie. I don’t mind doing another comedy movie with him.”
“Itutumba Ka ng Tatay Ko” had a red-carpet premiere Monday night at SM Megamall Cinema 2. Not only fans trooped to the cinema, but a lot of celebrities showed up to support Janno’s directorial debut.
Senator Robin Padilla led the celebrity guests who lent support to Janno. Former Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista also trooped to SM Megamall with comedian Dennis Padilla and rapper Andrew E.
Friends of Janno and his wife Bing Loyzaga, such as Gelli de Belen and Candy Pangilinan, also attended the premiere.
Of course, Janno’s better half, Bing, was beside him throughout the screening.
In the theater was Janno’s legal counsel, Lorna Kapunan, who admittedly enjoyed the comedy flick. “Fantastic,” blurted the lawyer after the premiere.
Janno arrived in the cinema with Xia, his teenage daughter in the film that marked Xia’s comeback after 2019’s “Miracle in Cell No. 7.”
The supporting cast of “Itutumba Ka ng Tatay Ko” like Jeric Raval also showed up.
The comedy flick is now showing in cinemas. “Itutumba Ka ng Tatay Ko” also stars Robb Guinto and TJ Valderrama, with the special participation of Janno’s first talent manager, Ronnie Henares.
In the closing billboard (CBB) of "Itutumba Ka ng Tatay Ko," the film was dedicated to Janno's dad, "Para sa tatay ko."