MANILA, Philippines – John Arcilla is happy that his film “Heneral Luna” was chosen to be Philippines’ entry for the Best in Foreign Language film category of the Oscars.
On Monday, the film’s promoters announced the good news through their Facebook account.
READ: ‘Heneral Luna’ is Philippines’ entry to Oscars 2016
He admits not expecting the warm reception their film is now getting from the public.
“Noong una nagsimula kami 91 theaters kasi pinilit ‘yon, kasi naniniwala ang producer namin na magiging word of mouth ito. Tapos after a week 39 na lang, so medyo [nakakalungkot]. Pero hiningi ng tao, ngayon 105 na, mas malaki pa doon sa una,” he said in an interview in “Umagang Kay Ganda” on Tuesday.
Arcilla is thankful for the risk their producer Nando Ortigas has taken for this film since there was no assurance that the film will be a hit.
“Ang laki ng tiwala niya doon sa pelikula, sa cast, the way it was written tsaka doon sa director na nagbigay siya talaga nang napakalaking halaga para doon sa pelikula,” he said referring to Ortigas.
“Parang ang hope na lang ng lahat maging word of mouth talaga siya para bumaik [ang nagastos]. Nagho-hope na lang siya at nagwi-wish, pero talagang nag-take siya ng risk,” he added.
It was recently announced that “Heneral Luna” will have a U.S. screening. Some of the cast members will join the U.S. tour for the movie that will happen from October to November.