Advertisement

Mother Lily allows Carla to promote Asiong Salonga

All’s well that ends well.

Regal Films matriarch Mother Lily Monteverde is allowing  Carla Abellana, her exclusive contract artist to promote the Metro Manila Filmfest (MMFF)  entry “Manila Kingpin: The Asiong Salonga Story”,  with  Laguna governor E.R. Ejercito in the title role.

“Okay na. I talked to Mother (Lily) twice already,” E.R. said at the red carpet premiere of the movie at SM Manila Cinema 1 last Dec. 17. “Pumapayag na siyang mag-promote si Carla (ng film). Dapat nandito siya ngayon. May taping lang siya.”

Carla is E.R.’s leading lady in the film.

He explained, “Sabi ng manager ni Carla na may option siyang gumawa (ng pelikula) sa labas. Kaya akala ko, okay na lahat. ‘Yun pala may miscommunication between Arnold Vegafria, Carla’s manager and Mother Lily.”

Earliler, Roselle Monteverde, Mother Lily’s daughter shed light on the matter through a text message. It read, "No it's not true that we're not allowing her. It's her manager. He opted to have Carla promote “Yesterday Today Tomorrow."

On Director Tikoy Aguiluz


Another issue confronting the film is its director, Tikoy Aguiluz’s threat to seek legal action if his request to take out his name in all of the film’s promo and official materials is not granted.

He explained that besides the re-shoot and the re-edit, the film’s musical score was changed without his knowledge.

The Cinema Evaluation Board gave the film an “A” rating. 

“Magaling si Direk Tikoy,” says E.R. “He will be the best director.  Pero editing and music, hindi niya linya yon. Lahat ng magagaling na director, may ego trip.”

Despite this, the Laguna governor is still willing to work with Aguiluz.  In fact, they already have a next project: “El Presidente.”

“Kahit marami siyang binigay sa aking problema, gusto ko pa rin siya maging director,” E.R. reveals. Ako na lang ang nagbigay ng chance sa kanya na makabalik. PInaglaban ko siya sa mga producers ko.”

The Laguna governor is even thankful for Aguiluz’s contribution, not just to the film, but to himself (E.R.) as an actor.

“Pag nakatsamba ako rito (read: if he wins a Best Actor award), it’s because of Phillip (Salvador, E.R.’s acting coach and co-star) and Tikoy,” E.R. adds.

The moviegoers’ positive reaction to his acting during the premiere night gives E.R. more reason to hope that his MMFF win the jurors’ nod come awards night on Dec. 28.

“Ang Christmas wish ko ay sana manalo ng awards at sana makapagumpisa kami ulit ni Direk Tikoy ng ‘El Presidente’ next year. Ang target namin ay February mag-uumpisa.”

“Manila Kingpin: The Asiong Salonga Story” opens Dec. 25 in theaters nationwide.

With reports from Walden Martinez Belen