Allen Dizon at his best in ‘Magkakabaung’

We were among those invited to the special screening of “Magkakabaung (The Coffin Maker)” held December 9 at the Greenbelt Cinema 3 in Makati City. The said movie won the NETPAC Award at the third Hanoi International Film Festival and gave actor-producer Allen Dizon his second international best actor trophy.

The people behind “Magkakabaung” have every reason to be proud as they came up with a good film. This is the best work of director Jason Paul Laxamana whose earlier works were “Astro Mayabang” (a Cinema One Originals entry) and “Babagwa,” one of the most talked-about entries at the Cinemalaya last year.

This is also the best performance of Allen, and we can say that he has a good chance of winning the best actor award at the New Wave Category of the MMFF of which “Magkakabaung” is one of the five official entries. The New Wave entries will be shown in cinemas from December 17 to 24.

What is good about “Magkakabaung” is that it was made not as a tearjerker or as a melodrama, but yet one would feel the pain of Allen’s character after his daughter died because he gave her the wrong medicine. The movie also touched on other issues like the practice of some funeral parlors of selling the cadavers of those who can’t afford the stiff price of funeral expenses to medical students. Since Allen has no money to pay for the hospital bill of his daughter, the funeral parlor owner (Emilio Garcia) gave him money but he has to avail of the services of Emilio’s funeral parlor.

Since he didn’t know his daughter is allergic to antibiotics, he unwittingly caused her death due to self-medication. You can feel guilt and anguish that Allen is going through. One of the most touching scenes in the movie is when his dead daughter suddenly talked and asked when she is going back to school.

The movie’s final scene which saw Allen doing his best to give her daughter a decent burial after making her a coffin out of scrap wood will make you feel a lump in your throat. The movie was directed very well by Jason Paul Laxamana who also wrote the script. We feel it has a good chance to win the best picture award at the New Wave category of MMFF.

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Veteran comedian and host Bossing Vic Sotto is undisputably one of the country’s most popular and timeless stars both on TV and on the big screen.

From his early musical songwriting genius exhibited during his VST and Co. days, to being part of the successful Tito, Vic and Joey triumvirate, to hosting the longest-running variety show ever in Philippine history “Eat Bulaga,” to being known the nation over as the quirky and loveable Enteng Kabisote in “Okay Ka, Fairy Ko!” – indeed, Vic ’s star power cannot be doubted. His is what most of us believe to be a Midas Touch, turning everything he touches into box-office gold.

This year is no exception, as he takes the 2014 MMFF by storm via his latest entry, “My Big Bossing” posed to create another golden opportunity by turning his monicker “Bossing” into a franchise, much like what he accomplished in the “Enteng Kabisote” series.

“My Big Bossing,” taking off from last year’s “My Little Bossings” (starring Ryzza Mae Dizon and James “Bimby” Aquino Yap), is in every respect the biggest entry in the MMFF roster as it gathers together a powerhouse cast and first-rate film directors in the country. Its three-episode format allows for the unprecedented collaboration among three of the country’s biggest studios: Octoarts, M-Zet and APT Entertainment.

“My Big Bossing” boasts of the largest budget in the MMFF race, with a production powerhouse very much up to par with its leads—which includes Marian Rivera, Nikki Gil, Pauleen Luna, child star Ryzza Mae Dizon, Jose Manalo, Wally Bayola, Manilyn Reynes and the up-and-coming Alonzo Muhlach, son of former child star Niño Muhlach (who is also in the cast).

Bossing Vic has, time and again, proven his franchise-making power. We’ve seen it since the days of  “Iskul Bukol” back in the late 70s and which, decades later, was still keeping viewers entertained as evidenced by 2008’s “Iskul Bukol: 20 Years After.” This year, he is at it again with “My Big Bossing.” The three stories—titled “Sirena,” “Taktak” and “Prinsesa”—has the country’s most distinguished directors at the helm. Tony Y. Reyes, Marlon N. Rivera and Bb. Joyce Bernal direct each episode, respectively.

There will be no lack of excitement as Vic works his magic in Philippine theaters this Christmas, and there can be no doubt that audiences will keep coming back for more.