A romp in the ’hood

Film review: Pakners

Fernando Poe. Jr. (FPJ) and world billiards champion Efren "Bata" Reyes team up for the first time in the movie Pakners, a light, fun and breezy romp through what Filipino masa audiences will recognize as their own neighborhood. This light-hearted fare set in recognizable territory has made Pakners a blockbuster, especially among "Da King’s" loyal following among the C and D crowds.

All the typical neighborhood characters are here – the shrill and brassy matrona (in this movie, a jeepney operator played by Tiya Pusit); the lakwatsa-prone bagets groupie (led by Oyo Boy Sotto) in the neighborhood billiards hall; the neighborhood sigas played to perfection by Romy Diaz and Dick Israel and their thugs; the soft-spoken baduy promdi played by Bata Reyes who just loves wearing floral-printed shirts; and the soft-spoken jeepney driver and widower Nanding Escalante played by FPJ.

In the story FPJ himself wrote, Nanding carries a chip on his shoulder about his shattered billiards career and his wife’s death – which he must redeem himself from by avenging an injustice done to him by a billards syndicate.

Both Bata and FPJ don’t have long-winded dialogues in Pakners because both pretty much allow Bata’s – and yes, even FPJ’s! – taku wizardry to do the talking and rivet the moviegoers’ attention. Viewers like this writer who only have a passing interest in billiards will surely come out of Pakners more appreciative of the artistry required by the sport. The movie showcases several billiards scenes, including an exciting finale against an American pair curiously named McGrady and Jordan.

Playing the promdi Manuel Dimayuga victimized by an illegal recruiter, Bata ends up a baker in FPJ’s neighborhood. It turns out he has more in his tampipe than his floral-printed shirts – he has his beloved taku, which, in a hilarious scene, not even a holdupper (played by Paquito Diaz) can take away from him. Bata is noticeably self-conscious in some of his scenes but hey, he isn’t an actor, he’s a billiards king! Still, Bata has enough charm to keep viewers engaged, thanks to his unassuming ways, his sheepish gesture of scratching his head, and of course, his by now famous toothless grin. And yes, he gets the chance to do the trademark FPJ rat-a-tat-a-tat birada on a goon.

In many ways, as Pakners shows, Bata and FPJ share characteristics that have made them quintessential Pinoy folk heroes. For one thing – and this is obvious on screen – they remain humble at heart, with nary a trace of being pompous, something that has tempted lesser mortals after becoming "kings" in their respective fields. (Compare, if you will, the swagger and egocentricity other "matinee idols" or "action stars" possess, and you’ll know how FPJ and Bata differ from the rest). For another thing, FPJ and Bata epitomize all those tatahi-tahimik Pinoy males in the neighborhood who, unbeknowst pala to others, have some special skill or power just waiting to be unleashed (you see such types in your neighborhood – the brilliant barangay basketball league player, the dama or the tong-its player and the like).

Besides FPJ and Bata, someone who also stands out in Pakners is January Isaac ("Lumen" of the TV Surf ad). Playing FPJ’s constant police hounder, she ends up – despite her taray and in usual Pinoy kilig fashion – falling in love with Nanding (FPJ). January clearly has the X-factor, and it’s safe to say you can expect greater things from her so long as her career is managed well.

Candy Pangilinan is also a blast to watch as Bata’s lady love. Their love story here is given a twist in that she is the one who falls head over heels for the toothless promdi baker. One memorable scene is when Bata visits Candy at home and she delivers a monologue in which she somehow manages to make it sound like Bata has proposed to her and she gives him her sweet "yes"! After which she reprimands Bata for being "napakabilis" in courting her.

Viewers will also enjoy cameo appearances by Ai Ai de las Alas, Rico J. Puno, and former basketeers Atoy Co and Yoyong Martirez.

Pakners is not an award-winning, artsy-fartsy, "socially relevant" ek-ek of a film. It is deliberately an unpretentious comedy with the simple intent of offering audiences wholesome entertainment. And because it lives up to its goal – judging from the hearty chuckles inside the moviehouse – Pakners is good enough reason to unwind.

Watch it and have fun.