Pacquiao, the drama actor

MANILA, Philippines - National Artist Carlo J. Caparas makes his directorial comeback, assembling a stellar cast of film actors and showbiz personalities led by Manny Pacquiao in a new movie that could pack Filipinos once again in theaters nationwide.

The movie, Pangarap kong Jackpot Trilogy, gathers for the first time film veterans Eddie Garcia, Gina Pareño, Tommy Abuel, Joel Torre and Pen Medina together with Jake Cuenca, Mark Herras, Baron Geisler and Megan Young.

“You have seen Manny Pacquiao, the boxer. Now, see Manny Pacquiao, the dramatic actor,” said Carlo J. as he presented the People’s Champ and the other actors in a press conference at the Best Western Hotel in Makati.

“The Filipinos will be surprised to see a different Manny (Pacquiao) this time. Our Champ can surely act,” the proud director added.

Carlo J.’s wife, film producer Donna Villa, said the movie was their humble share in national efforts to revive the moribund Filipino film industry.

Pangarap kong Jackpot Trilogy also features the children of Carlo J. and Donna — CJ and Peach — who agreed to appear in a film project for the first time.

“We hope to do our part in bringing back the glorious days of Philippine cinema. We owe our success to Filipino moviegoers,” Donna added.

Carlo J. and Donna had worked in tandem before in several film projects, chalking up a series of blockbusters unrivaled to this date.

The couple thanked the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) for supporting their new project, saying the agency helped a lot in the research of materials used in the development of stories for the film.

The project is part of PCSO’s year-long celebration of its 75th anniversary this September.

Pangarap kong Jackpot features three stories of despondent men and women who with the help of friends and loved ones, did not allow poverty and squalor to dampen their quest for resurrection.

In a story titled Sa Ngalan ng Busabos, Manny Pacquaio stars as Abel, a street urchin who was forced to a life of crime at a tender age. He yearned to get rid of his evil ways only after he found a foster family who treated him as their own.

“Manny has his shares of drama and action in the movie since he, as Abel, has to protect his newfound family from the dangers of gangs in their community while struggling to decipher the good and the bad in his personality,” Carlo J. pointed out.

Eddie, on the other hand, plays the lead role in the story titled Hiwaga ni Lolo Hugo about a house caretaker who lives in mansion believed to be haunted by evil spirits. The story behind the haunted mansion was unearthed only after a group of teenagers made a bet among themselves on who could stay in the house the longest.

In Hawak Kita, Hawak Mo Ko, Jake and Megan share the lead roles as outcasts whose fate intertwined after a chance encounter while both trying to end their lives.

“Jake is a serious actor. He is very good at both drama and action. This kid will definitely go places someday,” Carlo J. said.

“In fact, all the young stars in this movie have proven their mettle in acting. I just hope that they would be given more projects in the future to further hone their craft,” he added.