Impressive testament to ensemble acting

MANILA, Philippines - After lording it on the awards night of the current Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), and taking home practically every major and technical award, those who have not viewed Manila Kingpin may be wondering if the film is all that deserving. The Viva and Scenema production, which stars Laguna Gov. ER Ejercito (Erap’s nephew), is a straight ahead action film/biopic that takes the life of ’50s Tondo gang lord and self-styled Robin Hood Asiong Salonga, and turns said life into cinematic legend. And this early on, I can disclose that if you are an avid film lover, and want to see what possibilities lie for mainstream Philippine cinema, the film is truly worth the price of admission, and shouldn’t be missed.

I asked my cinema buff eldest son if he wanted to watch one of the MMFF films with me, and we decided on Manila Kingpin, because I had been told that I would be in for a rare surprise. From the opening credits alone, the digitally shot film, in black and white, had me glued to my seat, admiring the lighting and artful cinematography  kudos to director Tikoy Aguiluz, cinematographer Carlo Mendoza and the post-production and editing team for having me gape in admiration from the get go! And as the story unfolds, one is impressed by the sustained quality of this visual pageantry. While the influences fly thick and fast; Coppola, Scorsese and De Palma being the obvious ones, one can’t help but think that if one is aiming for a crime and action saga (epic being too grand a term), these are the big three to pay homage to.

Chronicling the rise and downfall of Salonga, the film is an impressive testament to ensemble acting, the standouts being Estregan himself (his scenes of Salonga in solitary confinement are his highlight), John Regala as Totoy Golem, Salonga’s main rival, Phillip Salvador as Salonga’s policeman brother and the luminous Carla Abellana as Salonga’s wife. Along with the rest of the cast, they make the film a treat to watch, even if we already know the story of Salonga’s life and times. The attention to period detail, the sets, costumes, make-up and hair styling, all point to the dedication and commitment the production company had to coming up with a quality product.

Yes, the film may not be perfect. For one, the fight scenes choreography can still be improved on   I don’t think that in a close quarters knife duel, it’s especially smart to turn your back on your opponent. But the handling of the intricately choreographed big scenes such as Salonga’s funeral march and the ensuing street gun battle, are top notch. What one leaves the movie house with is a deep respect for the intent and effort of all those involved with the film project. During the MMFF awards night, Ejercito spoke of reviving the action genre, and leaving a lasting impact on the future of Philippine cinema. With Manila Kingpin, one can safely say that he has his heart in the right place, and may very well be part of the new wave of directors, producers and actors who will make this substantive push forward an imminent reality.