Erap revises movie script

MANILA, Philippines – Former President Joseph Estrada’s comeback movie with comedienne Ai Ai de las Alas will have to wait a little because he wants the script overhauled.

In an interview, Estrada said he does not like the original script, which will make him play the role of a former overseas Filipino worker and husband of Ai-Ai.

Estrada said he does not want to be a copycat of his son Sen. Jinggoy Estrada who played the role of a problematic OFW in the movie “Katas ng Saudi” which paired him with multi-awarded actress Lorna Tolentino.

The highly acclaimed “Katas ng Saudi,” one of the entries in the last Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), gave Jinggoy his first best actor award.

“The script is being changed because I do not want the synopsis. That is why I ordered to change it. It does not fit me. The role of a former OFW is Jinggoy’s and they might say that I’m just copying Jinggoy,” Estrada said.

“I asked them to change it. I told him that I am more handsome than Jinggoy,” Estrada said in jest.

Estrada said his starrer with Ai Ai is a comedy aimed at entertaining poor Filipinos.

“The poor Filipino people are already crying in their house because of their hardship in life. That is why I am doing a comedy movie. I don’t want to make them cry inside the movie houses. I really pity them, that is why I need to make them laugh,” Estrada said.

Shooting for the movie, still untitled and to be produced by Star Cinema, was supposed to start last month.

Meanwhile, Estrada will continue his “Lakbay Pasasalamat” in Cagayan de Oro, Bukidnon and Lanao del Sur on May 8. He said his itinerary includes the Dairy Congress in Cagayan de Oro.

“I was invited in the Dairy Congress in Cagayan de Oro. You will be surprised that there are Carabao Centers in Bukidnon and Zamboanga del Norte. It is a big boost to the livelihood of the farmers,” he said.

Estrada said that before the implementation of the carabao law, which he authored when he was still senator, farmers could produce only one liter of milk per carabao.

“But when the importation of the Bulgarian and Indian bull was authorized (through the passage of Carabao Act into law), the farmers are producing six liters of carabao milk per day. The price of carabao milk was raised from P20 per liter to P120 or six times, that is why the farmers have been very grateful for it,” Estrada said.