Action films were a staple in the local movie industry back in the day. Though they were mostly low-budgeted, the Pinoy action movies were highly entertaining because of their foreseeable crazy-ass plots and the witty exchange of dialogues between the characters. They were amusing because of the gun fight scenes that almost always took place in a forest, an empty warehouse, an abandoned ice factory, or on vacant sea docks. But as time went on, these Pinoy action films we so much loved, slowly wilted and died.
That’s why I wanna talk about MANILA KINGPIN: The Asiong Salonga Story, a slick gangster movie that hopes to resurrect the Pinoy action genre. Manila Kingpin is an official entry to the 2011 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) from Scenema Concepts and Viva Films that tells a story about the life of Nicasio Rodriguez Salonga, more notoriosly known as Asiong Salonga. Labeled as the Robin Hood of Tondo, he was considered as Public Enemy No. 1 during his time.
Laguna Governor ER Ejercito a.k.a. Jorge Estregan Jr. plays the title role and is joined by veteran actor Roldan Aquino, Phillip Salvador, Baron Geisler, Sam Pinto, Bangs Garcia, Carla Abellana, Yul Servo, and John Regala (one of my favorites).
Sidenote: This movie is a remake of the 1961 film which starred Former President Joseph Estrada and the 1978 film that featured the late Rudy Fernandez.
Cinematography was done by Carlo Mendoza, who last year did ROSARIO. The whole picture was shot in black and white to capture the look of the and feel of Asiong’s era, the post-World War II period from the late 1940s to the early 1950s. Seems like Director Tikoy Aguiluz did a good job of reviving classic noir.
They should do more historic films like this, rather than those superficial romantic comedies and stupid Vice Ganda crap. I hope this film gets critical acclaim, to revive what was once lost. I actually can’t wait to see it. I’m as excited as a porcupine meeting a pineapple.
Check out the trailer:
