• ‘BATO, The Movie,’ ”Tol,’ and ‘Ang Sikreto ng Piso’ bombed at the tills
• ‘Ang Sikreto ng Piso’ earned only a little more that Php 200,000
• Present state of indie films in the Philippines

We Filipinos are accustomed to western movies with million-dollar budgets. Flashy action scenes, top notch CGI, and savvy marketing campaigns across all social media platforms have molded our minds to associate Pinoy indie films as “cheaper” film works.

Perry Escaño, director of “Ang Sikreto ng Piso,” whose movie only earned a little more than Php 200,000, expressed his sadness in the state of independent films here in the Philippines.

“It is so depressing how badly independent film productions are treated in the Philippines. Even though we have audiences watching in the cinemas, our film “Ang Sikreto ng Piso,” was pulled out by some operators and was replaced with Hollywood films after the first day.

“This is not the way to encourage local directors to create more movies. This is also not the way to educate the local movie audience as they need variety in their choices.

“This is also not the way to help industry workers because they need work to be able to put food on their families’ tables.

“The all-business mindset of cinema operators is killing the industry. We appeal to them to bring back to the movie theaters the local films they have pulled out after the first day. More people will come especially during the weekends. We just know. Do you think Hollywood films will help you in our future? Support our own Filipino films instead.”

The movies redundancy of using storytelling that has been done before might have played a factor to its failure in the big screen, so it is not yet clear if our favor to western movies played a big factor to its flop.

Unlike piso, bato movie flopped for an entirely different reason. people can’t help themselves from squinting their eyes in suspicion that the film might be a strategy to lionize Bato for the upcoming election this year in May.

Boycotted for the actor robin known for being pro duterte its timing of the release. netizens made fun of the movie for its failure to bring the audience on its release by sharing photos of its number of bought seats.

Si Bato at misis nya yung dalawa sa gitna.
Pinsan yung magkaaway sa harap.
Tas kapitbahay dati yung magjowa sa kanan.

Nilibre nya lahat yan. https://t.co/NEcYinPpeP

— Ethel (@econcepcion) February 1, 2019

• Jodi Sta. Maria hinted about the movies that she’s about to be a part of.
• That includes a Hollywood movie, but the details remained undisclosed.

Actress Jodi Sta. Maria just came back from her vacation with son Thirdy Lacson wherein they traveled in Finland and Sweden.

She shared that it was Thirdy’s request to try husky sledding.

“First time kaming makapag-try ng husky sledding and at the same time, we were able to drive a reindeer sled. We were able to get a reindeer driver’s license.”

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Just got back from our family holiday. Ibang-iba yung experience sa Finland and Sweden dahil hindi naman nagyeyelo dito sa ‘tin sa Pilipinas. Tulad nalang ng paglalaro namin ni Muy sa snow. Super na-enjoy namin yun. Minsan parang ako pa yung bata kaysa sa anak ko. Haha! ❤️ It’s as if time stands still when you watch the snow fall. Mapapa-muni muni ka din sa lamig: Pag makapal na yung snow at hindi ka makalabas, you can either shovel, or make snow angels. Just like in life – When faced with trials, you can grumble about how hard the situation is, or you can keep a positive outlook, see the good, and make the most of the experience. Sana naging maayos at payapa ang Christmas and New Year break niyo para makabalik tayo sa mga trabaho natin ng recharged at inspired. Kayo, kamusta ang pasok ng New Year niyo? ❤️

A post shared by Jodi Sta.Maria (@jodistamaria) on Jan 8, 2019 at 3:41am PST

A reindeer driver’s license is required for an individual to be able to drive a reindeer sled in Lapland. There are only two modes of transportation in the area: ski and the said sled.

Jodi will be a part of three movies. One of which is Second Coming wherein she’ll play as the wife of Marvin Agustin.

“It’s a mix of drama, thriller, and horror. Ano ba ang naghu-haunt sa pamilya ito? Totoo ba itong multo?”

She has also finished filming with Laurice Guillen for the movie Man and Wife.

The third one is Clarita, which is still in the middle of the principal photography.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BsP82u6hhkP/

But aside from that, Jodi has hinted about a Hollywood film that she’s about to be a part of.

“May gagawin tayong international film very soon. Pero wala pa ako sa posisyon to spill the beans.

“But I am really praying about it. Hollywood levels! Masyado akong kinikilig kasi parang hindi ko alam kung paano sila kakaharapin. Baka ma-tongue-tied ako. Baka manganga ako, ma-starstruck ako.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/BsF8GPxB04F/

But for now, she’s back to filming her series Mea Culupa that is set to air this 2019. She’s going to act alongside John Arcilla, Janice de Belen, Bela Padilla, Sandino Martin, Ketchup Eusebio, Kit Thompson, Ivana Alawi, and Tony Labrusca.