The movie Bato opened in theaters last Wednesday despite calls from some movie workers call to boycott it, for obvious reasons.
First, the former PNP Chief is gunning for a seat in the Senate in the coming midterm elections. Second, the actor portraying the one time controversial yet colorful law enforcement personality is Robin Padilla, a known supporter of President Rodrigo Duterte and his government and policies. And, third, the movie is screening weeks before the actual campaign period set by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) for senatorial candidates.
Robin Padilla, during the press conference for the movie at the Valencia Events Place (Bato’s distribution is being handled by Regal Films), appeals for reason amid the call from certain sectors in the industry (mostly known anti-Duterte) to boycott the movie.
He said, “The boycott will negatively affect those who worked at the ALV (Arnold L. Vegafria) produced movie.”
According to him, the movie is just about than the rise of a young police rookie in Davao to becoming the country’s PNP Chief under the administration of President Duterte.
It also shows his hard work, ideals, and principles, and the constant struggle of a policeman, such as having to face life-changing decisions that could affect many lives including those of innocent ones.
It also shows that De la Rosa or Bato is just like any other human, struggling with doubts that confused him before finally realizing that his choice to be a policeman is not just choosing a profession, but answering a deeper calling to make a difference, such as to make people’s live safe.
That says Padilla, which eventually made him understand his deeper purpose in life.
This movie also stars Beauty Gonzales, Alvin Anson, Archie Alemania, Chanel Morales, Efren Reyes, Gardo Verzoza, Gina Alajar, Jess Mendoza, Joko Diaz, Jun Hidalgo, Kiko Estrada, Kiko Matos, Manuel Chua, Marx Topacio, Menggie Cobarrubias, Mon Confiado, Polo Ravales, and Ricky Davao.
Padilla, after being presented with the offer to star in the movie and after going through the screenplay based on the life of the former Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Ronald “Bato” de la Rosa, was easily won to be on board the project. He said, the life of Bato is inspiring and should be seen by many Filipinos here and abroad.
“Isa itong kwento ng isang ‘Cinderella man’ dahil naiangat nya ang kanyang sarili mula sa kahirapan n’ung siya na musmos pa lamang,” the actor said. “At lahat ng ito ay dahil sa kanyang pagpupunyagi.”
Padilla is also hopeful that Bato will push for the revivification of the Pinoy action movies. “Matagal-tagal na ring panahon na namahinga ang mga action movies, kaya itong Bato ay isang malaking pagkakataon na maibalik natin ang ganing klase ng pelikula sa ating bansa.”
And he’s just hoping that movie audiences will give the film a chance, not for whatever the bashers are throwing at it as a political propaganda, but as a movie that deals with the struggles of one personality to rise and become the person that he thinks he could be among his fellow men.
Bato is screening in theaters nationwide.
* * *
DOT announces winners of tourism campaign contracts
As the Department of Tourism (DOT) welcomes 2019 with many changes, one thing remains the same: it will always be “more fun.”
Retaining the tagline: It’s More Fun in the Philippines, Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo Puyat confirms plans to launch its refreshed campaign internationally in the first quarter of 2019 with a spotlight on sustainable tourism.
In the fourth quarter of last year, the DOT posted four major projects, up for bidding by interested advertising agencies. These are the (1) creative agency to refresh the “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” branding campaign, (2) media planning and buying agency for the strategic international placements of the branding campaign, (3) creative agency to communicate sustainable tourism in the Philippines and (4) digital marketing agency to promote the Philippines as a model of sustainable tourism in Asia.
After three months and two rounds of highly competitive bidding, advertising agency BBDO Guerrero Inc. was awarded the contract to “refresh” the “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” branding campaign and complementing them is Touch XDA Inc. which will serve as the media planning and buying agency that will steward the campaign’s strategic international placements.
DDB Philippines Inc. was chosen to promote sustainable and responsible tourism in the country, using a comprehensive research study as basis, while BBDO Guerrero Inc. will be responsible for the development of a digital public relations campaign for the Philippines as a premiere sustainable tourism destination.
Under her leadership, the DOT, for the first time, will market the Philippines as one of the pioneering countries for sustainable tourism. This direction puts a focus on carrying capacity, biodiversity preservation, and sustainability in the tourism industry.
* * *
Visit www.isah.red for more stories. Follow me on Facebook (@isahvr), Twitter (@isahvred) and Instagram (@isahvred). ΙR
