01/05/2012 | 12:45 PM
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Manila Kingpin: The Asiong Salonga Story is a motion picture made by Scenema Concept International, distributed thru VIVA Films. It has an all-star cast led by Jeorge Estregan, Carla Abellana, Phillip Salvador, Joko Diaz, Ketchup Eusebio, Yul Servo, Baron Geisler, Jay Manalo, John Regala, Jaycee Parker, Ping Medina, Paloma, Valerie Concepcion, Dennis Padilla, and a whole lot more. Screenplay by Roy Iglesias and Rey Ventura, Directed by Tikoy Aguiluz and produced by Maylyn Enriquez and Leonard Villalon.
It is one of the seven entries on the 37th Metro Manila Film Festival held from 25 December 2011 to 7 January 2012.
The movie revolves around the life and times of one of the Philippines' "Public Enemy #1" in the name of Nicasio Salonga, popularly known as Hito, Asiong, and Manila Kingpin for his Robin hood-like tactics. He stole money from other gangs to give money to the poor. And self-proclaimed owning Tondo and protecting his people from the other gangsters and rivals. He turned out to be popular then and a Liberal party follower on how he managed to fight and brutally kill his enemy hoodlums. He faced a life sentence but managed to evade these punishments. How strong his advocacy for change, and even his untimely death of that fateful day of 7 October 1951.
However, this film was hampered by controversy inside its personnel and its releases. Movie Director Tikoy Aguiluz took legal action that removed his name from the reel, promotional materials that include even in the side of social media and the internet. His efforts were due to scenes that had been re-shoot without his consent. Another thing is the so-called "sabotage." In fact, this film was shown to only 17 out of 51 movie theaters in Metro Manila on Christmas Day of 2011, prompting lead actor, also known as Laguna Governor ER Ejercito, to cry "Sabotage!"
But here's my take:
