Unlike most film producers—then and now—who scrimp on their budget sa pagpapatawag ng presscon, ang tinaguriang “Golden Couple” na nasa likod ng noo’y napakaaktibong Golden Lions Films—ang mag-asawang Direk Carlo J. Caparas at Donna Villa—has always believed that the more (press attendees), the merrier.
Not only is it merrier, naniniwala kasi sina Direk Carlo J. at Tita Donna na ang bilang ng suporta mula sa press is no doubt a guarantee na lilikha ng box-office history ang kanilang mga pelikula. And each of those tatak-Carlo J. movies certainly did.
Mula noon hanggang ngayon, nakasanayan nang ipagkatiwala ng mag-asawa ang makinarya ng publisidad sa minamahal at iginagalang naming si Tita Ethel Ramos who led the El Oro group.
However, the publicity campaign was far from being a concentrated mango puree, ‘ika nga, dahil naniniwala sina Direk Carlo J. at Tita Donna na maaari pang pagkunan ng katas ng suporta ang ilang mga miyembro ng press towards a common objective: ang tulungan ang bawat inihahaing proyekto ng Golden Lions Films for it to roar the loudest at the tills.
Panahon ‘yon ng pamamayagpag ng mga babasahin ng Mariposa Publications na pag-aari ng publisher na si Boss Loren Banag (SLN) at ng punong patnugot na si Cristy Fermin. Dekada nobenta ‘yon kung kailan kumukutitap ang emperyo ng mag-asawang Caparas sa paggawa ng mga pelikula, mula sa mga kuwentong batbat ng gore and mayhem (The Vizconde Massacre, The Arandia Massacre, The Delia Maga Story, Chop-Chop Lady, atbp.) to gang rape (The Maggie de la Riva Story).
As a refreshing breather that would appeal to the kids, ang binansagang Massacre Queen na si Kris Aquino ay nakagawa ng pambatang pelikula, ang Tasya Fantasya.
But talk about the artistic fusion between crime of passion and fantasy, dito na pumapasok ang comeback directorial project ni Carlo J. Mula sa kanyang maimahinasyong kaisipan, lifted from the pages of his serialized komiks novel ay ang classic Lino Brocka film na Angela Markado that starred Hilda Koronel noong dekada otsenta.
Sa pagkakataong ito, Direk Carlo J. has full control of his material including his personal choice to reprise the role. Sa kanyang pananaliksik among the possible Angela Markado portrayers, Direk Carlo J. finally ended up with Andi Eigenmann.
Second generation privilege na matatawag ‘yon as the box-office director had worked with Andi’s mom, multi-awarded actress Jaclyn Jose in the life story of Celestina “Bubbles” Sanchez tungkol sa exploits nito in the notorious Ativan Gang.
But Direk Carlo J. has praises for the daughter. Bagama’t chip off the old block, kakaiba raw ang expression sa mga mata pa lang ni Andi. The unwed mom, too, has nice words for the veteran megman.
Ngayong araw ang nakatakdang showing ng Angela Markado mula sa pinagsanib na Viva Films at Oro de Siete. To date, to Tita Donna’s recollection, Angela Markado is among the less than 70 movies na pinangasiwaan nilang mag-asawa.
A much-vaunted return to the wide screen, tiniyak ni Tita Donna na, “Nagpahinga lang kami but we’re back… and we’re back for good!”
Again, sa panahon ngayon when the strictly invitational practice and biased exclusivity ang pinaiiral ng maraming naatasang magtawag ng presscon (when in fact, the producers couldn’t care less na gumastos in exchange for the press support—or as in the case ng mga tumatakbong pulitiko this election season), here’s a lesson of genuine generosity from Direk Carlo J. and Tita Donna.
The more, the merrier…the less, the greedier!
Pepperoni
by Ronnie Carrasco III
