On October 25, director Jason Paul Laxamana recounted the 4-year process behind creating ‘Penduko.’
At the media conference for ‘Penduko,’ which LionhearTV covered, Laxamana detailed the history behind the upcoming Metro Manila Film Festival 2023 entry.
He noted that he received the project in 2019 but had to put it on hold because of the pandemic.
“Brief background lang, kailan ba–2019 noong parang sinalo ko ‘yung project ng Pedro Penduko, pero ang isang condition ko lang kay Boss Vic, gusto ko ako ‘yung mag-sulat. So I was allowed to create my own universe, to create my own characters.
“And first quarter ng 2020, we we’re already ready to shoot, nag-te-training ka na rin di ba? Tapos biglang nagka-pandemic noong first quarter ng 2020. So akala natin di ba? Three days lang, ‘yung quarantine, tapos after a while, one week lang, tapos two years na ‘yung inabot.”
He also talked about the changes in the production of the upcoming fantasy movie, from a film to a series and then to a prequel.
“So during ng buong pandemic na ‘yun, pinuntahan namin ‘yung Viva na gawin na lang siya as TV series na lang. Kung pwede bang gumawa ng movie na parang prequel, or sequel muna, kasi ‘yung original script po namin, that is very grand, it’s very epic, ‘yung gagawa ka ng ficitional village, magko-construct ka ng– it was really big in scale.
“So after ng pandemic, hindi na siya doable, sa current economy natin, so I had to shelve that material and develop a new one that is doable but still entertaining, at ayun po, ito po ‘yung naging resulta ng ginawa namin.”
As for the film’s lead, Matteo Guidicelli recalled how he got the offer for the role pre-pandemic.
“It was truly overwhelming–four years ag– when Viva assigned me this film. We’re already prepared. We started preparing for the fight scenes, the script, and etc. It didn’t happen, minsan dito sa showbiz, timing-timing din talaga. So, after four years to finally materialize, no, it’s finally coming out. It’s truly overwhelming, and it’s a big responsibility.”
‘Penduko’ stars Matteo Guidicelli, Albert Martinez, John Arcilla, and Kylie Versoza.
The cast also features Mark Anthony Fernandez, Phoebe Walker, Marissa Sanchez, Candy Pangilinan, Andrea Del Rosario, Arron Villaflor, Gene Padilla, Joe Vargas, Martin Venegas, Keagan De Jesus, Kurt Delos Reyes, Tyro Daylusan, Zombie Tugue, TJ Valderrama, Jobelyn Manuel, JC Tiuseco, Andrea Babierra, and Annika Co.
Under the direction of Jason Paul Laxamana, Viva Film’s ‘Penduko’ opens in cinemas nationwide on December 25 in the Metro Manila Film Festival 2023.
