Janno Gibbs, Mikoy Morales, and Jerald Napoles took turns sharing on Wednesday, November 10, what they think is the edge of their film Mang Jose from other superhero movies.
Gibbs, the star of Mang Jose, pointed that it highlights the Filipino culture where everything comes with a price.
“Naglipana ang mga Marvel movies, DC movies, s’yempre iba pa rin yung makikita mo ang sarili mong culture in a superhero movie. This is very pinoy, yung superhero lang na nagpapabayad is very pinoy. This is the superhero for us Filipinos,” he said during the film’s media conference.
Mang Jose is about a superhero who asks for payment from those he helps. His ability is energy absorption and redirection.
On the other hand, Morales believed that Mang Jose incorporating Filipino core values is an edge over other action-packed superhero films.
“Sa akin, si Mang Jose kasi, kung titignan mo talaga ang pinaka-story n’ya sa pelikulang ito, makikita mo kung gaano ka-in core pa rin sa’ting mga pinoy ang family values natin tsaka yung pagiging family-oriented. So in a way, makikita mo kung ano ang nagiging epekto nang pagiging ‘superhero’ ng isang magulang at ano ang epekto nito sa mga magiging anak n’ya.”
The actor also noted that Mang Jose showed how a man with superhuman ability juggles his responsibilities as a father and a superhero which eventually causes problems with his kid.
“Not necessarily na kung titignan mo sa pagiging superhero pero sa pagiging isang tatay or pagiging father figure na meron kang mga obligations or mga responsibilities ka na kung paano mo tahakin ‘yon. May certain sanga s’ya na nagiging problema or whims sa anak mo at sa pamilya mo. And yun ang depiction no’n, sobrang kinwento at in-elaborate sa pelikulang ito.”
Meanwhile, Napoles stressed how a superhero like Mang Jose, based on the hit Parokya ni Edgar song Mang Jose, was unique.
“I think yung premise kasi ng Mang Jose, from the song to the movie itself, is a one-of-a-kind. Kung bigyan mo ‘to ng subtitle at ipapanuod mo sa ibang bansa o kahit anong nation, nakakatawa ang idea at nag-iisa lang yung idea na ito lang yata—as far as I know—ito lang yung superhero na nagpapabayad.
“So that premise alone is powerful content.”
He also added that a superhero being paid would entice any producer.
“Kasi ang dami agad na conflict ang maiisip for the story ‘pag ganoon ang nangyayari. Alam mo kaagad na yung superhero, tao ‘di ba. So I think iyon yung pinaka, para sa akin, magandang premise at pinaka-bentahe ng pelikula. It’s the concept itself.”
When asked if they would be compensated for using their superpower to help the needy, Napoles said he would demand payment for risking his life to save others.
“Pero kung may chance na magpabayad as superhero, mukhang magpapabayad ako.”
However, the actor explained that he would choose who to seek payment.
“Pero pipiliin ko. Parang ano lang ‘yan abogado. Kung defense lawyer ka ba o prosecution ‘di ba? So mamimili tayo doon.”
Gibbs also agreed with Napoles, stressing that superheroes should be paid, just like some politicians.
“Napapanahon talaga sa pandemic na kailangan nating kumita, lahat kailangang kumita. Yung ibang pulitiko nga nababayaran eh, superhero pa.”
Catch Mang Jose on Vivamax, December 24. The streaming platform has an advanced screening on November 17 via pay-per-view for those wanting to see it early.
