“Si Randy, icon na yan sa OPM (Original Pilipino Music),” says Ogie Alcasid. “But with ‘Raketeros’, he now makes his mark as a director. Si Dennis, takot sa tubig, pero pinalangoy niya sa tubig in one scene. Yung brand of comedy na gusto naming ma-achieve, nakuha niya talaga.”
“He has directed me sa TV before kaya kilala ko na siya,” says Dennis Padilla. “Remember, naging Hawi Boy pa niya ko sa TV so friends na kami since 1987. Isa siyang tunay na kaibigan. A true professional kaya masarap katrabaho.”
“Totoo yun,” adds Andrew E. “He’s a professional comedy director. First time ko to work with him and it’s very memorable. Wild siyang mag-isip and I learned a lot from him. One thing I can say, lagi siyang mas bihis na bihis pa sa’ming mga artista niya. Mas fashionista siya kaysa sa’ming lahat.”
“E, gusto ko rin namang pasalamatan itong mga dinirek kong artista dahil hindi nila ako pinahirapan,” says Randy. “Walang pasaway sa kanila. Basta ang sabi ko sa kanila, huwag silang magpapatawa dahil ang situational ang comedy namin. Lahat sila magaling, pero sila mismo, natatawa sa mga eksenang ginagawa nila.”
The “kulitan” between the cast members went on. Asked who’s the bagets star they’d like to be paired with, Ogie said it’s Julia Barretto, the daughter of Dennis Padilla, to which Dennis retorted: “Ito na po ang last movie namin together ni Ogie”.
Dennis said he hopes Mayor Herbert will give him the chance to direct also. “Sige, para madirek mo ang ex-wife mong si Marjorie at mapagbati mo ang magkakapatid na Barretto. Si Randy naman, pagbabatiin sina Raymart at Claudine.”
What can Randy say about this? “I don’t want to meddle kasi kunsa’kin mangyayari yun, ayoko ring pakialaman nila ako.”
What about the rumor that Raymart hurts Claudine physically? “No one believes that. As his brother, I know Raymart and he’s not the type na nananakit. Di niya kayang gawin yun. Example na lang yung nangyari with Tulfo, he defended Claudine. Dahil dun, napaaway siya.”
He admits Raymart has left his home with Claudine. “Palipat-lipat siya. Minsan, nasa akin, minsan na kay Rowell, minsan nasa mother namin. Paikut-ikot lang.”
Randy and his stars obviously have great camaraderie between them and Herbert is wishing their movie would start the production of more comedies so that all comedians who don’t have work now will be active once again. “Raketeros” will be released by Star Cinema on August 7 as part of their 20th anniversary offering. It also stars Long Mejia, Joey Marquez, Sam Pinto, Ryan Bang, Wendy Valdez, RR Enriquez, Regine Angeles, Tippy Dos Santos, Rodjun Cruz, Eula Caballero, Karen Reyes and Marki Stroem.
