“This is our first mainstream movie ng mga kapatid kong sina Harlene and Hero,” he says. “We first did the indie film, ‘Umuulan Umaaraw’ and we have another indie film na tapos na rin, ‘Burgos’ with Lorna Tolentino. I really want to help the industry kasi ang daming walang trabaho. So hopefully, mag-hit itong ‘Raketeros’ para naman we can make more movies and give more jobs to industry people.”
He’s happy that shooting “Raketeros” didn’t give them any problems. “Okay naman kasi ang director na napili namin, si Randy Santiago. Then puro professionals sina Ogie Alcasid, Dennis Padilla, Andrew E., Long Mejia at Joey Marquez na mga kasama namin dito. Walang naging pasaway sa set. Noong una, worried si Ogie na baka magkaroon ng sapawan, ng nakawan ng eksena. But thanks to Randy, pantay-pantay kami rito and everyone is professional. Lahat, may kanya-kanya ring highlights.”
We notice that their poster is reminiscent of George Clooney’s “Ocean’s Eleven” and some of the comedy in “Raketeros” recall the craziness of the hit series, “The Hangover”. “Hindi naman namin sila ginaya, pero siempre, dapat sumabay tayo with the times. Iba na ang concept ng comedy ngayon at hindi tayo dapat magpahuli.”
“Raketeros” opens today in theatres nationwide and Herbert’s wish is for it to be a blockbuster so they can come up with a sequel right away. “Gusto ko talaga to do more movies and who knows, baka next year, sumali kami sa Metro Filmfest,” he says.
What can he say about the squatters or informal settlers who said they’ll boycott “Raketeros” because he is ejecting them from their illegal homes, like in West Kamias. “What can I do? Decision nila yan, I respect them. Binibigyan namin sila ng bagong mga bahay sa relocation site sa Bistekville in Payatas pero ayaw nila. P950 a month lang ang bayad nila, pero mahal daw. Mas gusto nilang tumira sa ilalim ng tulay sa Kamias o sa mga lupang hindi naman nila pag-aari. Nakita naman nila ang interviews sa mga lumipat na sa Bistekville na naging mas maayos ang buhay ng families nila roon, pero nagmamatigas pa rin yung mga ayaw magpa-relocate.”
But as one writer says, the box office take of “Raketeros” won’t be affected just because these squatters will boycott it. “E, hindi naman nagbabayad ang mga yan sa sinehan at mas pirated DVDs lang ang pinapanood nila, no?”
