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Written by Bibeth Orteza, it’s a heartwarming story of a grandfather (Robert) about to go bankrupt who goes back to his roots in Tondo with his two grandchildren (Cris and Rafa Siguion Reyna) where they undergo shocking but positive life-changing experiences.
The film was shown at the Toronto International Filmfest a few weeks ago and is also an entry in the coming Hawaii International Filmfest where it will be shown in Oahu on November 8 and 9. Bibeth happily reports that the reaction of both Pinoy and foreign viewers in Toronto is very encouraging. “The Filipinos there uploaded the screenings on youtube and you’ll see it’s very well accepted,” she says.
Robert Arevalo says the next day after the screening, he was walking in the street when a foreign couple recognized him and approached him. “They even asked for my autograph,” he says. “The woman turned out to be a TV news producer and they were effusive with their praises for the movie.”
How come he was not present at the Cinemalaya Awards Night so he was not able to accept his best actor trophy in person? “Natakot kasi ako. Kung maibabalik ko lang ang panahon, pupunta na ako sa awards night.”
One of the reasons why you should see “Hari ng Tondo” is the touching relationship of Robert with his two apos, which makes it a heartwarming family movie with lots of heart. Also a winner is his rendition of “Bituing Marikit” while serenading Liza Lorena, whose character will later turn out to have a shocking twist.
Carlitos was not present at the presscon hosted by Star Cinema because he’s back as a professor teaching filmmaking classes at the Tisch School in Singapore. This is his last year in his contract with them and we can expect him to go back to making more films when he returns home for good.
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