Why ‘Sisterakas’ Soars At The Box Office

source: mb.com.ph

MANILA, Philippines – Beyond reaping millions of pesos since it opened on Christmas Day, the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) entry “Sisterakas” has somehow filled a gap for moviegoers yearning for a new breed of comedians following the death of Comedy King Dolphy last July.

Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Atty. Francis Tolentino, who also serves as MMFF chief organizer, said so on “Umagang Kay Ganda,” adding, “nakikita natin dito ‘yung trend [na] parang si Vice Ganda lumalabas na isa talagang malakas humatak… Nakikita natin ‘yung evolution ni Vice Ganda [as] top grossing movie artist,” referring to one of the stars of “Sisterakas.”

Vice remains a commercially viable entertainer. After “The Unkabogable Praybeyt Benjamin” (2011), the biggest grossing Filipino film of all time, the comedian starred in “This Guy’s In Love With You Mare” last October which registered P23 million sales on its opening day.

“Sisterakas,” which sees Vice trading wacky antics and banters with Kris Aquino and Ai Ai delas Alas, has earned P105 million in its first three days, according to a “text from booking” which Kris shared on Twitter.
Previous MMFF opening day leaders were “Ang Panday” (2009) with P16.9 million, “Si Agimat at Si Enteng Kabisote” (2010) with P31 million, and “Enteng ng Ina Mo” (2011) with 32.8 million. "Sisterakas" opened with P39.2 million as per MMDA stats.

But while “Sisterakas," as well as “Si Agimat, Si Enteng Kabisote at Si Ako” and “One More Try” dominate the tills, the internationally awarded “Thy Womb” is said to be facing possible pullout from movie houses due of its purported low returns.

Chairman Tolentino opposes the idea. “Dapat siguro ay hindi i-pull out dahil maganda po itong pelikula… Dapat po ay makita ng ating mga kababayan [na] may value po ito. Tingin ko po pagbigyan natin hanggang matapos po ito (festival) dahil malaking contribution din po ito sa ating sining at kultura,” he said.

He is optimistic that the major wins of “Thy Womb” (Best Actress for Nora Aunor, Best Director for Brillante Mendoza) and of the historical epic “El Presidente” (2nd Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor for Cesar Montano) at the awards night held Dec. 27 will help boost ticket sales.

“‘Yung awards [ay binigay] on the third day dahil makakatulong po ‘yun dun sa pelikula at malaman ng ating mga kababayan, manonood, kung ano'ng kahalagahan nung mga awards na binigay para makita rin po kung talagang patas ‘yung ating mga jurors. [Pero] ang ultimate judge po rito ay ang moviegoer,” said he.

source: mb.com.ph