'Rekonek' stars Andrea Brillantes, Charlie Dizon, and Gloria Diaz. MJ Felipe, ABS-CBN News
MANILA — This year, 'Rekonek' is the only Pinoy christmas themed movie in the line up of films participating at the Metro Manila Film Festival.
This Jade Castro masterpiece talks about love, family, friendship, forgiveness, justice, faith and obviously, reconnection - not just to your family, friends, enemies, ex-friends, ex-lovers but also to yourself.
The film is led by a stellar cast which includes Gerald Anderson, Andrea Brillantes, Charlie Dizon, Gloria Diaz, the Legaspi family and more.
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And while on the topic of Christmas and celebrating the season of perpetual hope, some of the cast members were asked about the trending and controversial statement by the Department of Trade and Industry that a Pinoy noche buena can fit in a 500-peso budget.
Gloria said, "Of course pwede." Then proceeded to mention, "and by the way, Cris (DTI Secretary Cristina Aldeguer-Roque) is a good friend of mine. She showed me all of what DTI has shown that you can get for 500. You can have corned beef, fruit salad, you can have pineapple juice na dinadagdagan ng maraming yelo and you can have pansit."
But her co-star Carmina Villaroel disagrees. "Hindi talaga. Sorry ha."
"I think it really depends sa pamilya kung gaano kalaki yung pamilya nyo. Kung ano ang gusto nyong ihain sa noche buena. Pero kung talagang pagkakasyahin at kung wala talagang choice, feeling ko naman kasya."
She added, "Tayong mga pinoy maabilidad. Gagawan natin ng paraan. Pero realistically, for me, challenging at hindi na talaga kasya yung 500. Maybe noong 1993 kasya."
Charlie Dizon, who is also part of the cast and already married to Carlo Aquino, agrees with Carmina.
"Hindi kasya yung 500. Kasi sa totoo lang, sa isang araw ang hirap nang pagkasyahin yung 500. Kahit sa dalawang tao, ang hirap nang pagkasyahin na makapuno ka ng tatlong meal in a day."
Carmina's husband Zoren Legaspi, who is also part of the cast, raised an interesting point.
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"Everyone is missing the point. The point is 'noche buena'. 'Noche buena' is a feast. Kung maka-second rice ka, third rice habang nakikipag kwentuhan ka. That's not a day or night na nagtitipid. It's a feast for everyone."
One of 'Rekonek' producers Gerald Anderson, understand the hard-knocked life for most Filipinos - having to spend their hard-earned 500 pesos to watch a movie, can be really tough and challenging. That's why he assures the public that 'Rekonek' is the best choice to watch this Christmas for the Filipino values and family-oriented entertainment it offers to the public.
'Rekonek' opens in cinemas December 25.