M.O.N.A.Y.
By Alex J. Socorro

PBA… pulitiko, basketbolista at artista, PBA… so goes the jingle of Leo Martinez for his upcoming film M.O.N.A.Y., a comedy of its own kind featuring his naughty and clever character in the persona of Congressman Manhik-Manaog.

M.O.N.A.Y. is an acronym that stands for Mistakes Of the Nation Address… Yata. The movie aims to lend an insight on the cultural, social, political and economic ills of our country in a humorous way. Although it’s not clear if the story gives a solution, definitely this satire is full of original gags and comic situations.

Produced by, directed by, written by and also playing the lead role is Jun Urbano as his more popular alter ego, Mr. Shooli, the no-nonsense Mongolian who’s so fond of toying with Philippine politics. The story opens up in the Mongolian desert where Mr. Shooli is resting inside his yurt (Mongolian tent). A courier brings him a message from the Philippines, asking him to visit his ailing foster father. Prof. Garci, played by Jaime Fabregas, had taken care of the young Shooli so it is only proper for the Mongolian to oblige to the request.

“Kahit kami nga natatawa,” says Dante Kabigting, the assistant director. The Mongolian setting was shot on location in the lahar desert of Porac, Pampanga. “Marami rin kasing ad lib, yung mga wala sa script kaya pagbanat ni Shooli, nagugulat kami,” adds Dante to emphasize the hilarity of the movie.

Mr. Shooli, a.k.a. Jun Urbano by the coffin of Prof. Garci

Of course, the story wouldn’t be complete without Mr. Shooli’s obedient pageboy, the diminutive but lovable Kuhol played by Philip Supnet. Kuhol adds flavor to the sometimes knife-sharp humor. “Kaya nga bato-bato sa langit, tamaan wag magagalit,” cautions a production staff. The movie is rife of sarcastic spiels especially now that the elections is nearing. “Oo, maraming tatamaan sa mga kandidato,” the production staff assures with a laugh.

For his part, Congressman Manhik-Manaog has Brownie for his alalay. Essayed by Danny Pansalin, Brownie was the famous alalay of Don Robert Dinero in the popular sitcom Ober Da Bakod. Congressman Manhik-Manaog and Brownie will relive the Ober Da Bakod days with the familiar slap-on-the-forehead of Brownie whenever he fails to satisfy his beloved boss. As usual, the naughty and clever Congressman, being the boss proves to be always right.

The flow of the story is actually a travelogue in the eyes of a foreigner (the Mongolian Mr. Shooli). Right after arriving in the airport, a series of mishaps occurs thereby giving Mr. Shooli the chance to show his intellectual savvy in dealing with the crises. Different situations and different characters give the movie a semblance of caricature especially when Mr. Shooli meets his best friend, Congressman Manhik-Manaog of Lakas-Tama Party.

Mr. Shooli giving final instructions to Leo Martinez and Lucy Quinto

“Nahirapan din kami sa shoot,” Joel Apuyan, the associate director, complains. During the shooting, it was noticeable that Leo Martinez was continually mumbling. That is his technique of memorizing and verifying his lines. A single short scene, an encounter between Leo and Lucy Quinto who was a new widow, took a lot of rehearsals and two takes. “Medyo perfectionist kasi si Mr. Shooli, gusto niya exact sa iniisip niya ang eksena,” says Joel with a shaking head.

With a playdate for March 21, M.O.N.A.Y. boasts of an all-star cast with the participation of Boots Anson-Roa, Caridad Sanchez, Giselle Sanchez, Mat Ranillo III, Ricky Davao, German Moreno, Tia Pusit, Jimmy Santos, Rez Cortez, Bembol Roco, Jeric Raval, Ronnie Lazaro, Long Mejia, Hero Bautista, Ramon Zamora, Palito, Vincent Daffalong, Bayani Casimiro, Jr., Jograd La Torre, Berting Labra, Boy Alano, Mely Tagasa, Ernie Zarate, Flora Gasser, Richard Merk among those in the long list.