Kris Aquino was an actress and producer in “Kampon.” Image: Facebook/Kris Aquino
Kris Aquino shared her disappointment on horror movie “Kampon” being removed from the Metro Manila Film Festival after its request for change of lead actor was denied.
Aquino, who is an actress and producer in the film, revealed Friday, Aug. 16, on Instagram that the MMFF executive committee had denied the change of lead actor from Derek Ramsay to Gabby Concepcion because the letter of request was sent five days late. If the movie pushed through with Concepcion, it would be disqualified from the festival.
“Pinalaki po ako to ABIDE by RULES. Hindi po kami ang lead producer ng (K)Ampon (I was raised to abide by the rules. We are not the lead producer of (K)Ampon),” she said.
“So unfortunately, my return to horror was not meant to be for MMFF 2019.”
Aquino explained in an Instagram post on Saturday, Aug. 17, that it was on Aug. 2 that Ramsay backed out of the project because of a conflict with his GMA contract. The next day, lawyer Joji Alonso of Quantum Films communicated with Aquino about the situation. On Aug. 4, Concepcion agreed to the project after talent manager Popoy Caritativo reached out to him.
Despite the relatively quick replacement, the letter submitted to the MMFF committee on Aug. 5 was beyond the deadline.
Responding to comments to stage an appeal, she said she did not want to use her influence in that manner. “2 members of the executive committee are friends, 1 is one of my closest friends—kaya hindi ko magawa (that is why I cannot do it).”
“Tulala ngayon kasi bukod sa hindi tuloy ang isang project na ginusto ko talaga, may ilang milyon din na sagutin kami sa MMFF bond, prod staff, crew, and artists,” she said.
(Dumbfounded now because besides a project that I really wanted not pushing through, there are some millions that need to be paid for the MMFF bond, prod staff, crew and artists.)
She also shared lessons learned from the situation. “Ano nga bang pakialam nyo sa movie na hindi matutuloy (What do you care about a movie that will not push through)? It matters to me because please learn from my pain, i hope—missed deadlines will matter a lot… holding on to your values & principles will define you NOW & in the future…”
“And it’s okay to not always be the brave girl when something that INSPIRED you is now gone, dahil ginusto mong patunayan na pantay pantay nga tayong lahat (because you wanted to prove that we are all equal).”
One silver lining is that a movie with her and Concepcion can still be in the making. She said, “I look forward to working with @concepciongabby with @regalfilms50 (where we were both privileged to start our acting careers) for a movie soonest.” /ra
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