Image: Instagram/@erikmatti, @johnarcilla
Erik Matti aired his frustration over John Arcilla and Star Magic’s failure to acknowledge the renowned director’s film “On the Job: The Missing 8” in their Instagram posts about the Senate Resolution that commends the veteran actor for winning the Volpi Cup.
Arcilla won in 2021 the Volpi Cup for Best Actor at the Venice Film Festival in Italy, for his acclaimed portrayal in Matti’s “On the Job: The Missing 8.” He is the first Southeast Asian actor to bag the acting honor in the prestigious film festival.
For such feat, the Senate adopted a resolution praising Arcilla, which was filed by Sen. Lito Lapid. Arcilla was recognized as “living proof of the world-class talent, skill, and passion of the Filipino, which brings inspiration to aspiring artists and creative individuals in the country.”
On his Instagram page on Friday, Feb. 24, Matti showed screenshots of Arcilla’s and Star Magic’s posts about the resolution, which mentioned neither Matti’s name nor the film’s title.
“Ano kayang movie nakapanalo kay [John Arcilla] ng Volpi Cup? Ni hindi man lang nila mamention ni [Star Magic] ‘yung movie na nagbigay sa kanya ng parangal?” Matti said. (For what movie did Arcilla win the Volpi Cup? [Why] couldn’t Star Magic mention the film which won him the award?)
“Medyo inexpect ko na yun sa [ABS-CBN] na di mag-mention kasi nung may prangkisa pa sila gano’n na sila e. ‘Pag ‘di pabor sa kanila, dedma,” he continued. “Pero ‘yung mismong artista ng pelikula ‘di man lang mamention ang movie? Pwera na kaming mga gumawa, OK lang ‘di masabi pero sana yung movie man lang i-acknowledge.”
(I would somehow expect it from ABS-CBN because they have been this way even when they still had a franchise—if it does not favor them, they ignore it. But why can’t the actor mention the movie? It is fine to leave us, who made the film, out but at least acknowledge the movie.)
Matti lamented how Arcilla was able to mention his sponsors but supposedly left out the film that led him to winning the acting honor.
“Ako na magsasabi, ‘Salamat sa ‘On the Job: The Missing 8’ na movie na binigyan ako ng pagkakataon magawa ang role ni Sisoy Salas na ikinapanalo ko ng Venice Film Festival Volpi Cup award nung [2021],'” the director added. “Bastos kayo!”
(Let me be the one to say it, “Thank you to the film “On the Job: The Missing 8″ which gave me the opportunity to play the role of Sisoy Salas, and to win the Venice Film Festival Volpi Cup in 2021.” You are all disrespectful!)
A few hours after Matti shared his sentiment, the talent agency noticeably edited its caption and included the director’s name as well as the film title in its post.
Arcilla, for his part, credited Matti, the film and its producers in a separate post. /ra