‘Here comes the Groom’

From left: Xilhouete, KaladKaren and Awra Briguela.

(We are running this guide to help you plan your summer moviegoing activity. The 1st Summer Metro Manila Film Festival runs from April 8 to 18.)

Written and directed by Chris Martinez; stars Enchong Dee, Eugene Domingo, Maris Racal, Keempee de Leon, Kaladkaren, Awra Briguela, Gladys Reyes, Miles Ocampo, Tony Labrusca, Fino Herrera, Nico Antonio and Xilhouete; produced by Quantum Films, Brightlight Productions and Cineko Productions

This fantasy-comedy film—the long-awaited sequel to the 2010 cult favorite “Here Comes the Bride”—starts off the same way as its predecessor: A solar eclipse triggers a mysterious magnetic field along a rural highway. A freak vehicular accident occurs, and the people involved realize thereafter that their souls now inhabit different bodies.

From left: Keempee de Leon, Enchong Dee and Maris Racal.

his time around, the SUV of the soon-to-wed Junior (played by Dee) and his pious family crashes onto a van carrying transwoman Wilhelmina (Kaladkaren) and her fellow beauty pageant konteseras.

Riot ensues when they realize later on that soul-swapping occurred between Junior and Wilhelmina; Junior’s dad Rodrigo Sr. (De Leon) and Wanda (Xilhouete); and Blesilda (Racal) and Whitney (Briguela).

Dee, who has received praise for his performance and is touted as a best actor frontrunner, said he couldn’t have given justice to his character without KaladKaren’s help.

“It’s a good experience for me as an actor to have an opportunity to work with such a generous artist,” Dee said. “I have been looking for a project like this for the longest time… it’s something timely and with a heart.”

Read more...