MMFF 2023: Matteo Guidicelli’s ‘Penduko’

Check out our live updates to get the latest on the MMFF 2023!

Guidicelli as Pedro Penduko —VIVA FILMS

(We are running this guide to help you plan your movie-viewing activity during the holidays. The 49th Metro Manila Film Festival, or MMFF, Christmas Edition runs from Dec. 25 to Jan. 7, 2024.)

Written and directed by Jason Paul Laxamana; stars Matteo Guidicelli, Albert Martinez, John Arcilla, Kylie Verzosa, Mark Anthony Fernandez, Candy Pangilinan, Arron Villaflor, Phoebe Walker, JC Tiuseco; produced by Viva Films, Epik Studios, Ninuno Media, Mediaquest Ventures.

“Penduko” is a modern-day reimagining of National Artist Francisco V. Coching’s 1954 beloved comic-book hero.

The story follows Pedro (Guidicelli), a young man imbued with mythical and supernatural powers—something that he and his father Apo Tisot (Arcilla) inherited from their ancestors. But while Apo Tisot used his gift to become a famous albularyo and help the sick and needy, Pedro has other things in mind.

Pedro cuts ties with his father, leaves his hometown and moves to the city in hopes of realizing his dreams. However, Pedro’s luck quickly runs out and has to take odd jobs to make ends meet.

But as luck would have it, Hatinggabi, an underground organization that offers albularyo-for-hire, gets wind of Pedro and his special abilities. The company’s owner, Gat Blanco (Martinez), offers Pedro a job at the company where he gets to further hone his talent. Pedro is quick to impress everyone. But behind the praise and admiration is simmering jealousy.

Pedro’s training is eventually put to the test when witchcraft-wielding forces arrive and endanger the lives of many, including those of his loved ones. Now, he must use and maximize his full arsenal to ward off the enemies along the way.

“The difference of ‘Penduko’ from previous adaptations is that it correlates to the modern world—the influence of social media, the internet and what’s happening around us today,” Guidicelli said. —ALLAN POLICARPIO