Presidential aspirant Manila Mayor Isko Moreno said he is honored that his biopic "Yorme: The Musical" will be the first Filipino movie to be shown in Philippine theaters during the pandemic.
"If this will be the first, I am honored to open the opportunity for local producers to take the risk and venture into the movies again," said Isko, during a press conference for his movie "Yorme" at the Max's Restaurant in Quezon City on Friday, Nov. 26.
Isko's biopic is the first Filipino film to be shown in local theaters after almost two years of delay due to the pandemic. His much-awaited movie will clash with big-budgeted foreign films in the box-office.
"Positive kasi ako eh. Malaking challenge ito dahil lalabas yung mga Marvel movies. Hindi ko tatalunin yun. Ako naman alam ko saan ang kahinaan ko or kung saan ako mag-e-excel. Malakas ang mga pelikula na yun.
"Malakas ang foreign films, but it is high time na sa ating mga kababayan na suportahan natin ang sariling atin. Hindi lang yung 'Yorme' kundi yung industriya itself: the Philippine movie industry. Yun ang susuportahan natin," Isko said.
Isko also said that he is not aiming for the film to be a blockbuster. What he wishes is for the movie industry to become active again.
"More than that, it is the industry that I am after, na finally, ang Philippine showbiz, ay makakapag-produce na muli ng mga pelikula, makakapag generate ng negosyo, trabaho. Unti-unti na rin magbubukas ang movie industry," he said.
"Ngayong lang muli magbubukas ang sinehan sa atin, after one year and nine months. So this is a signal to the investors in the Philippine movie industry to bankroll again."
He added: "It doesn't matter if the movie will succeed or not. What matters most is that there's a signal for the Philippine movie industry to open up again and invest in our talents. The next challenge is how the Philippine movie industry will become more competitive in terms of craftsmanship. Filipino talents are competitive."
Isko said that moviegoers can catch a glimpse of his younger days, when he used to be a garbage collector and eat food from the waste in Tondo.
"Kapag napanood ng mga kabataan ang 'Yorme,' sasabihin nila sa sarili nila na masuwerte pa pala sila dahil hindi nila inabot ang sinapit ni Isko na kumakain ng mga tira ng ibang tao," he said.
Isko encouraged the youth to love and respect their parents.
"Kung hindi naging mahigpit ang nanay at tatay ko sa akin, baka napariwara ako. So sana yung pagkilala natin sa mga nakatatanda, tulad sa magulang natin, manatili sana sa mga bata ngayon.
"Mahirap ang buhay ng marami nating kababayan. Sana kapulutan nila ng aral na kailangan nilang magpursigi, magsikap at huwag susuko. Ang isang basurero ay puwedeng maging alkalde, at kung papalarin, posible rin maging presidente ng Pilipinas."
"Yung ating kapaligiran, maraming hamon at maraming tukso lalo na sa drugs. But I did not. If I can do it, you can do it. Hindi ako na-peer pressure. Hindi ako nalulon sa solvent. I did not. Takot ako sa magulang ko at nakikinig ako sa magulang ko. Dalawa lang ang ending ng droga - makukulong ka or matitigok ka," Isko pointed out.
"Yorme: The Musical" will be shown on Dec. 1. Asked if his lovelife will be featured in the movie, Isko smiled and said: "Lovelife ko? Since time immemorial, hindi naman ako kiss-and-tell."