"This is the best parting gift to my dad." 

Making his directorial debut this year with "Itutumba Ka Ng Tatay Ko," actor and director Janno Gibbs became emotional when remembering his scenes with his father, Ronaldo Valdez.

During a side interview with the press at the Viva Cafe on Jan. 17, Janno shared that this is the perfect time to release the film after the incident that happened to his father. 

"Someone said to me, Is it too soon to release the movie, after what happened? Ako I believe that this is the perfect time to release the movie kasi, sorry, ayoko na umiyak pero yung huling image of my dad wasn't nice. So hopefully this erases that. We will see him in all his glory in this film," Janno said. 

(Someone said to m, Is it too soon to release the movie, after what happened? I believe that this is the perfect time to release the movie because, I'm sorry I don't want to cry but the last image of my dad wasn't nice. So hopefully this erases that. We will see him in all his glory in this film) 

He also recalled that it wasn't a challenge to direct his dad in the film. 

"Hindi naman mahirap idirect si dad kasi nakita ko naman yung support niya, and I remember one instance na yung confrontation scene namin. I was rewriting the script bago kunan yung eksena, tapos pinadala ko na sabi ko bigay niyo na sa daddy ko para mapag-aralan niya na, and pagdating ko sa set, sabi agad ng dad sinong magaling na nagsulat nitong dialogue na ito ang ganda ehh, kinilig naman ako," Janno added. 

(It wasn't difficult to direct Dad because I saw his support, and I remember one instance was our confrontation scene. I was rewriting the script before shooting the scene, then I sent it and said to give it to my daddy so he could study it, and when I arrived on the set, my dad immediately said who wrote this dialogue well, this is beautiful, I was thrilled) 

It was a dream come true for Janno to direct his movie, and he did not have second thoughts about bringing his dad into the film making the character tailor fit for him.

Janno also added that his film was not the last project that his father did, before his passing Ronaldo filmed eSports-themed GG (Good Game), the horror film Poon and a movie with Beks Battalion.

“Itutumba Ka ng Tatay Ko” is the fulfillment of Janno Gibbs’ longtime goal to become a director. He’s been acting since mid-80s and has established himself as one of the country’s most bankable comedians. 

“I think parang kulang tayo sa comedy directors ngayon kasi from my experience, lahat ng comedy directors noon na nagdi-direct sa amin nina Andrew E wala na. Ang nagdi-direct na lang sa amin ngayon ay si Direk Al Tantay. I want to help the comedy genre para maituloy naman namin.”  

(I think we seem to lack comedy directors today because from my experience, all the comedy directors who used to direct Andrew E and us are gone. Directing us now is Director Al Tantay. I want to help the comedy genre so we can continue) 

“Itutumba Ka Ng Tatay Ko” is just the first of the many exciting titles from Viva Films this year. It also stars Anjo Yllana, Robb Guinto, TJ Valderrama, Ronnie Henares, Julianna Pariscova-Segovia, and more. It opens Jan. 24, in cinemas nationwide.  

Healing process 

When asked how he was doing, Janno revealed that they were still in the process of healing from the incident.

"Like I said, family is the best support. Hindi kami naghihiwalay muna now because we are still in the healing process. We are not fully recovered but I’m good,” He said. 

(Like I said, family is the best support. We are not separating now because we are still in the healing process. We are not fully recovered but I'm good) 

Earlier this month, Janno received a lot of criticism after taking his family on vacation during the holidays. Janno's kids had suggested cancelling the trip due to a recent event, but Janno decided to go ahead with the scheduled trip. He believed that the vacation would help his family cope with the recent incident.

"That travel which I got bashing , where they were also saying nagsasaya kaagad ‘di ba after what happened. But that was a scheduled trip. At first, one of my kids said to just postpone it because of what happened. But I said no, the more we should go through it. Let’s go ahead. We need it para makahinga, para makalayo sa tsismis and everything. So it really helped," he said. 

(That trip which I got bashing, where they were also saying they were having fun right after what happened. But that was a scheduled trip. At first, one of my kids said to just postpone it because of what happened. But I said no, the more we should go through it. Let's go ahead. We need it to breathe, to get away from gossip and everything. So it really helped)