The continuing slump in the local movie industry is prompting Senator Ramon ‘Bong’ Revilla Jr. to revisit the Eddie Garcia Act.

Passed on May 24, 2024, the law “requires a regular review of the working conditions in the industry to ensure that workers are provided opportunities for gainful employment or work engagements and decent income, and are protected from abuse, harassment, hazardous working conditions and economic exploitation.”

Republic Act No. 11996 is aimed at protecting workers in the Philippine film and TV industry by ensuring decent work, social protection, and collective bargaining rights.

Although he was among the first lawmakers to pass the bill, Revilla is now thinking how certain measures provided in the Act have impacted on the TV and movie industries.

The law, he said, has compromised senior actors who have lost jobs due to a provision that their work hours have to be regulated. The same is true for child actors.

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At a March 12 press conference about exes and other former lovers, Kim Molina and Jerald Napoles admitted that they have broken up three times in the past.

“Shooting a bed scene in one of our movies led to a reconciliation,” Kim said, half-jokingly. Kim and Jerald have been building a body of comedic work on film, making them the tandem to beat in a genre that is fast becoming their exclusive territory.

It all started with the surprise hit, “Jowable,” quickly followed by a succession of more comedy hits: “Ang Babaeng Walang Pakiramdam,” “Ikaw at Ako at Ang Ending,” “Girlfriend Na Pwede Na,” “Sa Haba ng Gabi,” “Seoulmeyt.”

Starting April, KimJe is back on the big screen in Viva  movie “Un-Ex You,” the story of a 35-year-old single desperately looking for a man who can give her a child. She has been diagnosed with a rare case of premature menopause, thus sending her in heightened panic mode.

"Un-Ex You" will be shown in cinemas beginning April 9.

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PASSERBY: How time flew by. Julia Montes just turned 30. Celia Rodriguez is 87. Both are March-born actors, based on Facebook posts.

Musical film Sinagtala, starring Rhian Ramos, Glaiza de Castro, Rayver Cruz, Matt Lozano, and Arci Muñoz, opens April 2. Directed by Mike Sandejas, the film reveals the challenges faced by band members in their pursuit of stardom and happiness.