By NOEL D. FERRER
Prior to writing this feature on understanding the Pinoy psyche that made “Rewind” the mammoth box office hit that it is now, we gathered reactions from people who have seen the film and here are their insights.
Madonna Tarrayo: “I think it has the elements of a film that is tailored fit for the season and the festival – family drama, cast, story, soundtrack and the element of relatability. It’s the first time we see showbiz royalty – ‘DongYan’ – star in a film after getting married. Marian is able to navigate the space of social media, increase her numbers – all in perfect timing – and convert it to most probably sales, cuts across classes, and the power of well-oiled infrastructure called Star Cinema especially for marketing and distribution. Star Cinema knows its audience very well.”
Joyce Ramirez: “It’s a cross between the formulaic Filipino family theme x KDrama style. Plus you have A List superstars and reel/real life couple DongYan starring in it for the first time in ages. The result? Bravo, Star Cinema , APT & AgostoDos.”
Erick Salud: “Simple and relatable. Viewers don’t need to delve deeper into the why’s. They paid not to think anymore but more to relate, correlate with their experiences in life.”
Ever heard of the saying, “Life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans?” Well, “Rewind” takes that sentiment to a whole new level, and we all are still reeling from the emotional rollercoaster it put us on.
Kudos, too, to the topnotch cinematography of Neil Daza and yes, the score of Francis Concio with that very apt theme song “Sa Susunod Na Habangbuhay” from Ben & Ben.
The reviewers are right: from the importance of forgiveness and selflessness to the dangers of our workaholic tendencies and the power of faith, “Rewind” leaves us with a treasure trove of takeaways.
With this standard, we are all excited as to how the next film offerings will turn out to be. We hope that they only get better!
***
Analysts say that the Filipino movie-going public has changed. Although admission prices have increased and less theaters are open after the pandemic, somehow, we can still see what types of films interest our public.
Movies marked with an * (asterisk) are estimates as we don’t have the exact figures of the overall gross, we just relied on available data and annual reports.
The top 20 highest-grossing Filipino films (local gross) of all-time are as follows:
- Rewind (2023) Star Cinema | Agostodos | APT P815M
- Hello Love Goodbye (2019) Star Cinema P691M
- The Hows of Us (2018) Star Cinema P660M
- Gandarrapiddo: The Revengers Squad (2017) Star Cinema | Viva Films P575M
- The Super Parental Guardians (2016) Star Cinema P570M
- Beauty and the Bestie (2015) Star Cinema | Viva Films P526M
- Fantastica: The Princess, The Prince and The Perya (2018) Star Cinema | Viva Films P523M
- Miracle In Cell No.7 (2019) Viva Films P485M
- A Second Chance (2015) Star Cinema P480M
- The Amazing Praybeyt Benjamin (2014) Star Cinema | Viva Films P456M
- Maid In Malacañang (2022) Viva Films P440M*
- Girl Boy Bakla Tomboy (2013) Star Cinema | Viva Films P436M
- Starting Over Again (2014) Star Cinema P410M
- My Little Bossings (2013) OctoArts Films | APT Entertainment P401M
- Sisterakas (2012) Star Cinema | Viva Films P393M
- My Bebe Love (2015) OctoArts Films |GMA Films | APT Entertainment P385M
- It Takes a Man and a Woman (2013) Star Cinema | Viva Films P375M
- The Unkabogable Praybeyt Benjamin (2011) Star Cinema | Viva Films P332M
- Bride for Rent (2014) Star Cinema P326M
- The Mall, The Merrier! (2019) Star Cinema | Viva Films P322M
Meanwhile, the top 20 highest-grossing Filipino films (worldwide gross) that are still earning are:
- Hello Love Goodbye (2019) P880.5M
- Rewind (2023) P845M
- The Hows of Us (2018) Star Cinema P845M
- Maid In Malacañang (2022) Viva Films P750M
- Gandarrapiddo The Revengers Squad (2017) Star Cinema | Viva Films P690M**
- The Super Parental Guardians (2016) Star Cinema P598M
- Fantastica The Princess, The Prince and The Perya (2018) Star Cinema P596M
- A Second Chance (2015) Star Cinema P560M
- Miracle In Cell No. 7 (2019) Viva Films P545M
- Beauty and the Bestie (2015) Star Cinema | Viva Films P526M*
- Starting Over Again (2014) Star Cinema P495M
- It Takes a Man and a Woman (2013) Star Cinema | Viva Films P470M
- The Amazing Praybeyt Benjamin (2014) Star Cinema | Viva Films P456M*
- Girl Boy Bakla Tomboy (2013) Star Cinema | Viva Films P436M*
- My Little Bossings (2013) OctoArts Films | APT Entertainment P401M*
- My Ex and Whys (2017) Star Cinema P400M
- Sisterakas (2012) Star Cinema | Viva Films P393M*
- My Bebe Love (2015) OctoArts Films | GMA Films | APT Entertainment P385M*
- Alone Together (2019) Black Sheep P370M
- Exes Baggage (2018) Black Sheep P356M
With these highest-earning Filipino films, the question stays,.what do these figures say about us?
Does it really hold that we are what we watch?
