Star Cinema joins forces with Reyna Films, Inc and Central Digital Lab for the upcoming mainstream theatrical release of Hari Ng Tondo.
Hari Ng Tondo was the official entry of APT Productions, Inc. MZET TV and Reyna Films Inc in the Director's Showcase category of the tenth installment of Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival (Cinemalaya X) that ran last August in Manila. Directed by internationally acclaimed director Carlos Siguion-Reyna and with a script written by Bibeth Orteza, Hari Ng Tondo is a gripping black comedy centered on Ricardo Villena, a grandfather on the verge of bankruptcy who brings his grandchildren Anna and Ricky with him back to Tondo Manila - the community that made and shaped him to be that man that he is. Ricardo discovers that the place is no longer the same while his grandchildren Anna and Ricky will meet new friends, learn new things, and earn a deeper understanding about the world around them through the wisdom and guidance of their grandfather.
The film assembles and ensemble cat of the country's finest actors as led by iconic and legendary dramatic actor Robert Arevalo as the film's patriarch and central character Ricardo Villena portraying his grandchildren in the film are real-life cousins Cris Villonco who plays the role of Anna and Carlos and Bibeth's son, Rafa Siguion-Reyna who plays the role of Ricky.
It should be noted that Hari Ng Tondo is the long overdue, grand comeback of Carlos Siguion-Reyna who took a hiatus from full-length feature films. The last commecial released directed by Siguion-Reyna was 2000's family drama Azucena that starred Glydel Mercado, Alessandra De Rossi and Dante Rivero. With the current partnership of Star Cinema with Reyna Films Inc. and Central Digital LAb, Carlos also makes his much awaited homecoming to Star Cinema that released two of his most commercially successful and criticallly acclaimed films Ligaya ang Itawag mo sa akin (1997) and Ang Lalake sa Buhay ni Selya (1998). Prior to Hari Ng Tondo, Siguion Reyna directed Choices, a short film on reproductive health and women's right to choose, which aired on ABS-CBN's cable news channel ANC in line with its 15th Anniversary in 2011.
Hari Ng Tondo is a heartwarming family movie that earned the elusive nod of approval of the Cinemalaya crowd. It is one of the films in Cinemalaya X that earned sustained positive reviews and impressive returns from the festival's box office. The edgy appeal of Hari Ng Tondo is anchored on the collective and individual experiences of its characters Ricardo, Anna and Ricky as set against the contemporary back drop of historic Tondo as juxtposed with the Tondo of Ricardo's youth.
Hari NG Tondo also stars Rez Cortez, Lorenz Martinez, LIza Lorena, Lui Manansala, Aiza Seguerra, Carlos Canlas, Mark Tayag, Ciara Sotto, Gian Magdangal, Ali Sotto, Audie Gemora, Hans Eckstein, Raul Montesa, Jelson Bay, Gino Ramirez, Mengie Cobarrubias and Eric Quizon.
Hari Ng Tondo is showing in mainstream cinemas nationwide starting October 1