At first glance, Jun Robles Lana’s Becky and Badette seems like a cinematic cousin to Hollywood’s Romy and Michelle’s High School Reunion — fag hags and best pals galore a la- Connie and Carlo.
However, when one digs deeper and dissect this film, an entry in this year’s annual Metro Manila Film Festival, we get to realize that there is more to it than the usual “I’m a Barbie girl, in a Barbie world” kind of movie.
“It’s a love story for Philippine cinema,” said Lana of his latest film. “There are iconic Filipino movie moments that we gave tribute to in this film, from the late Comedy King Dolphy to the likes of Sharon Cuneta and Maricel Soriano. It opens with the Working Girls theme song, a classic from National Artist for Film Ishmael Bernal.”
According to Lana, the basis for casting Eugene Domingo and Marietta Subong, also known as Pokwang, as the leads was: “I believe the chemistry they share is more than palpable, it’s electric. They had a short scene in Sampung Mga Kerida and the magic and mayhem they brought, ibang klase (it was different). It would be better to see them in a full-length movie. I had been selling the idea of Becky and Badette for the longest time; I really wanted to do it. So when I saw Uge and Pokwang in that scene, it was like a eureka moment for me. I knew that I had found my perfect leads. When the movie was greenlighted, first shooting day pa lang, I was very happy with them. They were really perfect.”
Stellar careers
Eugene and Pokwang’s careers can both be described as stellar, with each having her own share of box office hits, acting nominations and awards. This Jun Lana movie is the second time for the two actresses to grace the big screen together after their 2006 big hit D Lucky Ones.
“I saw Pokwang in Clown In A Million,” recalled Domingo. I was invited to give a talk to the remaining contestants, and she was really the standout. I said she was funny even if you didn’t talk to her.”
When they finally got to work together, Domingo said she saw first-hand Pokwang’s wit, professionalism and kind heart.
For her part, Pokwang said the care, kindness and maternal side Domingo shows her are what she appreciates the most.
“Gustong-gusto ko kay Uge mahilig magdala ng pagkain, at kung anu-anong mga regalo. Mararamdaman mo siya na hindi lang katrabaho kundi pamilya. Kasi lagi siyang nangungumusta sa anak ko. Mararamdaman mo talaga ‘yung concern niya sa inaanak niya. Mga ganyan” (What I like most about Uge is that she likes bringing food and little gifts. You can feel that she’s not just a colleague but family. She inquires after my daughter. You can really feel her concern for her goddaughter. She’s like that).
In the movie, the two’s nemesis is Agot Isidro, the mean girl from high school who carries a grudge against them. There’s also Romnick Sarmenta, the object of affection of the two fab femmes.
The movie is peppered with references to the films and movie lines of Star for All Seasons Vilma Santos, and the affectionate send-up is “crucial to the story,” said Lana.
The movie queen was also a major come-on in Eugene and Pokwang’s first movie, D’ Lucky Ones, which was a box-office sensation some 17 years ago. In their second movie collaboration, Ate Vi is still very much part of the picture.
Domingo is most proud of Becky and Badette because Lana wove “humor and heartfelt storytelling seamlessly for this film,” she said. “With Jun, lahat yata ng comedy pinagsama-sama niya rito (all kinds of comedy he employed here) – comedy na kanal, comedy na slapstick, comedy na pang-beki, comedy na pangmatalino (gay comedy, intelligent comedy). May pagka-satire pa (There’s a bit of satire, too). Lahat andito na. Kaya ang sarap panoorin. Talagang sasakit ang panga mo sa katatawa and plastered ang smile sa mukha mo” (Everything’s here. That’s why it’s so good to watch. You will really laugh your head off).
Becky and Badette opens in cinemas nationwide this 25 December.