Tony Gloria almost lost rights to Apo Hiking songs!
Tony Gloria of Unitel Productions bought the rights to a select Apo Hiking Society songs almost four years ago for his vision - a Pinoy musical movie featuring the songs of Apo Hiking Society. As he soon learned, it wasn't an easy task to mount and his rights to the songs even almost expired last December, 2011, if pre-production didn't commence for the now finished "I Do Bidoo Bidoo."
Known for producing out-of-the-box films like "Crying Ladies" and "La Visa Local," did Tony think that a Pinoy musical film was do-able?
"Hindi ako sigurado," he recalled. "Binili ko muna yung rights. Basta meron akong mga choices na songs. Actually, hesitant nga si Jim Paredes kasi marami na palang nag-attempt at walang natutuloy. Binigyan niya ako ng lock for two years lang yata. Na-extend ko yata ng once or twice kasi hindi ko magawa-gawa."
He admitted that there was pressure in his part when he couldn't start his Apo Hiking Society musical.
"Kung di pa kami nag-preproduction last December baka inexpire na rin ako ni Jim kasi ang tagal ko na hindi magawa-gawa. Pangalawang extension na kasi. It's my fault na di ko magawa-gawa. But he had faith in me so he extended it," he related.
Tony stressed that the Apo Hiking Society project has been in his mind for four years already. His fondness for Apo songs sparked the idea for the musical movie. He also envisioned it to be like a "Romeo and Juliet" drama. After two years since he bought the rights, he told Chris Martinez about it and the filmmaker said he would write its script.
"In fact, wala pa kaming kasosyo pero sige na nga start na namin. Studio 5 knew about it but they were also busy with television. Ayaw ko rin naman silang kulitin. So I put up my own money first to start preproduction. And two to three years ago si Gary Valenciano and Zsa Zsa Padilla na nasa isip ko," he elaborated.
"I Do Bidoo Bidoo" was the result and Tony Gloria is more than happy with Chris Martinez's work and take on "pamamanhikan" where the whole movie revolved.
"Maganda siya. Magaling si Chris. It's really entertaining for the whole family," Tony remarked.
He also opined that Pinoy moviegoers are "ripe" for a musical movie like "I Do Bidoo Bidoo." It wouldn't be surprising if the film appeals to Pinoys because of the classic hit songs of the Apo Hiking Society which has been part of the our culture for decades.
Opening on Aug. 29 in theaters in Metro Manila, Tony plans to have screenings in 10 cities in America this October, the same places where they showed "American Adobo." He also bought the rights for a stage musical version of the movie.
Also in the cast are Ogie Alcasid, Eugene Domingo, Sam Concepcion, Tippy Dos Santos, Sweet Plantado, Frenchie Dy, Neil Coleta, Jaime Fabregas, Kiray Celis and Gerald Pesigan. The Apo Hiking Society songs featured are "Pumapatak Na Naman Ang Ulan," "Door Bidoo," "Syotang Pa-class," "Awit ng Barkada," "Panalangin," "Tuyo Nang Damdamin," "Mahirap Magmahal," "Salawikain," "Nakapagtataka" "Batang Bata," "Blue Jeans," "Kaibigan," "Huwag Masanay Sa Pagmamahal," "Ewan," "Paano,". "Di Natuto," "Pag-ibig" and "Kabilugan ng Buwan."
