There was no apparent heir to the throne when the "King of Philippine Action Films," Fernando Poe, Jr., passed away last Dec.16, 2004. Leaving a void in Philippine Cinema on who would be as influential and the appropriate recipient of the prestigious scepter to keep the action genre alive, renowned local action stars are now bonding together in search for good movie materials to produce in order to keep alive the local movie industry.
Though the upcoming fight-flick "Uno" has been in the works before Da King died, it is a clear cut example of the gamble action stars are willing to take. Produced by Ronnie Ricketts of "Mano Mano" series fame and the country's foremost Taekwondo expert Monsour del Rosario, their goal is to bring back to fore the action movies that were once a favorite among Filipino moviegoers and help in their own little way make the movie business profitable. Their bid is to also help bring the spark back into our local movies and at the same time give jobs to other actors especially the stuntmen.
"This is one movie born out of different ideas," Ronnie Ricketts explained. "From that alone, moviegoers can expect a different approach to 'Uno.' We concentrated more on fighting skills than blastings and explosives."
"Uno"is about the lives of two professional hitmen who become suspects to the increasing number of assassination cases. The victims would carry the assassin's trademark shot pattern which christened the assassin as "uno." The two suspected assassins are Niko played by Ronnie and Mike who is portrayed in the film by Monsour.
The two suspects have the same abilities and skills to execute such killings thus making the law enforcers very vigilant on their suspects' every move not looking at the possibility that there could be a third assassin on the loose.
The plot of "Uno" thickens as Niko wants out of the mob world which prompted some of the organization's leaders to send Mike to silence Niko. The world of Niko then shrinks as he has the police on his tail and Mike too. The would-be highlight then of the film according to the producers is who would survive and emerge as the "Uno" or the number one assassin in their league!
"This is really an exciting film," expressed Monsour in Filipino. "When I did a cameo in 'Mano Mano 3,' Ronnie offered me to do an action movie with him. I said yes but asked him to wait for awhile as I find some investors. So when I finally did, we got together and 'Uno' was the result."
Directed by Ronnie Ricketts himself, the complete cast of "Uno" includes the likes of Mark Gil, Ricardo Cepeda, Dinky Doo, John Apacible, Mike Gayoso, Jeffrey Santos, Boy Roque, TJ Trinidad, Dong Serano, Bruce Ricketts, Marie Ricketts, Jessa Mauriz, Mila Ocampo, Erica Fuente, Danica Sottto and Cheska Garcia. It is slated for a Jan. 19 release in Metro Manila with a special premier night on the 18th of January at SM North Cinema 8.
"It is not really hard to work with Ronnie as my director. I've known him for the longest time. He is very good when it comes to the technicalities of directing an action movie. But we help each other. If we don't have a video assist, I always have my video camera with me so I can study my acting."
He added that he co-produced with Ronnie because he trusts him. He has learned of producers whose scams robbed people of their money and leave movie projects hanging. And he is surprised that these kind of people still abound in show business.
Monsour stressed that "Uno's" fight sequences would focus on the human skills. This move was partly inspired by Asian action movies they have seen. But he and Ronnie also have placed a premium on their martial arts background and these are the things they would like to share for their fans' enjoyment.
"More than explosions, what is important in a movie is the story. Action is very much important too in 'Uno.' And moviegoers always expect from us action stars certain moves and we will not disappoint them in this movie," Monsour promised.
What is also putting a smile on the both Ronnie and Monsour's faces are the support they are receiving from other big name action stars and so-called pillars of Philippine Cinema like Manny Nuqui and Atty. Espiridion Laxa. Both gave Ronnie the nod for coming out with a good action film like "Uno." On the other hand, Rudy Fernandez, a respected action figure in the movie industry, after he saw a special screening of "Uno," even asked Ronnie to direct him in a movie in the near future.
"Pampalakas ng loob" or a confidence booster is how Ronnie described his emotions upon hearing positive notes from well respected people in showbiz. It was a humbling experience for him that these people would go out of their way to tell him he and Monsour have a good project on hand.
"It was very touching," he said proudly. "They believed that I had a good film and they all wanted it to work well in the box office."
As for Monsour, "Uno" is the workmanship of two reputable martial artists, him and Ronnie. And he is praying that they would both produce success from "Uno" and other future movie projects together.
"I hope moviegoers will go and watch our movie," he said. "I hope that action movies would make a comeback and our success would also mean jobs for character actors, stuntmen and it would surely open new doors in showbiz. This is really a big gamble for me and Ronnie. I just hope that our movie would not be pirated!"
"Uno" is also a comeback for Monsour who is now starting a family with his wife Joy. His last film as a lead actor was with sexy actress Klaudia Koronel in "Dugo ng Birhen" in 1999. And hopefully with "Uno," those who have missed him in his past movies would get to catch him and see how he has matured as an action star.
Knowing that "Uno" is a big gamble, he is more comfortable that he is not the only lead actor in it. According to him, it is better that he and Ronnie carry the film than just one of them. He is just praying hard that it becomes a success. When that happens, he says that the next project would have him as the lead star with Ronnie as his director.
"This is not a very big budgeted film. But 'Uno' is really entertaining. It is more on martial arts and this movie will show that what other Asian martial arts movie can do, we can also do in terms of fighting skills. Ronnie is an authentic martial artist and I'm authentic too so this film is a good gamble actually for the two of us!"
Monsour though is not a hypocrite in admitting that producing a movie and starring in it is a big headache. If "Uno" makes it, it could revive the local action film business. But if it doesn't, at least he could say they tried their best to be of help to the industry.
"Ronnie is a big help in putting up this movie. He is experienced and he is trustworthy when it comes to money matters. Rather than going with other people I want to work with Ronnie. His brother who teaches Bakbakan in my gym is an old friend who also became my instructor before."
With the trend nowadays becoming mixed-martial-arts, "Uno" is a film that's filled with such action scenes. This according to Ronnie and Monsour is an example of human skills in action films!
Aside from a much awaited comeback for Monsour, what he hopes to accomplish someday is to complete his family with either a daughter or son that he could train someday to be an Olympian!
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