The Philippines is fortunate to be among the first countries in the
world to screen one of 2019's most highly-anticipated movies, Marvel Studios'
Avengers Endgame, and it surely didn't disappoint thousands of Filipino movie
lovers and superhero fans watching the film in cinemas as it broke local box-office
records and exceeded the success of its predecessor after earning Php202.68
million on its opening day and more than Php500 million after three days. With
such impressive numbers on hand, it makes anyone curious of how Filipinos
prepare for the Avengers' final battle to save the universe.
Well, it just so happens that there is lots going on prior to the
film's showing in hundreds of cinemas nationwide and even on opening day and
many Filipino netizens are reaping these happenings and have expressed their
thoughts about them on social media. Among them is a viral video of hundreds of
movie buffs inside a mall in Butuan City running towards the cinemas at the
sound of its opening just to be the first to buy a ticket for and eventually
watch Endgame. It was being shown on television via flagship daily news
programs including a surge of cosplayers wearing the costumes of their favorite
Avengers on escalators to celebrate the film's opening day.
On the other hand, there is one moviegoer who has purchased and ate a
kilo of popcorn due to excitement and anticipation for Endgame even though it
is about four hours long. You may think of this as dedication or an effect of
excitement feels but there is nothing wrong for anyone to show his or her excitement
regardless of what others think. Then there is a flurry of negativity over
Megaworld Lifestyle Malls' overintriguing announcement that Endgame will be
shown in some of its cinemas in Chinese subtitles considering that most
Filipinos do not like and trust China. All I can say about it is that
overreaction can cause a bevy of circumstances and anyone should not include
politics and national issues to their reactions over a good fresh story.
On the other hand, a Filipino artist decided to illustrate various
local celebrities as members of Marvel's Avengers and that can be refreshing to
any overhyped movie buff's eye. Imagine if you can make an overwhelming canvas
drawing of your favorite Filipino sports icon as an Avenger. Meanwhile, in the
case of Filipino movie producers, I think they've made a wise decision not to
compete against Endgame and screen their works a week after. One case in point
is Viva Films' S.O.N.S. (Sons of Nanay Sabel) starring Ai-Ai Delas Alas and Ex
Battalion which is showing in cinemas nationwide on May 8th.
Some of the main cast of Avengers Endgame are right about Filipinos
being the movie's biggest fans in Southeast Asia and reaping their preparations
and anticipation of the film is just a huge showcase of their appreciation for
the superheroes they have loved since childhood until now. Hopefully, there is
one Filipino film that brings so much hype and anticipation to many movie
lovers that they want to show their appreciation for it. In my case, it could
be Star Cinema's Darna. Otherwise, you would prefer a Vice Ganda movie this
year rather than anything else.
