Lapu-Lapu (2002 film)

Lapu-Lapu is a 2002 Filipino historical film co-produced and directed by William G. Mayo and written by Jerry O. Tirazona. It stars Lito Lapid as the titular datu, alongside Joyce Jimenez, Dante Rivero, Vic Vargas, Roi Vinzon, Jeric Raval, Ian Veneracion, Jess Lapid Jr., and Gloria Sevilla. Produced by Calinauan Cineworks, the film is based on the 1521 encounter of Datu Lapulapu and other pre-Hispanic Philippine natives with explorer Ferdinand Magellan and his crew, who were serving the Spanish Empire.

Lapu-Lapu
Directed byWilliam G. Mayo
Produced by
  • Florante H. Castillo
  • Lito Marcos
  • Mark Lapid
  • William G. Mayo
  • Wilson Chua
Written byJerry O. Tirazona
Starring
Music byBlitz Padua
CinematographyJun Dalawis
Edited byRuben Pantua
Production
company
Calinauan Cineworks
Distributed byEDL Productions
Release date
  • December 25, 2002 (2002-12-25)
CountryPhilippines
LanguageCebuano
Spanish
Budget35[1]-₱50 million[2]
Box office₱5.7 million[3]

Lapu-Lapu was released on December 25, 2002 as part of the 28th Metro Manila Film Festival. Earning only ₱5.7 million by the end of the festival against a budget of at least ₱35 million, it was a box-office bomb. However, the film won seven FAP Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director (Mayo), and Best Actor (Lapid).

Cast

Production

A Spanish galleon replica was made for the film within a span of three months, and subsequently donated to a museum in Subic, Zambales after production.[1] There were approximately 3,000 extras hired for the film.[1]

Reception

At the 28th Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), the film lost the Best Film award to Spirit Warriors: The Shortcut, upon which the producers threatened to sue the festival organizers due to suspicions of manipulation.[2][4]

Box office

Lapu-Lapu was the least-earning film at the box office among the nine entries of the 28th MMFF.[4]

Critical response

The Catholic Initiative for Enlightened Movie Appreciation (CINEMA) rated the film "morally acceptable" and "technically average", with praise held for Lito Lapid and Joyce Jimenez's performances, while criticisms were directed at the incongruous film score and the galleon ship used for production, stating that the latter was "unbelievable".[2]

Accolades

Group Category Name Result
2003 FAMAS Awards Best Picture Lapu-Lapu Nominated
2003 FAP Awards Best Picture Lapu-Lapu Won
Best Direction William Mayo Won
Best Actor Lito Lapid Won
Best Supporting Actor Dante Rivero Nominated
Best Supporting Actress Maria Isabel Lopez Nominated
Best Screenplay Jerry Tirazona Won
Best Musical Score Blitz Padua Won
Best Cinematography Jun Dalawis Nominated
Best Sound Danny Lorilla Won
Best Original Song "Mabuhay ang Kalayaan" by Coritha Won

References

  1. Bismark, Maridol (December 20, 2002). "Lito Lapid's defining (cinematic) moment". Philstar.com. Philstar Global Corp. Retrieved April 15, 2020.
  2. Araneta, Sandy (January 5, 2003). "CBCP finds historical flick unbelievable". Philstar.com. Philstar Global Corp. Retrieved 15 April 2020.
  3. Cruz, Marinel R. (January 14, 2003). "2002 MMFF: Most successful in box office returns". Philippine Daily Inquirer.
  4. Amoyo, Aster (January 13, 2003). "NAKAKATAWA LANG ANG GINAWA NG 'LAPU-LAPU'" [What 'Lapu-Lapu' did was only hilarious]. Philippine Headline News Online (in Filipino). Manila. Retrieved April 15, 2020.
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