I Do bidoo bidoo: Heto nAPO sila (2012)

I originally wrote this 30 August 2012, but I

updated it on 14 June 2019.  I updated it more on 18 June 2019.

From imdb

Written and Directed by CHRIS MARTINEZ

as inspired by the music of The APO Hiking Society

This is the promotional poster for Unitel and Studio 5's I Do Bidoo Bidoo starring Sam Concepcion, Tippy Dos Santos, Eugene Domingo, Gary V., Ogie Alcasid, Zsa Zsa Padilla

The first time I've seen this almost seven years ago I was deeply impressed because even if the movie is a musical comedy, the flow of the story was...is almost seamless.  The songs of course were very familiar, but I was careful not to sing in the theatre.  I am still traumatised (I should be over this, I know, but not until I find out if the aggrieved party has forgiven me) because I thought I wasn't too audible I sang with someone doing a solo number.  She felt more than slighted.  In Filipino I could say nabastos ko siya.  Google translates it to I made her upset, but it's more than being just upset.  She was rudely interrupted, but she went on.  She never spoke to me again after that, and that was 1985.  Haist.  If by chance she gets to read this, I really am so sorry.  

THE MOVIE

The music of the APO Hiking Society has been close to my heart since the 1970s because they are all beautifully written, and the melodies are so unforgettable.

Not every lyric is light.  Of course, there were political influences that are still very relevant nowadays, and there are those that people who have broken hearts could relate to.

Unlike the recent Eto na! Musikal nAPO! ,this focuses on two families and the people around them.  Two young people in love where the young woman has a bun in the oven; the respective issues of their parents; the girl and her family are rich; the boy and his family are not exactly poor, but definitely not rich; the best guy friend in love with the guy; the friends of the mother of the guy; a retired AFP General who is the grandfather of the rich girl; the siblings of the rich girl and the middle class boy; and the friends of the boy's mom who are also her business partners, plus some kibitzers and military men.

The two families are about to merge, and many cans of worms were opened.

The audience oohed and aahed most especially during OGIE(Pol) and EUGENE(Rose)'s love scene.  They made it in a funny way, but if you have seen the film you would know that love scene is very important because of certain things that happened before.

Cast from Wikipedia:

• Sam Concepcion as Rock Polotan, a poor nursing student who impregnated Tracy(Sam is very natural.  He was our local Troy Bolton of High School Musical, so this role was, for lack of a better term, peanuts for him.  He played the young Nursing Graduate convincingly.  He also looked very much in love with Tracy, and he also looked conflicted with his decisions.)
• Tippy Dos Santos as Tracy Fuentebella, a rich nursing student and love interest of Rock (This is the first time I've "met" Ms. Dos Santos, and I must say I am impressed with her acting.  She's also beautiful, and a natural.)
• Eugene Domingo as Rose Polotan, mother of Rock; works in a catering service with Lilibeth and Vicky (Eugene is my favourite in this movie.  Her role here is quite serious, maybe except for the "love scene" with Ogie, and she did everything well.  Even if she's not a professional singer, she pulled it off.  Eugene is very intelligent and wise, and she is a true thespian.  She made us feel every emotion she was feeling, and I must say she never disappoints...she doesn't serve anything half-baked.  She is truly awesome.)
• Ogie Alcasid as Pol Polotan, father of Rock and husband of Rose who happens to be a one-hit-wonder composer of a commercial song, Pumapatak na naman ang Ulan. (updated in 2019:  Just recently Ogie won Best Actor as KUYA WES, and I must say its long overdue.  Ogie has many talents, and he excels in all of them, but an acting award was long overdue, so thankfully, as Kuya Wes he was noticed.  Here, he also gave it his all.  In real life he is a prolific composer and his songs sell like hotcakes.  Here, he convinced us as a person who has lost his inspiration...rather, his inspiration is in deep slumber.  Ogie, like Eugene, never disappoints, and he deserves the many blessings, and being Pol Polotan in this film if one of those blessings.)
• Gary Valenciano as Nick Fuentebella, father of Tracy (Another versatile person in this film is Mr. Pure Energy himself, Gary V.  He is one of the six(6) main characters in this musical comedy.  His role is quite serious,  but he was able to deliver.  It's no doubt that he is a great singer, but there's also no question that is a great actor too.)
• Zsa Zsa Padilla as Elaine Fuentebella, mother of Tracy (Zsa Zsa is very sexy in this film...her musical numbers displayed her voluptuous body, but everything was done in good taste.  She acts well too.)
• Jaime Fabregas as retired Sergeant, Nick's father who objects to Tracey and Rock's wedding (I'm just so glad that even if he gets type cast every now and then he still gives his all.  Bravo Señor Jaime!)
• Neil Coleta as Brent, Rock's best friend, a closeted gay who is secretly in love with Rock (He's just brilliant.  Even if he's straight in real life, he made us believe he's really in love with Rock.)
• Frenchie Dy as Lilibeth, Rose's best friend and co-worker in a catering service (One of the best singers in the industry that could also act.)
• Kiray Celis as Jazzy Polotan, younger sister of Rock (This girl is really so talented.  I hope the industry would not be unfair to her and give her projects that would let her showcase her many talents.  She could be mean, she could be sweet, and she could be sexy if she wants to.)
• Sweet Plantado as Vicky, Rose's other best friend and co-worker in a catering service (Like Frenchie, she's also one of the best singers in the industry that could also act.)
• Gerald Pesigan as Raprap Polotan, younger brother of Rock (One of the most natural young actors in the industry.)
• John Mark Ibanez as Blake Fuentebella, little brother of Tracy (I can sense that this young boy has a bright future ahead of him.  He's good!)
• Ismael Alshdefat as Austin Fuentebella, little brother of Tracy (He did good. May he have more projects in the future.) 

Cameo role

• APO Hiking Society (Jim Paredes, Boboy Garovillo and Danny Javier) as priests and major sponsors for Ana Polotan (Rock and Tracy's daughter) in her baptism
• John Lapus as an entertainer in a karaoke bar
• Edgar Allan Guzman - as one of the soldiers

Congratulations to everyone involved in this project.  

Oh, and thank you very much for taking time to read my thoughts.  :-)