FROM the shadows of the 1960’s Manila Gangland rises a fearless gangster, ganglord of the juvenile members of the notorious Bahala Na Gang.
Presumed always dead from his numerous ambushes, this lanky, good-looking “society boy” of the underworld miraculously survives and manages to bounce back thirsty for revenge.
The story of irrepressible toughie Arturo Porcuna, alyas Boy Golden, treads back to a time where old adversaries would settle personal scores..by the gangland style execution.
He was the most wanted man in the underworld…hunted by the police and even more relentlessly by his enemies…from the dark shadows of the alleys of Manila (Tondo, Blumentritt, Rizal Avenue, Sampaloc) to the bustling streets of Quezon City. From the growing cities of Pasay, Makati, Mandaluyong up to the north of Luzon in the provinces of Pangasinan and Baguio.
“Boy Golden” had a growing reputation of being “unkillable” as he seemed immune to gunshot wounds and from the poisoning of lead bullets. He was called the “Legs Diamond” of the Philippines (the infamous American gangster of the U.S. underworld) who is known for his sartorial elegance, dancing prowess and the same luck to survive a dozen attempts on his life just like his American counterpart.
And like Legs Diamond, Golden would execute his vendetta with finesse. After living in the reformatory institution for boys in Welfareville, Boy Golden found a job as dance instructor at the Manila Grand Opera House.
He also hanged out at a place called the Golden Star Restaurant along Blumentritt, which must be how he earned the alias “Boy Golden”.
His fate, however, was to live life in the underworld. He perennially defied anyone who represents authority and power. He sought out excitement by taunting and challenging more powerful gangsters and hardened criminals who were equally determined to kill Boy Golden at all costs.
Laguna Gov. ER Ejercito plays the title role, he is Boy Golden that’s apt for grabs in the forthcoming Metro Manila Film Festival that commences on Dec. 25. After his award-winning performances in his last two entries (Asiong Salonga in 2011 and El Presidente in 2012), Gov. ER proves that he still got what it takes to become one of the country’s finest actors.
He’s paired with the beautiful and seductive KC Concepcion in this movie under the helm of Direk Chito S. Roño. “According to our research sa social media, a big bulk of the audience truly love gangster films.
Grabe ang pagdirek ni Chito Rono dito. Hats off kami sa husay ni Direk Chito. My leading-lady here, KC Concepcion,- may just bring home the Best Actress plum.
Pag hindi nanalo si KC dito, malamang dinaya. Ha! Ha! Ha!” ang statement ni Gov. ER during the presscon ng “Boy Golden” na ginanap sa Zirkoh Morato nung isang araw.
“Thank God at nakagawa na naman kami ng isang quality film. Iyan ang pangako ko sa sarili ko, since I seldom do films, hopefully kahit one film a year man lang – it has to be of quality.
And I truly enjoy doing true-to-life action films. (may nagsingit ng tanong kung si Gov. ER ba ay umaasa pang manalo ng Best Actor award sa MMFF this year) – hindi na.
Ayoko nang umasa. Nakadalawa na akong semplang sa kanila. Ha-hahaha! “Basta ang masasabi ko lang, tunay na maipagmamalaki namin itong Boy Golden dahil napakalinis ng pagkagawa nito – matino at talagang mararamdaman mong pinaghirapan.
Kumpleto kami sa research materials nito, may mga naka-compile kaming clippings sa buhay ni Arturo Porcuna,” ani Gov. ER.
Kasama rin sa pelikulang ito sina Tito Eddie Garcia, Tonton Gutierrez, John Estrada, Baron Geisler, among others.
It’s a must-see film na hindi dapat palagpasin this coming MMFF. This is produced by Scenema Concept International and Viva Films.
Speaking of Gov. ER Ejercito, sobra-sobrang happiness ang idinulot nito sa members of the entertainment media during the said presscon. Katuwang ang producer nitong si Ms. Mylene ng Scenema Concept, namahagi sila ng napakaraming raffle items for the press to enjoy.
Bumaha ng ref, TV, sacks of rice, microwave ovens and washing machines.”Medyo naghigpit din tayo ng sinturon, pero hindi pumayag ang mga co-producers kong hindi pasayahin ang mga kasamahan nating manunulat.
Kasi nga, kapanganakan ng mahal nating Hesukristo sa Dec. 25 kaya kailangan pa rin nating maramdaman ang kahit konting simoy ng kapaskuhan.
Maraming naganap na mga kalamidad nitong mga nakaraang buwan pero hindi naman puwedeng palalagpasin natin ang Pasko na walang kahit konti man lamang na pasasalamat,” ani Ms. Mylene who joined us sa press conference.
Siyempre naman! Talagang ito ang uunahin naming panoorin. Kasi nga, matinong pelikula. Tsaka na lang namin sisilipin ang other entries pag settled na kami with “Boy Golden”, ‘no!
( Photo credit to Google )