From right: Ding Dong Dantes (Edmundo Villon) and John Arcilla (Lt Franco). Watch A HARD DAY and other MMFF 2021 movies in RED CARPET Cinemas – Shangri La Plaza Mall, Lucky Chinatown Mall, Eastwood City Mall and Resort’s World Manila.
Written by
Jude Thaddeus Bautista
The PNP intelligence team goes down a flight of steps, Ding Dong Dantes (Villon’s) phone rings incessantly. Al Tantay (Chief Sylvestre): Kanina pa nag riring telepono mo a? May pinagtataguan to e. Jano Gibbs (Arturo): Ginawa mong aklat a, ilang araw mo na ba pinagloloko tawag na yan? The whole team laughs. Villon: Prank caller lang po to walang signal e.
Out of nowhere John Arcilla (Franco) cuts through the group. With one hand strangles Villon’s neck and repeatedly slaps him with the other. Franco: Putang Ina mo! Gago ka no? Putang ina! Bakit di mo sinasagot tawag ko? Sige kumasa ka! The other detectives pull Franco off Villon. Arturo: Boss, sino ba ka number mo? Ka-grupo namin yan e?
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Franco: Ka-grupo mo ba to? Ah pulis ba to? Pare, sorry! Sorry! Sorry! Pasensya ka na kasi ka mukha mo kasi gumago sakin e. Sorry, pasensya na. Pasensya na pare. Pasensya ka na.
Arturo: Ah Chief, si Lieutenant Franco, siya yung umareglo doon sa kupal na nag-iimbestiga satin. Chief: Ha? Maraming Salamat. Siya nag salba satin. Marami utang na loob natin dito. Ating hero ha?
John Arcilla (Lt Franco); Watch A HARD DAY and other MMFF 2021 movies in Robinsons Place Manila, Robinsons Place Magnolia, Robinsons Place La Union and all Robinsons Malls.
Arturo Introduces each of the team: Garry Lim (Elmer De Asis), Kedebon Colim (Elton Dizon), tsaka yung pinagsasampal mo si Detective Edmond Villon. Franco: Ay! Pucha hindi nga? Si Villon ba to? Ha? E Mabait tong pulis na to ha? O hahaha! Sorry! Sorry! Nagkamali talaga ko. Kamukha mo lang talaga. Pasensya ka na. 25 million pasensya na! Sorry, Putang Ina nagkamali ako. Pasensya na boss. Pasensya na talaga. Chief!
Chief Sylvestre: Maraming Salamat uli ha?
As the team walks away, Villon goes back to confront his assailant. Franco’s tone changes immediately saying, “Alam mo ba na merong dalawang klaseng hayop sa mundo? Yung una’y tinatago niya yung kanyang buntot, kung na harap siya sa may makapangayarihan sa kanya. Yung pangalawa, reresbak at reresbak kahit anung mangyari. Alin ka sa dalawang hayop?”
From left: Ding Dong Dantes (Edmundo Villon) and John Arcilla (Lt Franco). Watch A HARD DAY and other MMFF 2021 movies in Robinsons Place Manila, Robinsons Place Magnolia, Robinsons Place La Union and all Robinsons Malls.
A HARD DAY is as much a psychological thriller, whodunnit as it is a shootem’ up action flick. It’s that complex and enjoyable at the same time. Thrills you more ways than one. The powerful dialogue above is ably written by Arlene Tamayo.
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This is a remake of a Korean hit in 2014. But the story is applicable to the Philippines as well. The storyline is realistic enough to confront us with the painful truth that corruption exists on every level (especially in our country). The implication is they’re ALL on the take. So the question is how corrupt? In what manner specifically?
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This is only one title out of many in this batch of 2021 entries that have been well written and executed. Among those I’ve seen are HUWAG KANG LALABAS with Kim Chiu, Beauty Gonzales and the internationally acclaimed KUN MAUPAY MAN IT PANAHON (Whether the Weather is Fine) with Daniel Padilla and Charo Santos. Although if you watch it you will be amazed at the revelation of Rans Rifol as an actress, as the rest of world has seen.
Each of these movies are a literal MUST SEE, for different reasons. All of them entertaining, all of them surprisingly thought provoking. I anticipate the other 5 titles to be just as well produced.
Ding Dong Dantes (Edmundo Villon); Watch A HARD DAY and other MMFF 2021 movies in Robinsons Place Manila, Robinsons Place Magnolia, Robinsons Place La Union and all Robinsons Malls.
Ding Dong’s Acting Growth
The role of Edmundo Villon is a mark of growth for Ding Dong, who has been known as clean cut, leading man material. A cop who is himself corrupt and has no qualms in hiding his own crimes. He’s used to physical roles, whether in action ALYAS ROBIN HOOD or as Raquin in ENCANTADIA. As Villon, he shows us his emotional range and greater depth. His experience as a father to Zia and Ziggy comes in handy here as Villon is a single dad.
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He’s s strong nominee as Best Actor for the MMFF Awards night. Production has already begun for ENCANTADIA: FIRE ON ICE, where he will reprise the same role.
Ding Dong Dantes (Edmundo Villon); Watch A HARD DAY and other MMFF 2021 movies in SM Cinema AURA PREMIER & IMAX, SM Mall of Asia, SM North and all SM Supermalls.
It’s not all serious either in A HARD DAY. There’s a hilarious bare ass to face scene practically kissing it. Where ultimate male lead Ding Dong Dantes faceplants on the corpse’s bare ass owned by Nor Domingo (Abet Hogar aka Apiyong). I wonder if the scene was replicated from the original or improvised by Direk Law Fajardo. Either way, this is evidence of Dantes’ dedication to his craft not insisting on writing it out.
John Arcilla (Lt Franco); Watch A HARD DAY and other blockbuster movies in Ayala Malls Manila Bay, Circuit Makati, Ayala Malls Marikina, Greenbelt and all Ayala Malls.
Being John Arcilla
Fresh from his Volpi Cup Best Actor win (ON THE JOB: THE MISSING 8) at the 78th Venice Film fest last September, Filipino audiences get to see Arcilla here in A HARD DAY. The Volpi Cup, the first for any Filipino, has been won by the likes of Brad Pitt, Javier Bardem and Sean Penn. Even before the award we loved him as HENERAL LUNA (2015).
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The MMFF 2021 has two films with Arcilla: A HARD DAY, and BIG NIGHT! ( Cignal Entertainment / TheIdeaFirst Company ). Other big name actors in BIG NIGHT include: Christian Bables, Eugene Domingo, Ricky Davao, Gina Alajar and Janice De Belen
John Arcilla (Lt Franco); Watch A HARD DAY and other blockbuster movies in Ayala Malls Manila Bay, Circuit Makati, Ayala Malls Marikina, Greenbelt and all Ayala Malls.
Arcilla is able to inhabit both heroic and villainous roles (it seems) with the ease of changing his shirt. Like the scene described above, he can turn on a dime emotionally, from aggressor to apologetic as a rouse. Most audiences know him as Renato Hipolito in ANG PROBINSYANO. But his role here as Lieutenant Franco is even more despicable. The film needs that from him. Arcilla is just as revered now like John Malkovich, Alan Rickman or Gary Oldman, where the role almost doesn’t matter. What matters is what actors like them are able to make of it.
Rapper Pio Balbuena in Ayala Malls Circuit Makati, MMFF 2021 Fluvial parade of stars, December 19, 2021. Watch A HARD DAY and other blockbuster movies in Ayala Malls Manila Bay, Circuit Makati, Ayala Malls Marikina, Greenbelt and all Ayala Malls.
Pio Balbuena Rapper, Actor, Director
Pio Balbuena is an established rapper with legitimate street cred producing songs from almost a decade. He even has Balong – a Flava flav like character as a hype man in a lot of his videos and posts. Just this year, his music videos have gotten hundreds of thousands of views: TAMBAY, PATAK NG ULAN, CHISMIS, MAGKANO. Most of them coming from his album Vision 20/20 from VIVA.
Pio Balbuena (Jojo); Watch A HARD DAY and other MMFF 2021 movies in RED CARPET Cinemas – Shangri La Plaza Mall, Lucky Chinatown Mall, Eastwood City Mall and Resort’s World Manila.
He has had movie soundtrack experience as well (INDAK), writing and performing SUMAYAW SA INDAK with Nadine Lustre and Sheyee. INDAK starred Nadine Lustre, Sam Concepcion and Yayo Aguila. He also collaborated with Thyro Alfaro and Tyra Angel for SPACE AND TIME. Both of these hits are his most danceable.
Ding Dong Dantes (Edmundo Villon) accosts Pio Balbuena (Jojo); Watch A HARD DAY and other blockbuster movies in Ayala Malls Manila Bay, Circuit Makati, Ayala Malls Marikina, Greenbelt and all Ayala Malls.
Balbuena also has a major role in A HARD DAY as Jojo the rapper. Recently his short film, KANDADO (19 minutes) has qualified for the MMFF X FB Creator Exhibit. You can watch it for free on the official facebook page of the MMFF.
From left: Rapper Pio Balbuena (Jojo), Meg Imperial (Erika) and Janno Gibbs (Arturo) during the fluvial parade of stars, December 19, 2021. Watch A HARD DAY and other MMFF 2021 movies in Robinsons Place Manila, Robinsons Place Magnolia, Robinsons Place La Union and all Robinsons Malls.
Detailed Film Credit
Sadly, Pio Balbuena’s soundtrack work for A HARD DAY is not as easily referenced. Apart from the official soundtrack, he performed at least one or two more songs. NONE of the songs /soundtracks are listed on the official IMDB page, Wikipedia or fb pages of the movie. This has been my lament for nearly all Filipino movies, TV productions. None of the filmmakers and production companies, transfer their detailed credits online.
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Actually VIVA is better than others. BUT in their case, they are hurting their own talents and artists, as well as their movies. They cast Pio who is a part of their VIVA Talent pool. Listing the official soundtrack, other songs by Pio is an opportunity to sell and or promote those songs. Especially since this is a blockbuster movie.
Foreground: Evangeline Pascual (Deceased mother), from left: Lou Veloso (Funeral Director), Rafael Siguion Reyna (Jeff), Meg Imperial (Erika) and Ding Dong Dantes (Edmundo Villon). Watch A HARD DAY and other blockbuster movies in Ayala Malls Manila Bay, Circuit Makati, Ayala Malls Marikina, Greenbelt and all Ayala Malls.
A HARD DAY’s Director Law Fajardo is a polymath, who has previous credits as Writer, film editor, Production Designer as well as being a director. For this film he also has story and screenwriting credit, possibly editing supervisor as well. That’s also not reflected on the official imdb page. MOST if not all Filipino films don’t even bother to put their cast names ALONG WITH the roles they play in the movie or TV production.
Guji Lorenzana (Street cop) at the SM MEGAMALL Premiere of A HARD DAY, December 23, 2021. Watch A HARD DAY and other MMFF 2021 movies in SM Cinema AURA PREMIER & IMAX, SM Mall of Asia, SM North and all SM Supermalls.
The movie’s Cinematographer, Sound Recordist, Hair and Make Up, Film Editor, Executive Producer, Producers are NOT listed in their IMDB page. When you transfer your film credits online that’s what you’re doing. You are literally giving them CREDIT seen by everyone else. Even if they didn’t watch your movie.
NOT SO Full Cast and crew list also without the roles and other major production info on official imdb page.
And it doesn’t add cost because you’ve already made your film credit. ALL you have to do is put it online. I bemoan this because I appreciate A HARD DAY and wish they would give credit to everyone involved in the project this way.
NOT SO Full Cast and crew list also without the roles and other major production info on official imdb page.
Watch MMFF 2021 and other blockbuster movies in SM Cinema AURA PREMIER & IMAX, SM Mall of Asia, SM North and all SM Supermalls.
Before going to the cinemas make sure you and your companions bring your Vaccination cards as they are required to buy tickets and upon entering the theater.
Food and Drinks are not allowed inside the cinemas. But you are welcome to dine in the many mall restos before or after the screening.
Check the latest schedules on CLICK THE CITY.
Watch A HARD DAY and other MMFF 2021 movies in RED CARPET Cinemas – Shangri La Plaza Mall, Lucky Chinatown Mall, Eastwood City Mall and Resort’s World Manila. (23)
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Angeli Khang at the SM MEGAMALL Premiere of A HARD DAY, December 23, 2021. Watch A HARD DAY and other MMFF 2021 movies in SM Cinema AURA PREMIER & IMAX, SM Mall of Asia, SM North and all SM Supermalls. (25)
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John Arcilla (Lt Franco) and Lhian Gimeno (Yanni); Watch A HARD DAY and other MMFF 2021 movies in SM Cinema AURA PREMIER & IMAX, SM Mall of Asia, SM North and all SM Supermalls.
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AJ Muhlach at the SM MEGAMALL Premiere of A HARD DAY, December 23, 2021. Watch A HARD DAY and other MMFF 2021 movies in SM Cinema AURA PREMIER & IMAX, SM Mall of Asia, SM North and all SM Supermalls.
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Watch MMFF 2021 and other blockbuster movies in RED CARPET Cinemas – Shangri La Plaza Mall, Lucky Chinatown Mall, Eastwood City Mall and Resort’s World Manila.
Watch A HARD DAY and other MMFF 2021 movies in RED CARPET Cinemas – Shangri La Plaza Mall, Lucky Chinatown Mall, Eastwood City Mall and Resort’s World Manila.
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Ding Dong Dantes (Edmundo Villon); Watch A HARD DAY and other MMFF 2021 movies in RED CARPET Cinemas – Shangri La Plaza Mall, Lucky Chinatown Mall, Eastwood City Mall and Resort’s World Manila.
Watch A HARD DAY and other MMFF 2021 movies in SM Cinema AURA PREMIER & IMAX, SM Mall of Asia, SM North and all SM Supermalls.
Ding Dong Dantes (Edmundo Villon) accosts Pio Balbuena (Jojo); Watch A HARD DAY and other MMFF 2021 movies in SM Cinema AURA PREMIER & IMAX, SM Mall of Asia, SM North and all SM Supermalls. (36)
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Watch MMFF 2021 and other blockbuster movies in RED CARPET Cinemas – Shangri La Plaza Mall, Lucky Chinatown Mall, Eastwood City Mall and Resort’s World Manila.
Meg Imperial (Erika) and John Arcilla (Lt Franco); Watch A HARD DAY and other MMFF 2021 movies in SM Cinema AURA PREMIER & IMAX, SM Mall of Asia, SM North and all SM Supermalls.
John Arcilla (Lt Franco) and Lhian Gimeno (Yanni); Watch A HARD DAY and other MMFF 2021 movies in RED CARPET Cinemas – Shangri La Plaza Mall, Lucky Chinatown Mall, Eastwood City Mall and Resort’s World Manila. (39)
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From left: Ding Dong Dantes (Edmundo Villon), Kedebon Colim (Elton Dizon) and Janno Gibbs (Arturo). Watch A HARD DAY and other MMFF 2021 movies in Robinsons Place Manila, Robinsons Place Magnolia, Robinsons Place La Union and all Robinsons Malls.
Ding Dong Dantes (Edmundo Villon); Watch A HARD DAY and other MMFF 2021 movies in RED CARPET Cinemas – Shangri La Plaza Mall, Lucky Chinatown Mall, Eastwood City Mall and Resort’s World Manila. (41)
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Meg Imperial (Erika) at the SM MEGAMALL Premiere of A HARD DAY, December 23, 2021. Watch A HARD DAY and other MMFF 2021 movies in SM Cinema AURA PREMIER & IMAX, SM Mall of Asia, SM North and all SM Supermalls.
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A HARD DAY and other MMFF 2021 movies in Robinsons Place Manila, Robinsons Place Magnolia, Robinsons Place La Union and all Robinsons Malls.
Janno Gibbs (Arturo) at the SM MEGAMALL Premiere of A HARD DAY, December 23, 2021. Watch A HARD DAY and other MMFF 2021 movies in SM Cinema AURA PREMIER & IMAX, SM Mall of Asia, SM North and all SM Supermalls. (45)
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From left: Lou Veloso (Funeral Director) and Ding Dong Dantes (Edmundo Villon). Watch A HARD DAY and other blockbuster movies in Ayala Malls Manila Bay, Circuit Makati, Ayala Malls Marikina, Greenbelt and all Ayala Malls.
A HARD DAY and other MMFF 2021 movies in Robinsons Place Manila, Robinsons Place Magnolia, Robinsons Place La Union and all Robinsons Malls.
Ding Dong Dantes (Edmundo Villon); Watch A HARD DAY and other MMFF 2021 movies in SM Cinema AURA PREMIER & IMAX, SM Mall of Asia, SM North and all SM Supermalls. (48)
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Janno Gibbs (Arturo); Watch A HARD DAY and other MMFF 2021 movies in RED CARPET Cinemas – Shangri La Plaza Mall, Lucky Chinatown Mall, Eastwood City Mall and Resort’s World Manila.
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Watch MMFF 2021 and other blockbuster movies in RED CARPET Cinemas – Shangri La Plaza Mall, Lucky Chinatown Mall, Eastwood City Mall and Resort’s World Manila.
Watch A HARD DAY and other blockbuster movies in Ayala Malls Manila Bay, Circuit Makati, Ayala Malls Marikina, Greenbelt and all Ayala Malls.
John Arcilla (Lt Franco); Watch A HARD DAY and other blockbuster movies in Ayala Malls Manila Bay, Circuit Makati, Ayala Malls Marikina, Greenbelt and all Ayala Malls.
SM Cinema AURA PREMIER & IMAX
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SM Aura Premier
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A HARD DAY and other MMFF 2021 movies in Robinsons Place Manila, Robinsons Place Magnolia, Robinsons Place La Union and all Robinsons Malls.
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Text and Photos by Jude Bautista