'Tadhana' is top grossing local indie film of all time

Angelica Panganiban and JM De Guzman re-enact their pose on the poster of their movie “That Thing Called Tadhana” during the film's victory party last week. Photo: Handout

MANILA – “That Thing Called Tadhana” starring Angelica Panganiban and JM De Guzman has been declared the highest grossing independent film of all time.

After sold-out screenings in theaters nationwide, the movie is now scheduled to hit theaters in the United States starting on March 27.

According to the official figures, the blockbuster hit already amassed a staggering P134 million last month. It was able to pass the P100-million mark in less than two weeks since it first hit theaters.

Aside from being a box-office hit, the movie has also harvested numerous awards, including the Audience Choice and Best Actress awards at the 2014 Cinema One Originals Film Festival, as well as the Best Actor award at the Gawad Pasado.

“That Thing Called Tadhana” has also been selected in various international film festivals. Jadaone’s film will compete at the Osaka Asian Film Festival 2015 and will be part of the Los Angeles Asian Film Festival, and at the Hawaii International Film Festival.

“I am very excited because our Kapamilya abroad will have the chance to watch the film. I hope that ‘Tadhana’ will experience the same success abroad as it did here in the country,” Panganiban said.

As for De Guzman, he is truly grateful for everyone who watched his movie since this served as his comeback film.

“I am very thankful that the role of Anthony was given to me. From the very start, I have believed in the script and the people behind the film because ‘Tadhana’ has a very compelling story, but I did not expect that it would be such a big hit. Everything is happening so fast. I mean, we already have an international screening and we’re taking part in international film festivals. It’s so surreal,” he said.

Originally an entry to the Cinema One Originals Film Festival last year, the romantic-comedy by Antoinette Jadaone tells the story of Mace (Panganiban) and Anthony (de Guzman), strangers who meet at an airport in Rome, Italy, as they decide to go on a road trip in Luzon to help each other mend their broken hearts.