The best and formidable box-office triumvirate of showbiz – Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto and Joey de Leon will once again grace big screens with their comeback movie titled “Iskul Bukol: 20 Years After”.
“Iskul Bukol” the program that probably pioneered the situational comedies in the history of Philippine television was a great hit during the late ‘70s to ‘80s and is now one of the entries for this year’s 2008 Metro Manila Film Festival.
In a press conference for the movie, the trio even recounted their experiences during their “Iskul Bukol” days on TV and even shared the show’s history.
“’Yong Iskul Bukol walang pwedeng mag-claim kasi uso yan noong time na iyon. Iyong salit ay parang see you later-alligator, so school – iskul-bukol, nauso iyan noong mga time na ‘yon iyong hi there spider, may Gay and Pip pa, how’s sweet Gay and Pip parang mga ganoon uso iyan kaya ginamit lang namin,” de Leon said said.
“Alam niyo ba na ang unang inalok sa Iskul Bukol ay ang APO Hiking Society talagang (rival) namin sila, sila ang unang inalok kaya lang siningil yata ni Danny Javier ng P2,000 each doon sa sitcom kami cheap P800. Totoo ‘yan tanungin niyo ang mga producer. Pero kung tinanggap ng APO ‘yan hindi nangyari yung Escalera at Ungasis. Sa amin na nanggaling yon, siguradong friends lang sila (kung APO) eto tunay, ang magulo sa amin ay ginulo pa naming ang naging magkapatid kami ni Tito at si Vic ang nag-solo.”
For the record, “Iskul Bukol” on IBC-13 was the highest rating program during the late 70s. Iskul Bukol movies were also made one in 1977 and the Iskul Bukol (Freshmen) in 1980.
The trio said that young ones will also love to watch the newest movie adaptation of their sitcom since the parents of the youngster will definitely explain it to their kids.
“’Yong mga magulang alam nilang ipaliwanag ‘yon, de Leon said.
“In any school in the Philippines siguro maging sa ibang school laging mayroong nerd. Hindi nawawalan ng isang nerd sa isang eskwelahan at hindi din nawawalan ng mga naughty o pilyo. Iyon ang characterization ng mga tao sa Iskul Bukol. Di rin nawawalan ng masungit na teacher at mayroong mabait, so ngayon kahit hindi mo napanood iyon noong araw, iyong characters namin noon ay dala-dala pa din, although hindi na nga lang estudyante at reunion na nga lang pero dala pa din and people can always relate kahit ‘yong mga estudyante ngayon nasa high school.
“Ngayon parang mai-imagine nila ‘yong karaniwang nangyayari sa kanila, ‘yon din ang ginamit sa script ng Iskul Bukol (TV) every week. Every week yon naglalaro lang ‘yon sa Escalera brothers. Mandedelihensiya para magpang-Agogo Banana at ang number one na target lagi ay si Ungasis dahil pinapadalhan ng pera ng nanay galing sa Tiaong.
“So siya lagi ang target namin na hingan ng pera o delihensiyahan ng pera at siyempre nadadamay si Ms. Tapia at kahit sino si Ms. Tapia lagi niyang kakampi at si Mang Temi. So ‘yon nakaka-relate pa din kahit paano ‘yong sa ngayon,” former senator Tito Sotto said.
“Iskul Bukol: 20 Years After” is the reunion film of the trio, the group was last seen in the silver screen almost two decades ago for the film “I Have 3 Eggs” in 1990.
The film will chronicle the events that happened in the two decades since the TV series, after the Escalera brothers and Ungasis have graduated from ‘Wanbol University.’
The reunion film aims to reintroduce Iskul Bukol to the present crop of viewers. And to make the story more exciting, some parts were shot in Cambodia.
The story involves the thrilling search for the powerful ‘Peseta,’ one of the remaining 30 pieces of Judas’s silver which reportedly gives immortality to anyone who possesses it.
Members of the cast of “Iskul Bukol: 20 Years After”, aside from the legendary three actors-comedians also include Bibeth Orteza, Jimmy Santos, Mely Tagasa as the strict teacher Ms. Tapia, Richie D’ Horsie as himself, Anthony Roquek as the former gay Tonet Macho and Mary Massab.
Today’s stars include Ryan Agoncillo, Robert Villar, Carlene Aguilar, Oyo Sotto, Gian Sotto, Keempee de Leon, Francine Prieto, Krista Ranillo, Pauleen Luna and Nicole Uysiuseng.
For the movie, Megastar Sharon Cuneta is also making a special appearance as Tito and Joey’s younger sister, Sharon Escalera.
“Iskul Bukol: 20 Years After” is a co-production of OctoArts Films, M-Zet Films and APT Entertainment.