Gagamboy

Gagamboy is a 2004 Philippine superhero comedy film directed by Erik Matti from a screenplay written by Dwight Gaston, based on an original story conceptualized by Matti, Gaston, and Roselle Monteverde-Teo. The film stars Vhong Navarro as the titular character, alongside Jay Manalo, Aubrey Miles, Long Mejia, Bearwin Meily, and Rene "Ate Glow" Facunla. Similar to the Spider-Man films, with a mutated spider that causes Junie to gain his superpowers and become the titular superhero.
Produced by MAQ Productions and distributed by Regal Entertainment, the film was theatrically released on January 1, 2004, as an entry to the 2003 [Metro Manila Film Festival|29th Metro Manila Film Festival].

Plot

Junie is an ice cream vendor who sells ice cream to children and adults alike. After his shift, he is in a predicament with a rival vendor, Dodoy. Their manager, angered by their actions, demotes Junie to a warehouse guard. Dodoy celebrates, only to be demoted too, working a different shift from Junie. Junie goes home in a bad mood until he sees the love of his life, Liana. After dinner, Junie is ready to sleep, to start a new job the next day. While working, Junie accidentally swallows a spider that has been exposed to a chemical spill, thus giving him web-slinging abilities, and becoming "Gagamboy". After his shift, Dodoy comes into work and leaves a sandwich unprotected. A cockroach exposed to the same spill as the spider slips into his sandwich, and as he eats it, he collapses, only to regain consciousness as a large cockroach. He hires two henchmen and calls himself "Ipisman". Junie and Dodoy both try to win Liana's love. Dodoy practically gives up, only to return as Cockroachman to kidnap Liana to lure Spiderboy to his lair. There, he plans to finish off Spiderboy, but the tables turn, and Dodoy is destroyed.

Cast

Vhong Navarro as Junie/Spiderboy/Gagamboy and woman
Jay Manalo as Dodoy/Cockroachman/Ipisman
Aubrey Miles as Liana
Long Mejia as Barangay Captain Gimo
Bearwin Meily as Assistant Barangay Captain Abner
Rene "Ate Glow" Facunla as Gloring
Andrew Schimmer
Benj Besa as Pip
Kiel Rodriguez as Boyet
Jay Aquitania as Guy
Janine Desiderio as Aswang
Mon Confiado as Snatcher
Ogie Diaz as Stage Manager
Benjamin Abellardo as Simeon
Chris Cruz as Bronson
Nikko Manalo as Boogie
Ernie Zarate as Boss
Kathryn Bernardo as Tsoknat
Joseph Roble as Kiamoy
Cyrus Valdez as Wiwi
Rudy Victel as Jack
Richard Somes as a security guard
Olive Gloria as an ukay-ukay vendor
Erik Matti as an ukay-ukay customer
James Montelibano as a goon and a dumpsite worker
Rashem Gumacal as a jailed drunk
Ronald Asinas as a goon

Production

Filming

According to director Erik Matti, Gagamboy served as the first film in the Philippine film industry to utilize wires and rigs for its sequences featuring flying and leaping. The production spent ₱2 million for constructing the shanty sets while ₱4 million was spent for the lead stars' costumes, which were designed by Benny and Liz Bactotoy.

Casting

According to lead star Vhong Navarro that while he initially thought of it as a joke, Regal Films founder and executive producer Lily Monteverde chose him to play the titular superhero.

Release

The film was shown at the 2004 Hong Kong International Film Festival.

Reception

Box office

The film opened on January 1, 2004, as a part of the 2003 Metro Manila Film Festival. The film opened seventh at the box office, earning 18 million in its first week, and eventually earning 27 million in its theatrical run.

Critical reception

Despite its low production qualities, the film received general praise due to its use of humor, especially in parodying other tokusatsu and superhero films. As a result, the film is well known in the Chinese kuso community.