Manila's Finest
{{Short description|2015 Filipino action film}}
{{Infobox film
| name = Manila's Finest
| image = Manila's Finest.jpg
| alt =
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| director = William G. Mayo
| producer = Prince Armodoval
| writer = Jose Carreon
| starring = {{Plainlist|
- Jeric Raval
- Bangs Garcia
- Mark Anthony Fernandez}}
| music = Edward G. Mayo
| cinematography = Edward G. Mayo
| editing = Edward G. Mayo
| studio = {{Plainlist|
- Prince Armor Productions
- Philippine Motion Pictures Directors Association
- Viva Films}}
| distributor = Viva Films
| released = {{Film date|2015|11|26|Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay|2015|12|9}}
| runtime =
| country = Philippines
| language = Filipino
| budget =
| gross =
}}
Manila's Finest is a 2015 Filipino action film directed by William G. Mayo and written by Jose Carreon. Inspired by the life of Manila Police Col. Jimmy Tiu, it stars Jeric Raval, Mark Anthony Fernandez, Bangs Garcia, Danilo "Brownie" Pansalin, Jay Prince Armodoval (also producer), Joko Diaz, Leo Martinez, Jao Mapa, Rich Asuncion and Rommel Padilla. Other than a special appearance in Gangster Lolo (2014), this was Raval's first starring role in 13 years, last starring in Mayo's 2002 film Lapu-Lapu.{{cite news|last=Regondola|first=Glenn|title=Former action star Jeric Raval reveals he used to work for Senator Lito Lapid|url=https://www.pep.ph/news/55674/former-action-star-jeric-raval-reveals-he-used-to-work-for-senator-lito-lapid|access-date=October 12, 2023|work=PEP.ph|publisher=Philippine Entertainment Portal Inc.|date=August 8, 2015}} Produced by Prince Armor Productions, the film was released by Viva Films on December 9, 2015.
Cast
{{Div col}}
- Jeric Raval as Col. Jimmy Tiu
- Mark Anthony Fernandez as Ismael Lorenzo
- Bangs Garcia as Miriam de Dios
- Danilo "Brownie" Pansalin as Gorez dela Cruz
- Jay Prince Armodoval as Jay Capapaz
- Joko Diaz as Brando
- Leo Martinez as Gen. Dela Paz
- Jao Mapa as Rico
- Rich Asuncion as Mylene de Dios
- Rommel Padilla as Col. Lazaro
- Dianne Medina as Jenny Tiu
- Jethro Ramirez as Bryan
- Alvin Anson as Akhmed Omar
- Boy Alano as lookout
- Janice Jurado as Aling Josie
- Amay Bisaya as snatcher
- Leon Miguel as rebel leader
- Rylan Flores as Jake
- Ghen Gabriel as Mrs. Dela Cruz
- Gypsy Briones as Sarah
- Regine Mendieta as wife of Nigerian
- Jim Gaines Jr. as Nigerian
- Sam Buensuceso as police asset
- JC Clint Nicolas as son of Nigerian
- Robert Rivera as rebel leader
- Levi Ignacio as Sgt. Villegaz
{{Div col end}}
Production
Manila's Finest was shot in the City of Manila and in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan.{{cite news|last=Fernando|first=Jeff|title=Whatever happened to Jeric Raval?|url=https://push.abs-cbn.com/2015/5/10/fresh-scoops/whatever-happened-to-jeric-raval-158183|access-date=October 12, 2023|work=Push.com.ph|publisher=ABS-CBN Corporation|date=May 10, 2015}} Other than a special appearance in Gangster Lolo (2014), Manila's Finest marks actor Jeric Raval's first starring role in 13 years, last starring in the 2002 film Lapu-Lapu.
Release
Manila's Finest was released in theaters on December 9, 2015;{{cite web|author=VIVA Films|title=MANILA'S FINEST [Trailer] In cinemas Dec. 9|url=https://www.facebook.com/VIVAFilms/videos/1080047142008509|website=Facebook|publisher=Meta Platforms, Inc.|date=November 27, 2015|quote=MANILA'S FINEST opens on December 9 in cinemas nationwide!}} Viva had previously aimed for a June 2015 release date. A press conference for the film was held on August 1, 2015, at the Mowelfund Plaza in Quezon City.{{cite news|last=Regondola|first=Glenn|title=Mark Anthony Fernandez says son Grae is mature enough to understand his separation from wife Melissa|url=https://www.pep.ph/news/55476/mark-anthony-fernandez-says-son-grae-is-mature-enough-to-understand-his-separation-from-wife-melissa|access-date=October 12, 2023|work=PEP.ph|publisher=Philippine Entertainment Portal Inc.|date=August 3, 2015|language=English, Filipino|quote=...[N]agpapasalamat si Mark na sa pamamagitan ng Manila's Finest, na ire-release ng Viva Films, ay muling ibinabalik ang action genre...}}{{cite news|last=Regondola|first=Glenn|title=Bangs Garcia on relationship with her Filipino-British boyfriend: 'Meant to be...'|url=https://www.pep.ph/news/55487/bangs-garcia-on-relationship-with-her-filipino-british-boyfriend-meant-to-be|access-date=October 12, 2023|work=PEP.ph|publisher=Philippine Entertainment Portal Inc.|date=August 3, 2015|language=English, Filipino|quote=Sa presscon ng pelikulang Manila's Finest, na ginanap sa Mowelfund noong August 1...}}
=Home media=
On September 1, 2021, Cine Mo! made the film available for streaming without charge on YouTube,{{cite web|author=Cine Mo!|title=MANILA'S FINEST: Jeric Raval, Bangs Garcia & Mark Anthony Fernandez | Full Movie|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=deaMRC69HEA|website=YouTube|publisher=Google LLC|access-date=October 12, 2023|date=September 1, 2021}} while also being available on Vivamax.{{cite web |title=Manila's Finest |url=https://www.vivamax.net/movie/T97234#/extra|website=Vivamax|publisher=Viva Communications|access-date=October 12, 2023}}
=Critical response=
ClickTheCity writer Philbert Dy gave the film one out of five stars, stating that it was "hilariously bad".{{cite news|last=Dy|first=Philbert|title='Manila's Finest' Functions on its Own Bizarre Wavelength|url=https://www.clickthecity.com/movies/article/18635/movie-review-manilas-finest-functions-on-its-own-bizarre-wavelength/|access-date=October 12, 2023|work=ClickTheCity|publisher=Surf Shop, Inc.|date=December 10, 2015}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{IMDb title|5258624}}
- {{Rotten Tomatoes|manilas_finest}}
{{William G. Mayo}}
{{Jose N. Carreon}}
Category:Action films based on actual events
Category:Filipino-language films