Donny Pangilinan’s upcoming film, “GG (Good Game)” focuses on esports.
Dubbed the first full-length esports film in the Philippines, “GG” tells the story of an aspiring gamer Seth (Donny) who gets into a “competitive barkada gaming” while facing a “challenging family environment.”
Note it is a family affair.
His mom, Maricel Laxa, stars with him.
His dad, Anthony, is co-producing the film with Manny V. Pangilinan’s Cignal Entertainment through Mediaworks.
His sister Hanna, is creative producer.
But Maricel insisted the whole thing starts and ends with Donny at the forefront.
“Donny believes in this movie so much that he is a major stakeholder and investor in this film,” she said. “He has been part of it from beginning to end and he continues to be part of it, whether behind the scenes or with the cast or crew. I’m very proud to be part of this film also because his whole heart and soul is in it.”
So, how is it working with her children?
“Well, as long as sumusunod ako sa kanila, walang problema. Ibig sabihin kasi, maayos ko naman siguro silang pinalaki. Now, they’re experts in their field, so, respeto na lang ang binibigay ko.”
Anthony maintained “GG” is relatable to everyone, not just gamers.
“Kung ano man ang era niyo, covered ‘yan sa pelikula. This is really for all, gamers, young, and old,” he said.
“We believe this kind of movie deserves to be in the cinemas, not just for the younger generation but also for Filipinos to take pride din.”
Note the production team actually hired game consultants to teach the actors in all aspects of esports.
They even tapped Metasports to create an original game, titled “Requiem,” to be used in the film.
“We didn’t want to portray people from this community in the wrong way. Alam namin hindi ito biro… This is a big deal to us,” Donny said.
He added, “Sobrang dream come true ito para sa akin. Ever since na pumasok ako sa showbiz, isa sa pangarap ko talaga ay to have a project with my mom. When I got the script, I was given the idea of portraying a mother and a son in this way, in this manner. Parang naging isang karangalan na makasama ko ang isang Maricel Laxa. ‘Yun lang ang masasabi ko, as the years goes by, it will probably be a movie that we’ll be proud that we did.”
Also in the film’s cast: Baron Geisler, Johannes Isler, Iggy Boy Flores, and Gold Aceron.