The Remarkable Firsts in Donny Pangilinan’s Film “Good Game” | ABS-CBN
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The Remarkable Firsts in Donny Pangilinan’s Film “Good Game”
The Remarkable Firsts in Donny Pangilinan’s Film “Good Game”
Janelle Roa Cabrera-Paraiso
Published Jan 24, 2024 05:30 PM PHT
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Updated Jan 24, 2024 07:55 PM PHT
Good Game is the first ever film to take the esports community as its centerpiece, exposing truths that surround the gaming scene. It tackles themes that underscore the gamer’s unique experience, embarking on the lives of the lesser-acknowledged.
Good Game is the first ever film to take the esports community as its centerpiece, exposing truths that surround the gaming scene. It tackles themes that underscore the gamer’s unique experience, embarking on the lives of the lesser-acknowledged.
Revolving around friendship, family, dreams, and dignity, the Donny Pangilinan starrer follows the story of an avid gamer, Seth, who aspires to pursue gaming as a profession. He believes that he is best at playing games, and practices all the time to arrive at his grander goals.
Revolving around friendship, family, dreams, and dignity, the Donny Pangilinan starrer follows the story of an avid gamer, Seth, who aspires to pursue gaming as a profession. He believes that he is best at playing games, and practices all the time to arrive at his grander goals.
Apart from the Can’t Buy Me Love actor, the film’s cast features Maricel Laxa-Pangilinan, Boots Anson-Roa, Baron Geisler, Gold Aceron, Igi Boy Flores, Kaleb Ong, Johannes Risler, and the mysterious Icebox. Meanwhile, Anthony Pangilinan, Jake Ejercito, Kim Atienza, Bigboy Cheng, Jake San Diego, Nicole Borromeo, and John Arcilla also made appearances.
Apart from the Can’t Buy Me Love actor, the film’s cast features Maricel Laxa-Pangilinan, Boots Anson-Roa, Baron Geisler, Gold Aceron, Igi Boy Flores, Kaleb Ong, Johannes Risler, and the mysterious Icebox. Meanwhile, Anthony Pangilinan, Jake Ejercito, Kim Atienza, Bigboy Cheng, Jake San Diego, Nicole Borromeo, and John Arcilla also made appearances.
The late Ronaldo Valdez, who passed away last December 2023, portrayed Donny’s grandfather, too. As a tribute to the great man, the cast of the movie dedicates Good Game to Ronaldo, and declared their sincerest thanks to him in a press junket.
The late Ronaldo Valdez, who passed away last December 2023, portrayed Donny’s grandfather, too. As a tribute to the great man, the cast of the movie dedicates Good Game to Ronaldo, and declared their sincerest thanks to him in a press junket.
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Boots Anson-Roa, Ronaldo’s partner in the film, looked back on Ronaldo’s lively facade. “I know Ronaldo. Mahilig ’yun mag-kengkoy sa pelikula. Lahat tayo, na-experience natin ’yun. Baka nandidito lang yan sa pali-paligid. Baka mamaya gulatin niya tayo,” she bantered.
Boots Anson-Roa, Ronaldo’s partner in the film, looked back on Ronaldo’s lively facade. “I know Ronaldo. Mahilig ’yun mag-kengkoy sa pelikula. Lahat tayo, na-experience natin ’yun. Baka nandidito lang yan sa pali-paligid. Baka mamaya gulatin niya tayo,” she bantered.
Directed by Prime Cruz, Good Game or GG the Movie is produced by Mediaworks, Cignal Entertainment, and Create Cinema in partnership with ABS-CBN’s Star Cinema and in collaboration with Acer, Chatime Philippines, Predator Gaming, Rudy Project, Smart, and Volvo. The movie is in cinemas starting today, January 24.
Directed by Prime Cruz, Good Game or GG the Movie is produced by Mediaworks, Cignal Entertainment, and Create Cinema in partnership with ABS-CBN’s Star Cinema and in collaboration with Acer, Chatime Philippines, Predator Gaming, Rudy Project, Smart, and Volvo. The movie is in cinemas starting today, January 24.
What are Donny’s firsts in the film Good Game? Keep scrolling and know more about the movie!
1. Good Game is the first Filipino full-length film that tackles and expounds on professional esports, and centers on the gaming community.
Donny Pangilinan is trying on a new hat as the narrative of Good Game takes center stage with the community that it represents. It tells the story of a gamer who spends twice the time on playing games. In a press conference with the cast of the movie, Donny shared the many realizations that he arrived at. “For me, the fact that we were able to portray gamers with his caliber—high-caliber—mas lalong tumaas ’yung respeto ko sa kanila nang sobra,” he told the audience. “It really made me respect more professional gamers and how much hard work they put into it. It’s really a real profession; it shouldn’t be taken lightly.”
Donny Pangilinan is trying on a new hat as the narrative of Good Game takes center stage with the community that it represents. It tells the story of a gamer who spends twice the time on playing games. In a press conference with the cast of the movie, Donny shared the many realizations that he arrived at. “For me, the fact that we were able to portray gamers with his caliber—high-caliber—mas lalong tumaas ’yung respeto ko sa kanila nang sobra,” he told the audience. “It really made me respect more professional gamers and how much hard work they put into it. It’s really a real profession; it shouldn’t be taken lightly.”
Donny also expressed admiration for members of esports. “Sobrang saludo ako sa inyo. That’s why we really made sure to always have our gaming consultants on set. We didn’t want to portray people from this community the wrong way kasi siyempre, alam naming hindi ’to biro. It’s actually something that is very serious,” he mused. “There are competitions worldwide, you know? It’s already considered a sport on many levels so this is a big deal to us. Everything—our hand movements, the way we would communicate with each other—lahat po ’yun, we really took it to heart. Sobrang naging parang experience [ito] na hindi ko makakalimutan ever,” the headliner highlighted.
Donny also expressed admiration for members of esports. “Sobrang saludo ako sa inyo. That’s why we really made sure to always have our gaming consultants on set. We didn’t want to portray people from this community the wrong way kasi siyempre, alam naming hindi ’to biro. It’s actually something that is very serious,” he mused. “There are competitions worldwide, you know? It’s already considered a sport on many levels so this is a big deal to us. Everything—our hand movements, the way we would communicate with each other—lahat po ’yun, we really took it to heart. Sobrang naging parang experience [ito] na hindi ko makakalimutan ever,” the headliner highlighted.
2. Donny and his mother Maricel Laxa-Pangilinan were in the movie together, and it was the first time that the two shared the big screen.
Good Game is a true gem for Donny as he got to act alongside his mother Maricel Laxa-Pangilinan in it. Maricel is also his mother in the themed movie, making it an even more memorable experience. In fact, on Instagram, Donny penned a message for his mom.
Good Game is a true gem for Donny as he got to act alongside his mother Maricel Laxa-Pangilinan in it. Maricel is also his mother in the themed movie, making it an even more memorable experience. In fact, on Instagram, Donny penned a message for his mom.
“Dear Mama, tonight is our premiere night and I just want to say it was an absolute honor working with you on our first film together. It’s not every day you get to work with your mom on set. Dream-come-true for me,” he posted, featuring a sweet snapshot of him and Maricel. “Thank you for being so cool and so g. Love you more than Seth loves gaming.”
“Dear Mama, tonight is our premiere night and I just want to say it was an absolute honor working with you on our first film together. It’s not every day you get to work with your mom on set. Dream-come-true for me,” he posted, featuring a sweet snapshot of him and Maricel. “Thank you for being so cool and so g. Love you more than Seth loves gaming.”
In the media conference, meanwhile, the Good Game star said: “You might think it’s easy kasi siyempre, close kami and everything. But maybe that’s why it was kind of hard for me kasi I had to separate being a son in real life talaga from this version of Donny on set.”
In the media conference, meanwhile, the Good Game star said: “You might think it’s easy kasi siyempre, close kami and everything. But maybe that’s why it was kind of hard for me kasi I had to separate being a son in real life talaga from this version of Donny on set.”
Donny’s father Anthony Pangilinan and his sister Hannah Pangilinan figured in the project, too. Anthony’s production outfit Mediaworks produced the offering while Hannah is the co-writer and co-producer. In Good Game’s press con, Anthony revealed that he really cried while watching the film for the first time. He is hopeful that the movie will bring members of the family together, too.
Donny’s father Anthony Pangilinan and his sister Hannah Pangilinan figured in the project, too. Anthony’s production outfit Mediaworks produced the offering while Hannah is the co-writer and co-producer. In Good Game’s press con, Anthony revealed that he really cried while watching the film for the first time. He is hopeful that the movie will bring members of the family together, too.
“Our hope is that the parents will tell the kids—the gamers—‘kailangan n’yong panoorin ’to para alam n’yo pinagdadaanan namin.’ At the same time, sasabihin ng mga gamer, ‘mom, dad, panoorin n’yo to para alam n’yo ’yung mundo namin.’ So that is our hope for everyone who will watch the film,” Anthony finished.
“Our hope is that the parents will tell the kids—the gamers—‘kailangan n’yong panoorin ’to para alam n’yo pinagdadaanan namin.’ At the same time, sasabihin ng mga gamer, ‘mom, dad, panoorin n’yo to para alam n’yo ’yung mundo namin.’ So that is our hope for everyone who will watch the film,” Anthony finished.
3. Apart from acting in Good Game, Donny was also part of the film as a producer.
Besides being its lead, Donny just launched a new role as he navigated producing in his latest project. According to an ABS-CBN News article, he even encountered perpetual problems and solutions. “This is my first film as a producer, and just seeing everything behind the scenes is from a whole different perspective talaga,” said Donny. “I have so much respect for everyone behind the camera, kasi hindi talaga biro ’yung pinagdadaanan [nila]. Doon mo talaga makikita ’yung puyat, ’yung never-ending calls, never-ending problems and solutions.”
Besides being its lead, Donny just launched a new role as he navigated producing in his latest project. According to an ABS-CBN News article, he even encountered perpetual problems and solutions. “This is my first film as a producer, and just seeing everything behind the scenes is from a whole different perspective talaga,” said Donny. “I have so much respect for everyone behind the camera, kasi hindi talaga biro ’yung pinagdadaanan [nila]. Doon mo talaga makikita ’yung puyat, ’yung never-ending calls, never-ending problems and solutions.”
4. Donny changed his hair color for the first time for the film!
Donny’s character Seth demanded changes for him to do, and that includes trying out a new hairstyle. He never thought he could take on a bleached hair, but for the sake of the movie, he managed to sport one. Donny shared, “Actually, si Hannah nagsabi nu’n, e. ‘Kuya, you have to bleach your hair.’ And I was like, ‘there’s no way I’m ever gonna do that.’ But look what happened, guys. I had to bleach my hair, and that’s real color! I really had to color my hair. For two months, that was my hair!”
Donny’s character Seth demanded changes for him to do, and that includes trying out a new hairstyle. He never thought he could take on a bleached hair, but for the sake of the movie, he managed to sport one. Donny shared, “Actually, si Hannah nagsabi nu’n, e. ‘Kuya, you have to bleach your hair.’ And I was like, ‘there’s no way I’m ever gonna do that.’ But look what happened, guys. I had to bleach my hair, and that’s real color! I really had to color my hair. For two months, that was my hair!”
5. It was Donny’s first time to star solo in a film without his leading lady Belle Mariano.
After being in almost every film together as a love team, it was a first for Donny to embark on a major movie without his onscreen partner and the other half of the DonBelle tandem, Belle Mariano. However, while she is not part of Donny’s newest movie and has her own projects, she made sure to express her support by being present at Good Game’s premiere.
After being in almost every film together as a love team, it was a first for Donny to embark on a major movie without his onscreen partner and the other half of the DonBelle tandem, Belle Mariano. However, while she is not part of Donny’s newest movie and has her own projects, she made sure to express her support by being present at Good Game’s premiere.
Take a look at Good Game’s trailer:
Lead photos by @gp10 and from @donny
Lead photos by @gp10 and from @donny
Related Story: Donny Pangilinan and Belle Mariano's Bold New Era
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