''Gagamboy'' is a 2004 Filipino

superhero A superhero or superheroine is a stock character that typically possesses ''superpowers'', abilities beyond those of ordinary people, and fits the role of the hero, typically using his or her powers to help the world become a better place, ...

comedy film A comedy film is a category of film which emphasizes humor. These films are designed to make the audience laugh through amusement. Films in this style traditionally have a happy ending (black comedy being an exception). Comedy is one of the ol ...

directed by

Erik Matti Erik Matti (born December 21, 1970) is a Filipino filmmaker. He is known for directing '' On the Job'' (2013), ''Honor Thy Father'' (2015), ''Seklusyon'' (2016), ''BuyBust'' (2018), and '' On the Job: The Missing 8'' (2021). Matti co-founded ...

and starring

Vhong Navarro Ferdinand Hipolito Navarro (born January 4, 1977), known professionally as Vhong Navarro, is a Filipino comedian, actor, dancer, recording artist and television host. He is a regular host on ABS-CBN's noontime variety show '' It's Showtime''. H ...

. It is similar to the ''

Spider-Man Spider-Man is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer-editor Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko, he first appeared in the anthology comic book '' Amazing Fantasy'' #15 (August 1962) in the ...

'' films, with a mutated spider that causes Gagamboy to gain his superpowers.

Plot

Junie (Navarro), 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 (

Jay Manalo Jay Manalo (born Jay Lan Manalo on 30 January 1976 in Saigon, South Vietnam) is a Filipino-Vietnamese singer, model, rapper, and actor. He was born in South Vietnam but raised in Tondo, Manila. He was born to a Filipino father and Vietnamese mo ...

). Their manager, angered by their actions, demotes Junie to a warehouse guard. Dodoy celebrates, only to be demoted too, working a different shift to Junie. Junie goes home in a bad mood, until he sees the love of his life, Liana (

Aubrey Miles Aubrey Santos Sandel-Miller (born March 16, 1982), known professionally as Aubrey Miles, is a Filipino television host, singer, model, and actress. Early life Aubrey Sandel was born on March 16, 1980 in Caloocan to Victorino Sandel and Maria P ...

). After dinner, Junie is ready to sleep, to start a new job the next day. While working, Junie accidentally swallows a spider which has been exposed to a chemical spill, thus giving him web slinging abilities, and becoming "Gagamboy"(Spiderboy). After his shift, Dodoy comes in to 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" (Cockroachman). 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

as Junie/Spiderboy/Gagamboy *

as Dodoy/Cockroachman/Ipisman *

as Liana * Long Mejia as Barangay Captain *

Bearwin Meily Bearwin Meily (born April 4, 1976) is a Filipino comedian actor, TV host and a recent vlogger. Early career He started his career as an extra ''Palibhasa Lalake'' in ABS-CBN and eventually became regular. Current career But later on he moved ...

as Assistant Barangay Captain * Rene Boy "Ate Glow" Facunla as Gloring *

Mon Confiado Ramon Veroy Confiado (born March 19, 1968), professionally known as Mon Confiado, is a Filipino character actor, theater actor and businessman who has appeared in both mainstream and independent films. He is the son of late veteran actor Ánge ...

as Snatcher

Release

The film was shown at the 2004

Hong Kong International Film Festival The Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF), is one of Asia’s oldest international film festivals. Founded in 1976, the festival features different movies, filmmakers from different countries in Hong Kong. HKIFF screens around 230 films ...

Critical reception

Despite its low production qualities, the film received general praise due to its use of humor, especially in parodying other ''

tokusatsu is a Japanese term for live action film or television drama that makes heavy use of practical special effects. ''Tokusatsu'' entertainment mainly refers to science fiction, War film, war, fantasy, or Horror film, horror media featuring such te ...

'' and

superhero film A superhero film (or superhero movie) is a film that focuses on the actions of superheroes. Superheroes are individuals who possess superhuman abilities and are dedicated to protecting the public. These films typically feature Action film, ac ...

s. As a result, the film is well known in the

Chinese Chinese can refer to: * Something related to China * Chinese people, people of Chinese nationality, citizenship, and/or ethnicity **''Zhonghua minzu'', the supra-ethnic concept of the Chinese nation ** List of ethnic groups in China, people of va ...

kuso ''Kuso'' is a term used in East Asia for the internet culture that generally includes all types of camp and parody. In Japanese, is a word that is commonly translated to English as curse words such as fuck, shit, damn, and bullshit, and is of ...

'' community.

Box office

The film opened on January 1, 2004, as a part of the

2003 Metro Manila Film Festival The 29th Metro Manila Film Festival was held in the Philippine International Convention Center, Pasay, Philippines, from December 25, 2003 to January 8, 2004. Maricel Soriano and Eric Quizon were chosen the Best Actress and Best Actor respectivel ...

. The film opened seventh in the box office, earning 18 million in its first week, and eventually earning 27 million in its theatrical run.

References

External links

* {{MMFF 2004 films Philippine science fiction action films Philippine science fantasy films Philippine comedy films 2004 science fiction films Regal Entertainment films Films directed by Erik Matti