''Iskul Bukol 20 Years After (Ungasis and Escaleras Adventure)'' is a 2008 Filipino

adventure An adventure is an exciting experience or undertaking that is typically bold, sometimes risky. Adventures may be activities with danger such as traveling, exploring, skydiving, mountain climbing, scuba diving, river rafting, or other extreme spo ...

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 ...

starring actors

Tito Sotto Vicente Castelo Sotto III (; born August 24, 1948), professionally known as Tito Sotto, is a Filipino politician, entertainer and athlete who served as Senate President from 2018 to 2022. Before that, had two stints each as Senate Majority Lea ...

Vic Sotto Marvic Valentin Castelo Sotto (; born April 28, 1954), professionally known as Vic Sotto, is a Filipino actor, singer and comedian known far and wide for his various television and film projects on the major Philippine television networks GMA ...

, and

Joey de Leon Jose Maria Ramos de Leon Jr. (born October 14, 1946), professionally known as Joey de Leon, is a Filipino comedian, actor, television presenter and songwriter. He hosts the noontime variety show ''Eat Bulaga!'' He is a member of the comedy trio ...

. It is part of the ''Iskul Bukol'' franchise, depicting its characters 20 years after the end of the original TV series. It is also the fourth ''Iskul Bukol'' film (after 1977's ''Iskul Bukol the Movie'', 1980's ''Iskul Bukol Freshmen'', and 1987's ''The Best of Iskul Bukol: The Movie''). The movie, which was a joint collaboration of

APT Entertainment APT Entertainment, Inc. is a television and film production company in the Philippines. History APT Entertainment, Inc. is a subsidiary of TAPE Inc., and the producer of the longest-running noontime variety show, ''Eat Bulaga!''. APT stands ...

, M-ZET Productions, and

OctoArts Films OctoArts Films (also known as OctoArts Films International for foreign films) is a Filipino film production and distribution company founded in 1989 by Orly R. Ilacad. A veteran record producer, Ilacad only decided to establish the film company ...

, was one of the movies exhibited at the

2008 Metro Manila Film Festival The 34th Annual 2008 Metro Manila Film Festival started from December 25, 2008 to January 7, 2009. This year marks the return of the Escalera brothers in ''Iskul Bukol 20 Years After (Ungasis and Escaleras Adventure)'' and the hardworking mother, ...

Premise

Vic Ungasis (Vic Sotto) is an

archaeologist Archaeology or archeology is the scientific study of human activity through the recovery and analysis of material culture. The archaeological record consists of artifacts, architecture, biofacts or ecofacts, sites, and cultural landscap ...

who has recovered the Kali of Humabon and is looking for a partner sword, the Kampilan of

Lapulapu Lapulapu or Lapu-Lapu (ᜎᜉ̰-ᜎᜉ̰), whose name was first recorded as Çilapulapu, was a datu (chief) of Mactan in the Visayas in the Philippines. He is best known for the Battle of Mactan that happened at dawn on April 27, 1521, where h ...

, plus the Peseta, one of

Judas Iscariot Judas Iscariot (; grc-x-biblical, Ἰούδας Ἰσκαριώτης; syc, ܝܗܘܕܐ ܣܟܪܝܘܛܐ; died AD) was a disciple and one of the original Twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ. According to all four canonical gospels, Judas betraye ...

30 pieces of silver Thirty pieces of silver was the price for which Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus, according to an account in the Gospel of Matthew 26:15 in the New Testament. Before the Last Supper, Judas is said to have gone to the chief priests and agreed to hand ...

which reportedly gives the bearer

immortality Immortality is the concept of eternal life. Some modern species may possess biological immortality. Some scientists, futurists, and philosophers have theorized about the immortality of the human body, with some suggesting that human immorta ...

, while taking care of a Cambodian-Filipino boy (

Buboy Villar Robert "Buboy" Tamayo Villar, Jr. (born March 21, 1998) is a Filipino actor, comedian, host and singer. He is currently signed under GMA's talent agency Sparkle. Early life Robert Tamayo Villar, Jr. was born on March 21, 1998 in Cebu City but ...

) who was orphaned when his parents were killed. Upon returning home, he reunites with the Escalera brothers (Tito Sotto and Joey de Leon), who have become successful real-estate developers. The trio attends a reunion, which includes some of the original cast of ''

Iskul Bukol ''Iskul Bukol'' is a Philippine situational comedy show that aired on the IBC-13 network from October 1978 to 1988. It starred Filipino comedians Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto, and Joey de Leon. The show centered around student life in the fictional Wanbo ...

'', and their relatives. Meanwhile, a

Yakuza , also known as , are members of transnational organized crime syndicates originating in Japan. The Japanese police and media, by request of the police, call them , while the ''yakuza'' call themselves . The English equivalent for the term ...

(Woo) who has acquired the Kampilan wants the Peseta so it could be merged with the sword for unmatched power.

Cast

as Tito Escalera *

as Vic Ungasis *

as Joey Escalera *

Gian Sotto Gian Carlo Gamboa Sotto (; born March 18, 1978) is a Filipino actor and politician who has served as the 18th vice mayor of Quezon City since 2019, under the mayoralty of Joy Belmonte. A member of the local Serbisyo sa Bayan Party, Sotto pre ...

aa Gianni Escalera *

Oyo Boy Sotto Vittorio Mari Bonnevie Sotto (; born January 12, 1984), known professionally as Oyo Boy Sotto, is a Filipino actor. He is the son of Filipino actor-comedian-host Vic Sotto and Swiss-Filipino singer-actress Dina Bonnevie, nephew of Senator Tito ...

as Yoyo Ungasis *

Keempee de Leon Joseph Joachim Tugas de Leon (born January 8, 1973), better known as Keempee de Leon, is a Filipino actor, comedian, singer, songwriter and TV host. He is the son of Joey de Leon and Daria Ramirez. Career Keempee de Leon started his career in ...

as Wympy Escalera *

Mely Tagasa Abimaela Palomo Tagasa (April 16, 1935 – March 24, 2018), better known as Mely Tagasa, was a Filipino actress, screenwriter and dubbing producer. She was widely known for playing Miss Tapia in the sitcoms ''Baltic & Co.'' ( GMA) and ''Iskul B ...

as Liwayway Gawgaw Tapia aka Miss Tapia *

Jose Manalo Ariel Pagtalonia Manalo (born February 12, 1966), known professionally as Jose Manalo, is a Filipino actor, director, and comedian best known for appearing regularly on the noon-time variety show ''Eat Bulaga!'' on GMA Network. He is also known ...

as Jude *

Carlene Aguilar Carlene Ang Aguilar-Ocampo (; born February 8, 1982) is a Filipino-Chinese actress and former beauty queen, having been crowned Miss Philippines Earth 2001 and Binibining Pilipinas World 2005. Biography Carlene Aguilar was born on February 8, ...

as Alice John *

Bianca King Bianca Charlotte King-Wintle (born 18 March 1985) is a German-born Filipino-Canadian former actress best known for playing the role as Noemi Manansala in the thriller drama series '' Sinner or Saint'' (2011), as Aviona in the hit ''fantaserye'' ...

as Girlie, Ungasis' secretary *

Jimmy Santos Jimmy Santos may refer to: * Jimmy Santos (singer), Afro-Uruguayan vocalist * Jimmy Santos (actor) Jaime Santos (born October 8, 1951), professionally known as Jimmy Santos, is a Filipino actor, comedian, TV host, and former professional basketb ...

as Big J, the Escalera brothers' driver *

Benjie Paras Venancio Johnson Paras Jr. (born October 2, 1968), better known as Benjie Paras, is a Filipino actor, comedian, and a retired professional basketball player who played for Shell Turbo Chargers and San Miguel Beermen of the Philippine Basketb ...

as Genie, one of Ungasis' colleagues in the university's history department *

Robert Villar Robert "Buboy" Tamayo Villar, Jr. (born March 21, 1998) is a Filipino actor, comedian, host and singer. He is currently signed under GMA's talent agency Sparkle. Early life Robert Tamayo Villar, Jr. was born on March 21, 1998 in Cebu City but ...

as Oohn, a Filipino-Cambodian child. * Jacky Woo as Shimata *

Francine Prieto Anna Marie Falcon (born September 17, 1982 in Las Piñas, Philippines), known by her stage name Francine Prieto is a Filipino actress, fashion model, radio DJ, and singer. She is Chinese Filipino of half Norwegian descent. Education Prieto s ...

as Brenda, Shimata's moll *

Pauleen Luna Marie Pauleen Luna Sotto (born Marie Pauleen Javier Luna; born November 10, 1988) is a Filipino actress and television personality. She appears on GMA Network, particularly as one of the regular hosts of the long-running Philippine variety sho ...

as Patty * Krista Ranillo as Faye *

Nicole Uysiuseng Nicole Kim Uysiuseng-del Prado (born August 18, 1990), is a former Filipino actress, model, and was the second runner-up of the reality television show Pinoy Big Brother: Teen Edition Plus. She was also a member of ABS-CBN's Star Magic. Takin ...

as Tessa *

Redford White Cipriano "Dodoy" M. Cermeño II (December 5, 1955 – July 25, 2010), better known by his screen name Redford White, was a Filipino actor and comedian. He was best known on his role as Sol in the television sitcom ''Buddy and Sol'' opposite Eric Q ...

as Redford *

Jhong Hilario Virgilio Viernes Hilario Jr. (born August 11, 1976), professionally known as Jhong Hilario, is a Philippines, Filipino actor, dancer, television host, and politician. He is part of the Filipino dance group ''Streetboys''. He is currently servin ...

as Fernando, Oohn's Filipino father *

Ryan Agoncillo Kristoffer Lou Gonzales Agoncillo (, born April 10, 1979), known professionally as Ryan Agoncillo, is a Filipino actor, model, photographer, recording artist and TV host. Career Agoncillo started as a model at the age of fifteen, beginning as ...

as Samnang, Oohn's stepfather *

Aira Bermudez Aira Bermudez (born September 6, 1983), is a Filipino people, Filipina dancer and actress. She is the former leader of Philippine dance group, the SexBomb Girls after the succession of Rochelle Pangilinan from 2011 to 2017, also she is head cho ...

as a dancer during the reunion * EB Babes as dancers during the reunion

Original TV series cast

Many members of the original 1978 TV series cast appear in the movie, aside from the three leads. They include Anthony Roquel (Tonette Macho),

(Miss Tapia),

Sharon Cuneta Sharon Gamboa Cuneta-Pangilinan ( , ; born January 6, 1966) is a Filipino actress, singer, television host, and socialite. Regarded as one of the most successful and highest-earning individuals in the Philippine entertainment industry, she has ...

(Sharon Escalera),

(Redford), Ariel Villasanta (Pekto), Bibeth Orteza (Bibeth Belibet), Kaye Torres (Kaye Flores) and

Richie D'Horsie Ricardo Reyes (September 13, 1956 – April 17, 2015), professionally known as Richie D'Horsie (), was a Filipino actor and comedian. Early life Reyes was born in Manila, Philippines on September 13, 1956. Career Reyes rose to fame as a sidekick ...

(Richie "Kabayo"). Vic Sotto said the decision to get Richie D'Horsie for the film was difficult, considering that he, Tito Sotto, and Joey de Leon have bailed him out several times in past years due to drug charges but he did not change his ways. The trio stressed that the latest bail, where they paid , will be his last chance to reform. Ritchie D'Horsie eventually appeared on set during the last shooting day on November 11, 2008. The character of Mang Tem-i was retired as Bing Angeles had died in 2001. The movie was dedicated to him and series producer Emmanuel "Boy" Gatus, who died in October 2008. The movie was

's final film appearance before his death in 2010. Certain characters were introduced as an homage to past series characters. Joey de Leon's son,

, plays Wympy, Joey Escalera's son by series character Patty Pulupot, a dancer at the Agogo Banana

strip club A strip club is a venue where strippers provide adult entertainment, predominantly in the form of striptease or other Erotic dancing, erotic or exotic dances. Strip clubs typically adopt a nightclub or Bar (establishment), bar style, and can also ...

. Gian Sotto, Tito Sotto's son, plays Gianni, Tito Escalera's son by Pulupot's colleague, Mercy Taga.

Bubble Gang ''Bubble Gang'' is a Philippine television sketch comedy show broadcast by GMA Network. Directed by Frasco Mortiz, it stars Michael V. It premiered on October 20, 1995 on the network's Friday night line up replacing '' Vilma''. The show is the ...

mainstay Mykah appears in a short scene as Mang Tem-i's daughter Tem-ita.

Development

Vic Sotto first revealed during a 2007 episode of the GMA documentary show

I-Witness ''i-Witness'', formerly ''i-Witness: The GMA Documentaries'' is a Philippine television documentary show broadcast by GMA Network and GMA News TV. Originally hosted by Vicky Morales, Luchi Cruz-Valdes, Mike Enriquez, Cheche Lazaro and Jessic ...

that he wished to do a reunion movie with the surviving cast members of ''Iskul Bukol''. He later said that after four straight Enteng Kabisote movies, it was high time that the comic trio got back together on the big screen. On July 2, 2008, Vic's film production company, M-ZET Films, submitted a script written by fellow cast member Bibeth Orteza, intended for the

(MMFF). The entry entitled ''Vic Ungasis en the Escaleras'' was immediately approved by the MMFF jurors. The title was changed to ''Escalera and Ungasis: 20 Years After'', which reunited the main characters for the first time since the original TV series. The movie's title was changed again to ''Iskul Bukol 20 Years After: Ungasis and Escaleras Adventure'' in order to gain strong audience recall, owing its large fanbase to people who grew up during the TV show's original run. Filming began in late September 2008. Vic Sotto, Ryan Agoncillo, and Jose Manalo joined the crew in shooting the foreign scenes in

Cambodia Cambodia (; also Kampuchea ; km, កម្ពុជា, UNGEGN: ), officially the Kingdom of Cambodia, is a country located in the southern portion of the Indochinese Peninsula in Southeast Asia, spanning an area of , bordered by Thailand t ...

from October 7 to 14. The crew wrapped up production on November 11, 2008, when the movie's reunion scene was shot at the Sta. Catalina College in Manila.

Critical reception

The film gathered mixed reviews. On the positive side, Phillip Cu-Unjieng of the

Philippine Star ''The Philippine Star'' (self-styled ''The Philippine STAR'') is an English-language newspaper in the Philippines and the flagship brand of the Philstar Media Group. First published on July 28, 1986, by veteran journalists Betty Go-Belmonte, M ...

said the film appealed to young viewers because of the action-adventure element, while older fans of the show can relate to the characters that come back after a long time. On the negative side,

Manila Times ''The Manila Times'' is the oldest extant English-language newspaper in the Philippines. It is published daily by The Manila Times Publishing Corp. (formerly La Vanguardia Publishing Corporation) with editorial and administrative offices at 2/F ...

contributor Joey Ting said the film's comedic elements were rehashed staples of Tito, Vic, and Joey's usual skits. The review by Judith Juntilla of

Business World ''BusinessWorld'' is a business newspaper in the Philippines with a nationwide circulation of more than 117,000 (as of March 2014). Founded in 1967 as ''Business Day'', it is Southeast Asia's first daily business newspaper. History ''Busin ...

criticized the film's concentration on action-adventure as a Iskul Bukol-oriented version of Enteng Kabisote's plots over the years, instead of focusing on what has happened to other Iskul Bukol characters in the past two decades beyond the film's reunion scene. The film eventually earned in earnings for the Metro Manila Film Festival and earned its Third Best Picture award, behind '' Ang Tanging Ina Nyong Lahat'' and top awardee,

Baler A baler or hay baler is a piece of farm machinery used to compress a cut and raked crop (such as hay, cotton, flax straw, salt marsh hay, or silage) into compact bales that are easy to handle, transport, and store. Often, bales are configured ...

.Ang Tanging Ina N'yong Lahat tops 2008 Metrofest with P171-M
Philstar.com (January 12, 2009). Retrieved on January 14, 2017.

Awards

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Iskul Bukol 20 Years After (Ungasis And Escaleras Adventure) 2008 comedy films 2008 films 2000s Tagalog-language films Filipino-language films OctoArts Films films APT Entertainment films M-Zet Productions films Philippine comedy films Films shot in Cambodia 2000s English-language films Films directed by Tony Y. Reyes