Coco Martin: No budget limit for ‘Ang Panday’ movie

MANILA—Money was not an issue for the production team behind the remake of "Ang Panday," Coco Martin's debut film as producer and director.

"Hindi ako nag-over budget kasi hindi ko alam magkano ang budget. Hindi ako nag-set ng limit na hanggang dito na lang tayo," Martin told reporters during the launch of the movie's counterpart mobile game app.

(I did not exceed our budget because I have no idea how much it is. I did not set a limit.)

"Ayokong masabi nila na, 'Ah, minadali at tinipid.' Binuhos ko na lahat para masulit bayad ng manonood," he added.

(I don't want people to say this was rushed and we didn't spend for it. I gave it my all so that the viewers can get their money's worth.)

The cast is composed of at least 80 actors and the movie was shot in various scenic spots throughout the country that were hard to reach.

“Dugo’t pawis talaga kasi iyong location namin talagang mahirap,” Martin said, adding that at one point the cast and crew had to walk to the top of a volcano.

(A lot of blood and sweat was poured into this project because our locations were very challenging.)

"Meron pa kaming cave na trinavel sa Biak na Bato. First time din nag-shooting dun kasi napakahirap puntahan," he added.

(We also went to a cave in Biak na Bato. It was the first time to hold a film shooting there because it was very difficult to reach.)

Martin said indie and mainstream moviemaking techniques will be evident in his version of the Carlo J. Caparas hit.

"Pinanganak ako sa indie, natuto ako sa mainstream. Kay Brillante Mendoza ako galing, so ang mindset walang imposible. Ayoko ng parang sobrang structured iyong palengke (kaya) tinuturo ko sa kanila strategy," he said.

(I started in indies, but I honed my craft in mainstream. I was handled by Brillante Mendoza so my mindset is always nothing's impossible. I also don't like structured locations so I taught them strategies.)

Martin said he also sought guidance from several actors and filmmakers such as Mendoza, Malu Sevilla and Lito Lapid to finish the latest Panday movie.

"Ang hirap kasi sinasabay ko siya sa '(Ang) Probinsyano' (taping). Ang sarap ng pakiramdam na sabi ko na, 'It's a wrap, pack up,' " he said.

"Ang Panday" is among the official entries to the Metro Manila Film Festival in December.

Previous versions of the komiks-based flick starred Fernando Poe Jr., Bong Revilla, Richard Gutierrez and Jericho Rosales.