An entertainment website reported that the movie Always, featuring real-life sweethearts Kim Chiu and Xian Lim, grossed less than P1 million on its opening day on 28 September.
But Chiu seems to be unaware of it — and probably doesn’t give a hoot. What she knows for sure is that the movie has been having block screenings since opening day. Tickets to such events are pre-sold and the gross sales is not a concern for the cinema since it charges a flat rental rate.
“Our fans have been supporting us through those endless block screenings. I am very thankful to them,” Chiu told media members at the launch of beauty brand Lifestrong Hairfix which she’s endorsing.
The Filipino-owned business is engaged in the distribution and marketing of personal care products since 2008.
Poor results
There were actually three foreign and another Filipino movie which also opened on 28 September.
But the word is that none of the three imported flicks—Harry Style’s psychological thriller Don’t Worry Darling, the psycho-horror Smile, and the Thai sci-fi thriller The Lake — grossed big on that day.
The other Pinoy movie, Sugat Sa Dugo: Ang Katotohanan — starring the young Khai Flores as an AIDS victim — was said to have fared worse.
Remake
Always is a remake of the 2011 Korean drama that has been translated to five Asian languages, the Philippines as the fifth.
Chiu said she and Lim, despite being so happy with each other’s company, are not contemplating marriage — at least not yet at this point.
“We’re too young to get married!” said Chiu, 32. Lim is 33.
Meanwhile, most of the cinemas have not been drawing crowds, even as pandemic restrictions have eased.
People get their entertainment fare online, free TV and other platforms.
GMA 7 is apparently the leading broadcast network with its nationwide franchise and content that matches ABS-CBN.
Net 25 has been airing new shows featuring top personalities from the other networks and has also been sustaining old shows.
We’ll report about the stronger competition now among TV networks soon.