Janno Gibbs defends ‘Pakboys Takusa’: ‘Pure humor, not about political correctness’

Pakboys Takusa star Janno Gibbs defended the film, an entry to the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), from negative reactions to its trailer.

In the trailer, Dennis Padilla’s character Bruno sleeps with a woman who is not his wife. The “gag” in that part of the trailer is that the woman urinates while standing up – a joke that many saw as disrespectful towards transgender people.

In a press conference on Wednesday, December 2, the singer-actor defended the movie from detractors.

“I think it’s clear na this is not a movie na para hanapan ninyo ng life lessons and political correctness. I think we have a lot of other movies sa Film fest na makakahanap kayo ng ganun. This is pure humor. This is a straight-out comedy. This is not a heartwarming movie, this is not yung maraming lessons…talagang straight pagpapatawa lang,” he said.

(I think it’s clear that this isn’t a movie you’ll find life lessons and political correctness from. We have other movies in the MMFF where you’ll find just that. This is pure humor, a straight-out comedy. This is not a heartwarming movie, this isn’t the place for lessons. It’s just about comedy.)

“We are very sorry. Alam naming may mga na offend (We know there are those who were offended) but this is not a politically correct movie.”

Dennis, in explaining that he respects the LGBTQ+ community, pointed out that his eldest daughter in the US is married to a woman.

“My eldest daughter Dianne, who is 30 years old, is married to Katx who is also a woman. And I respect them because mahal nung anak ko (my daughter loves her).”

“So nung kinasal sila I was happy for them. I don’t think na ako pa ang babastos sa LGBT eh yung daughter ko, ang asawa ay babae,” he said.

(So when they got married, I was happy for them. I don’t think I would disrespect the LGBT when my daughter is married to a woman.)

Photo from Viva

Giselle Sanchez, who hosted the press conference, said: “I also like to speak on behalf of Viva that this is a Pinoy comedy movie. And it was beautiful that Janno did apologize but from the writers and the producers of the movie, they have no intention to disparage any gender, culture, or anything that is offensive especially to the LGBT community.”

Pakboys Takusa tells the story of 4 friends – Justine (Janno), John (Andrew E), Bruno (Dennis), and Drake (Jerald Napoles) – who cheat on their partners. Their womanizing ways put them in danger, with their wives rescuing them from the trouble they created.

The movie stars Angelu De Leon, Maui Taylor, Marissa Sanchez, Ana Roces, and Leo Martinez. The film, an official entry to the MMFF, is directed by Al Tantay. – Alexa Villano/Rappler.com