After The Hit 'Kita Kita', The New Pogi Comedian Empoy Marquez Is Back In A Hilarious Action-Comedy, 'The Barker', Directed By Another Comedian, Dennis Padilla

COMEDIAN EMPOY MARQUEZ is back! He now has a follow up movie after his sleeper hit romance with Alessandra de Rossi, “Kita Kita”. This time, he’s doing his new project with Viva Films, “The Barker”, an action comedy, and he’s paired with one of their most promising stars, Shy Carlos, who was last seen in two recent films, “Pagsanib kay Leah de la Cruz” and “Fangirl/ Fanboy”. This is the first directorial job of another comedian, Dennis Padilla and will open in theaters nationwide on October 25.

So how is it working with Shy? “Hindi naman namin first time kasi we’ve worked before in some shows sa TV5 noon kaya kilala na namin ang isa’t isa,” says Empoy. “Ang pagkakaiba nga lang, leading lady ko na siya ngayon at ang suwerte ko dahil ang dami naming kissing scenes.”

He’s really luckier now because he was not fortunate enough to have kissing scenes with Alessandra before. How did Shy feel about their kissing scenes? “Nagulat ako noong umpisa nang sabihin nilang may kissing scenes kami. Pero okay lang naman kasi si Empoy now is considered the New Pogi at Blockbuster King na rin siya after kumita ng more than P300 million yung recent movie niya. So it’s an honor na ako naman ang maging kapareha niya. Tuwang-tuwa nga siya sa dami ng kissing scenes namin. Kilig na kilig siya. Ako naman, iniisip ko na lang na si Piolo Pascual ang kahalikan ko. In fairness to Empoy, kahit sumikat na siya dahil sa blockbuster niyang movie, hindi siya nagbago, very humble pa rin.”

In “The Barker”, Empoy plays Koko, a barker for jeepneys. He falls in love with Shy as Bela but her domineering father takes her away from him. Shy is then kidnapped and Empoy tries his best to rescue her as her knight in shining armour. “Ako mismo ang gumawa ng action scenes ko rito,” says Empoy. “Nakipagbarilan ako, nakipag-upakan ako sa mga goons.”

Supporting Empoy and Shy are Jeric Raval, Wilma Doesnt, Ronnie Lazaro, Janice Jurado, Sylvia Sanchez and Nonie Buencamino. As his director, Dennis has nothing but praises for his lead actor. “Napakagaan katrabaho ni Empoy at lahat ng cast namin,” he says. “Nag-enjoy kaming lahat making this movie that will give the viewers nothing but pure fun and entertainment from start to finish.”

So Empoy’s journey continues. From being a comedian on TV to a romantic leading man in “Kita Kita”, he is now an action star in “The Barker”. Here’s wishing him that “The Barker” will be as successful at the box office as his previous one so people won’t say that he is just a one hit wonder or a flash in the pan.