Gaya ng kaniyang co-actor na si Jasmine Curtis-Smith, nalungkot din si Tom Rodriguez sa napabalitaang pagtanggi ng ilang sinehan na i-block screen ang pelikula nilang "Maledicto."

"Nakakalungkot of course. Let's admit, we're not in par with Hollywood when it comes to our productions, not because of talent but because of the restrictions that we have in our country. We don't have the type of budget and time that they have. We accept that and we have no qualms about it," pahayag ni Tom sa GMA Network nitong Huwebes.

 

 


"'Yung problema lang is that hindi sinusuportahan ng movie houses and businesses as well. Which I understand 'cause it's their business. Pero ano ba naman sana 'yung isang theater house lang just to give an option, even send a donation na lang to just boost the Philippine cinema?" pagpapatuloy niya.

Hinikayat ni Tom na sana ay hindi lang ang pelikula nila ang suportahan, kundi pati ang iba pang Pinoy films.

Ipinalabas ang "Maledicto" nitong Mayo 1, ilang araw matapos ipalabas sa bansa ang "Avengers: Endgame" nitong Abril 24.

"Because granted, 'Avengers' is a phenomenal franchise, and it will sell, it's an event, even I was really excited and waited for it and thoroughly loved it. But as well, kahit isang theater man lang na hatiin, not just for our movie but for all the other Filipino movies then that we're just trying to gain traction," saad ng aktor.

Ayon kay Tom, hindi gaanong magtatagumpay ang Philippine cinema kung hindi ito susuportahan o tatangkilikin, lalo pa't marami nang pagpipilian ang mga manonood dahil sa internet at digital media.

"So granted that a lot of the Filipino standards have evolved and have changed and improved, and we're trying to catch up, we're trying to get there, we want to, and we need their help," aniya.

Sa kabila ng nangyari, nakakuha naman ng magagandang feedback ang "Maledicto" dahil sa pagpresenta nito sa reyalidad ng pagkakaiba-iba ng pananaw ng mga theologian pagdating sa demonyo.

"I'm glad they enjoyed," saad ni Tom.

Ginampanan ni Tom si Father Xavi, isang dating psychologist, samantalang si Jasmine ay si Sister Barbie, at pareho nilang sinuri ang kaso ni Agnes (Miles Ocampo) na tila may "demonic behavior."

"Buti na lang our writers and our directors did extensive research and I got to get a lot of insight from them 'cause they [interviewed] a lot of exorcists and representatives of the Church as well. So at least I had that resource lagi on the set," saad ni Tom.-- FRJ, GMA News