The first reason for the lukewarm reception is that the terrain has been overly covered by ABS-CBN’s recent free shows that was meant to promote the network. In those shows, the network unleashed its entire star power — flying into the West Coast everyone from Pokwang to Judy Ann Santos — to seduce West Coasters into subscribing to The Filipino Channel (TFC). The so-called Kapamilya network succeeded, but it also unwittingly wrecked havoc in the area’s lively and profitable concert scene. If the expats can watch the Pinoy idols for free what’s the need to pay one’s way at least $50 for a concert?

The “Star In A Million” reunion show came close on the heels of the ABS-CBN free show it fell victim to the Kapamilya promo shows.

Another reason for the flop shows is that Christian sort of broke away from the group and gave pocket concerts in small venues prior to the big shows, hence audiences were considerably halved and/or splintered.

Parrying accusations of greed, Christian and his manager (dubbed by wags as “ang manegerang hindi tumatawa” for famously refusing to show his pearly whites) deny he undermined his own shows.

According to Christian, he did his own mini shows alright, but these were in far off venues in Oxnard and Carson, many miles away from L.A., hence they couldn’t have made a considerable box office dent on his main shows.

Despite big strides made in global filmfests, R.P. cinema still in doldrums

How is it possible that Philippine cinema is making significant strides abroad but still remain mired in dormancy, if not hopelessness, in home grounds?

The digital film “Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros” again won best picture in the recent ImagineNATIVE Media Arts Festival in Canada. Last month, the film made at a budget of P1 million (roughly $18,000) by Auraeus Solito, was also the best picture choice of an international panel at the 27th Montreal World Film Festival.

The film impressed judges for its “impressive quasi-documentary style in its spirit of humanity and tolerance.”

A fortnight ago another Philippine film made a big impression at the Los Angeles Screamfest International Horror Film Festival. Regal Entertainment’s “Sigaw” (retitled “Echo” for Western audiences) won best score for Jesse Lucas, whose earlier music in “Babae sa Breakwater” also gained notice at last year’s Cannes Film Festival.

Yam Daramas, the film’s director, was promptly signed up by a big Hollywood talent agency and, according to latest reports, his “Sigaw” is be remade in Hollywood by First Line Cinema with Yam himself possibly directing.

Another digital film, “Masahista,” ran away with the Golden Leopard award (video category) at the 58th Locarno International Film Festival in Switzerland last August.

The film is headed next to eight film festivals around the world, one as far off as Slovenia.

Does this all mean that Filipinos are less appreciative of their own cinema (as evidenced by the dearth of audiences in local films) unlike the rest of the film lovers of the world? Tsk, tsk, tsk.