I Do Bidoo Bidoo: Heto nApo sila!

"I Do Bidoo Bidoo" (by writer-director Chris Martinez) does not deny that it was inspired by the success of "Mamma Mia". However, instead of ABBA songs, this local counterpart uses the similarly diverse discography of the APO Hiking Society, a collection of Filipino pop classics accumulated for more than 30 years since they started to record in the early 1970s.

This is a story about two families. The Polotan family is lower middle class, while the Fuentebella family is super rich. Rock Polotan (Sam Concepcion) falls in love with Tracy Fuentebella (Tippy dos Santos), leading to an unexpected teenage pregnancy. Rock's parents are Pol (Ogie Alcasid), a one-hit wonder songwriter who gives guitar lessons to kids in the neighborhood, and Rosie (Eugene Domingo), a caterer to funerals. Tracy's parents are Nick (Gary Valenciano), a career-centered businessman, and Elaine (Zsazsa Padilla), a lonely neglected housewife. The obviously radical class difference of course led to a very disastrous "pamamanhikan." This consequently led to all the characters rethinking about their own situations with their respective partners in love. Will love prevail in the end?

All the actors come up with very energetic performances. They all did their own singing of course, even Eugene Domingo (who was very brave here, in more ways than just her singing). Gary V. and Zsazsa were as coldly aristocratic as Ogie and Eugene were noisily "jologs." As the young lovers, Sam Concepcion and the ingénue Tippy dos Santos have a good chemistry in their scenes and duets together. Special mention go to scene-stealing supporting characters, namely Jimmy Fabregas as the war- freak ex-soldier Villafuerte grandfather and Neil Coleta as the Rock's conflicted best friend. Frenchie Dy and Sweet Plantado (of the Company) also turn in some pretty funny moments as Eugene's best friends.

This love story was told in the words of APO Hiking Society's biggest hit songs. As corny and cheesy as that idea sounds, it actually works and was a lot of fun! (**** I will be mentioning song titles after this, so if you want to be surprised as to which songs will be included, you may want to refer back to this review after you have seen the film.)

There were some scenes may remind you of other musical films. The "Awit ng Barkada" scene with Eugene, Frenchie and Sweet was straight out reminiscent of the "Chiquitita" number from "Mamma Mia." The choreography of the "Syotang Pa-Class" scene was adapted from the "Get'cha Head in the Game" basketball dance number from "High School Musical." That said though, I thought the use of these songs for those topics in the story was so smart and very appropriate.

You can sometimes predict what song is coming up because of the words and situation that lead into the song. We get the song "Panalangin" when the characters were praying in a chapel. The song "Ewan" came right after a character says that very word. "Salawikain" came when the characters were having a "salawikain" argument over lunch. But again, predictable does not mean that these were bad ideas. The execution of these scenes were very well done.

Of course, those beautiful APO love songs were really put to very good use. There were those in perfect position, like the emotionally bitter "Tuyo ng Damdamin," the devastatingly tragic "Nakapagtataka" and the romantically pleading "Paano." There were those in the most hilariously unexpected contexts, like "Mahirap Magmahal," "Kaibigan," and most especially the scandalously Rated-R naughty interpretation of "Di Na Natuto" (which I honestly did not know was an APO song first before Gary V. hit big with it).

The sensitive topic of teen pregnancy as well as some raunchy scenes and dialogs makes this film for strong parental guidance, and not for very young kids. I was hoping they could have avoided these touchy themes and made a truly general patronage film for the whole family to enjoy. Otherwise, this film is very entertaining indeed most especially for people who love APO Hiking Society music, and that should be a big chunk of the Filipino adult population out there who grew up in the 1970s to the 1990s. It was fun to see how these beloved songs were used in the story and it was also fun to actually sing along to those all-familiar lyrics. I think you will enjoy this movie as I did, corn and cheese included! Congratulations to director Chris Martinez for another winner!

I do Bidoo is indeed a surprise. Chris Martinez, the director, weaves the songs of APO and created a genius movie. The people who have seen it unanimously loved it, because the songs brought the nostalgia and the class back to Philippine cinema.

My personal favorite in the movie are Ewan, Nakapagtataka and the final song, Pagibig. They also paid attention to smaller stories like the love stories of the parents and Sam Concepcion's friend. I also love the homages to songs like Kabilugan ng Buwan ( during the last part) and Kumot and Unan ( during the phone conversation).

I have waited a long time for this movie, something to be proud of, a musical that doesn't end crappy, a comedy that makes you laugh and even drama that thugs the heart. This is a must see for all Filipinos.

I don't know how to start this but I just watched it. I didn't watch it in Cinemas because I never know this will be the kind of musical movie that I will expect but I regret it and also because we didn't have Musical Type Movie before but then This is a Success. If this movie will have PART 2. I will be the number one in the line..

Also, the first movie came out of my mind when I watched this movie is Mamma Mia. Next, Rock of Ages because of the part of Neil Coleta(Brent) If you will watch the movie. The part that the song "I Can't Fight This Feeling Anymore" but not the exactly just reminded me. He is just funny to be that. Lastly, "High School Musical" the basketball part "Put your head in the Game". Then I read a review from 3xHCCH. Yeah, I'm surprised that the director is really inspired from "Mamma Mia".

If you are a fan of many musical films you will know why. My Standard of the Filipino movies really gone high because of this movie. I never know it will end up like this.

The cast are very good. Each Cast has a highlight. Nobody is left behind. You will say that "If one is not around, the movie will not be good" I can't express myself very well but the thing I want to say. The whole cast is a PACKAGE. Character is just compatible to every cast. The "Awit ng Barkada" scene with Eugene, Frenchie and Sweet reminded me of the song "Chiquitita" number from "Mamma Mia". Eugene Domingo and Ogie Alcasid. I like them great comedian especially the part of "Di na natuto." Gary Valenciano and Zsa Zsa Padilla are really good artist/singer. I cannot explain much about the couples but I really love them very much. The "Salawikain" part is amusing also. It is like Hollywood musical film. It is cute cause everybody has given a part of the piece. As the lovers, Sam Concepcion and Tippy dos Santos have a good chemistry in their scenes. The duets always reminds me of "Rock of Ages" cause they're cute. "Panalangin" and "Ewan" of them (TWO THUMBS UP). Tippy dos Santos voice sounds like "Julianne Hough" of Rock of Ages but the Local Version. I never know her not because of this movie but I think I like her. Sam Concepcion is my idol cause my mother always say I look like him. Back to him, He is a good actor and singer and dancer. APO Hiking Society songs are great and the songs match with each scene. Some scene are predictable but surprise because it is new to me.

The movie is brilliant, amazing and superb. If you ask me If I will gonna watch that movie again. I will answer is "YES! YES! YES!" The movie caught my attention the whole time. If you want the fun and a little heart touching moments. I will recommend this.

The only not so good part here is the early pregnancy. The children might think it is good to have a child in early age and also the eloping part that others may not understand but nevermind this is a great musical movie. hahaha..

--Highly recommended film.

I just watched the movie in Netflix, not knowing that this kind of obra maestra existed since 2012. You would never have guessed that it would be this good, it was inspired by ABBA's Mamma Mia with a mix of Rock of Ages; but the design is very Filipino which will make you love the movie more. The music alone are nostalgic, the choreography and cinematography are very impressive. The actors fit their role perfectly!

This movie deserves more attention. It deserve recognition! This is a must watch especially for musical lovers.

You'll be more proud of OPM, Apo gave us great music indeed. Hoping that this generation would appreciate the art Mr. Chris Martinez has given us.