Alega Gang: Public Enemy No.1 of Cebu

Alega Gang: Public Enemy No.1 of Cebu is a 1988 action crime film co-edited and directed by Pepe Marcos and written by Jose N. Carreon. It stars Ramon 'Bong' Revilla Jr. in the lead role, alongside Robin Padilla, Princess Punzalan, Beverly Vergel, Perla Bautista, Paquito Diaz, Zandro Zamora, Bomber Moran, and Baldo Marro. Set in Cebu, it tells an account of the life of Ulysses "Boboy" Alega (Revilla), and his descent into crime. Originally released on June 23, 1988, it was re-released on April 2, 1994, with Padilla receiving equal billing with Revilla.[1]

Alega Gang:
Public Enemy No.1 of Cebu
Directed byPepe Marcos
Written byJose N. Carreon
StarringRamon 'Bong' Revilla Jr.
CinematographyRey de Leon
Edited by
  • Pepe Marcos
  • Bass Santos
Music byNonoy Tan
Production
company
RNB Films
Distributed by
  • RNB Films (original)
  • Moviestars Production (re-release)
Release dates
    • June 23, 1988 (1988-06-23)
    (original)
    • April 2, 1994 (1994-04-02)
    (re-release)
CountryPhilippines
LanguageFilipino

Critic Lav Diaz gave a positive review of the film, commending its clear characterization of the main character in comparison to other films involving outlaws.

Plot

In 1985, jeepney driver Ulysses "Boboy" Alega loses his vehicle just as he needed money to pay his rent and buy medications for his child.[1] After he accidentally shoots and kills a person during a fight, Boboy is then imprisoned and tortured by the police.[1] With his release from prison, Boboy eventually joins a group involved in arms smuggling, and after some time its members come to consider him as their leader.[1]

Cast

Release

Alega Gang was released in the Philippines on June 23, 1988.[1] On April 2, 1994, the film was re-released by Moviestars Production, with Padilla receiving equal billing with Revilla.[2]

Box office

The film was box office hit in the Philippines,[3] especially in Cebu City, where according to the Philippine Daily Inquirer, there was an alleged incident of people breaking a box office window while demanding tickets.[4][5]

Critical response

Lav Diaz, writing for Manila Standard, gave a favorable review of Alega Gang, commending its clear illustration of the main character as a victim of society, unlike many other films featuring "police characters".[1] Though he commented that Ulysses' final dying shout was "corny", he concluded that the film is a good addition to the list of intense Filipino action films.[1]

References
  1. Diaz, Lav (July 2, 1988). "Ayos lang" [It's fine]. Manila Standard (in Filipino). Standard Publications, Inc. p. 14. Retrieved July 11, 2020. Malupit ang kamatayan ni Boboy pero ito'y pinakorni ng sigaw na yun
  2. "Opens April 02!". Manila Standard. Kamahalan Publishing Corp. March 27, 1994. p. 18. Retrieved July 18, 2021. a MOVIESTARS presentation of an RNB Films production
  3. V., Nena (July 1, 1988). "Viva tries to recover lost ground". Manila Standard. Standard Publications, Inc. p. 14. Retrieved August 8, 2020.
  4. "Bong stars in 'Manong Gang'". Philippine Daily Inquirer. September 24, 1991. p. 27.
  5. Sidel, John Thayer (January 1995). "Coercion, capital, and the post-colonial state: Bossism in the postwar Philippines" (PDF). Cornell University: 169. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
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