He could lay claim to being the best when it comes to boxing but it's a different story for Manny ‘Pacman’ Pacquiao with politics or movies.

The boxer’s superhero flick “Wapakman,” an official entry to this year’s Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), is currently taking a beating at the tills, earning only P1.4 M for the first three days of its national theater run [Dec. 25-27].

This year’s top earner is “Ang Panday,” a fantasy-action epic top-billed by actor-politician Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., which earned P20 M nationwide.

Second is the long-running, all-star cast horror trilogy franchise “Shake, Rattle and Roll” with P19.8 M.

In third is the Vic Sotto horror-comedy “Ang Darling Kong Aswang” with P18.5 million.

Rounding up the list are: Star Cinema's "I Love You Goodbye" at No. 4 with P17.9 M; RVQ Productions and Kaizz Ventures' "Nobody Nobody But Juan" at No. 5 with P10.2 M; and Regal Entertainment's "Mano Po 6: A Mother's Love" at No. 6 with P10.1 M.

According to Ric Camaligan, president of the National Cinemas Association of the Philippines, the success of “Ang Panday,” the original story of which was penned by controversial National Artist Carlo J. Caparas, proves that local audiences still “love fantasy flicks.”

“They still go for the familiar, the tried and tested,” he said.

However, Camaligan is hesitant to predict final sales outcome.

“It could still change as the festival continues,” he quipped.

The controversy involving Pacquiao and “Wapakman” co-star Krista Ranillo didn’t help matters any, apparently.
 
The boxer himself admitted in an earlier interview that he was among those hoping that the rumors would, at the very least, help propel the success of “Wapakman” at the box-office.

“What’s the use of the intrigues if our movie doesn’t make money?” he said in Filipino.

Then again, he could have recalled that the rumored affair between him and “Anak Ng Kumander” co-star Ara Mina didn’t generate enough attention for that film as well.

“Anak ng Kumander” was the worst loser during that year earning only a measly P2 M.