“Eugene Domingo
as Eugene Domingo outdid herself in the first Septic Tank film
at masasabi mong
mas flip, mas
outrageous at baliw
ang sitwasyon dito.”
“Everything seems perfect, especially the timing!” exclaims Ms. Eugene 
Domingo about her annual full-length feature for 2016, Ang Babae Sa Septic Tank 2, her words strong, personal and enlightening.
With Quantum Films’ latest movie one of the official entries in the 2016 Metro Manila Film Festival, Eugene can now duly claim she is like Hans Solo of the classic Star Wars sagas: She awakens.
With the 2011 film-within-a-film Ang Babae Sa Septic Tank, Eugene reprises the format as Romina in The Itinerary of its sequel. “The script of Chris Martinez and the direction of Marlon Martinez are brilliant,” snaps Eugene with unapologetic pride.
The gang of the most-anticipated sequel to the critically acclaimed and multi-awarded film, the country’s highest grossing indie movie to date and foreign language film submission to the Oscars, is back!
Kean Cipriano as Rainier and Cai Cortez as Jocelyn return with Khalil Ramos as Lennon, plus the participation of special guest artists Joel Torre, Jericho Rosales and Agot Isidro with Joyce Bernal and Iñigo Pascual in cameo roles. Eugene describes the team as “inspired and energized.”
Until 2013, the female dynamo Eugene filmed feature after feature as lead actress or in a support role, whether indie or mainstream film, as ingénue or genius, shooting as much as nine films in 2011 including Ang Babae Sa Septic Tank.
Then, in 2014, she abruptly slowed down. What happened?
It was, Eugene says, a conscious decision to be less productive in order to conserve creative energy. She opted to do one film per year. In 2014, it was Barber’s Tales and in 2015, Las Amigas. Her Saturday game show, Celebrity Bluff, had its final episode in February 2016 as was replaced by Dear Uge, which she also headlines. This year, she’s reactivating herself with Ang Babae Sa Septic Tank 2.
“I am rejuvenated, and it is time to do films!” explains Eugene. “I’d always say yes to Septic Tank. Why? Because it means doing the type of comedy I really like. Funny and thought-provoking,” identifying the two key words that made her slow down and... reboot.
“I, for one, am fresh. (Laughter.) The movie feels fresh as if in a spa. The movie will say something about love and how people want to feel love. That is totally not in original Septic Tank,” Eugene says.
Who will win between the two Cesars in Romina’s life? Or is there a third Cesar entering it? The only way to find out is to watch!
CRITICAL REVIEWS. About its choice of Ang Babae Sa Septic Tank 2 as official entry, the MMFF Selection Committee states: “With wit that sparkles in carefully crafted dialog and acting that shines way above the commonplace, this comedy tickles both the mind and the funny bone.
“Where the original film satirized the sensationalistic tendencies of the indie film and the dishonesty of film directors who make films for foreign festivals, this sequel launches a pointed but hilarious commentary on the pretensions and machinations that characterize the mainstream movie industry and its stars and superstars in our day.
“While this film maybe seen as reflecting on itself or a self-reflective film, it is nonetheless a film that will appeal as well to all moviegoing Filipinos who will profit from and enjoy seeing from the falsities and frivolities of the mainstream movies they have been watching for decades.”
Writer-producer-talent manager Noel Ferrer thinks: “Sobrang laughtrip ang Ang Babae Sa Septic Tank 2: Forever Is Not Enough.
“Eugene Domingo as Eugene Domingo outdid herself in the first Septic Tank film at masasabi mong mas flip, mas outrageous at baliw ang sitwasyon dito.
“She will do everything para matuloy ang movie in her mind kahit ano pang mangyari.
“Kahit magpalit-palit ng leading man — from Joel Torre to Jericho Rosales and to a younger one.
“Pati pakikialam sa casting at sa plot twist, may pagka-absurd na talaga.
“But trust Eugene Domingo to come up with a nuanced and cadenced intelligent performance na sobrang pigil na pigil pa sa pagka-LOL sa simula pero wait ‘till the ending.
“Unthinkable talaga ang twist of events.”
“Dito rin ipinakita ang bunga ng pag-i-Spanish lesson ni Uge na nagamit niya nang todo pati na ang bagong career niya sa pagkanta.
“Magagaling lahat ang mga characters dito pero dapat mapansin ang original cast members ding sina Kean Cipriano at si Cai Cortez.
“Basta, dito sa pelikulang ito, ganap nang inilunsad ang pagiging artista ni Binibining Joyce Bernal.”
Graded A by the Cinema Evaluation Board that entitles it to 100 percent rebate in amusement tax, it explains the Grade: “...Director Marlon Rivera in his workable team-up with Chris Martinez comes up with another crisp and engaging satire on the industry, highlighting the ongoing contretemps between indie and mainstream while raising the level of discourse to momentous comedy...
“The multi-layered film within a film was structurally creative if unavoidably self referencing, then again this is not your usual slapstick. And though the novelty from the first septic has worn off a bit, there’s still the tour de force performance of the lead Domingo, who takes over the film...
“A nice take established early on is that the Cai Cortez character now has dialog, while the new PA aka Lennon keeps his mouth verily shut to good comic effect. And though the ensemble deliver a fine performance, it is Domingo who takes over in a manner that is a notch or two better than Kimi Dora.”
Producer Joji Alonso thinks: “Eugene Domingo is Eugene Domingo. She can easily shift from comedy to drama and then back to comedy. She is so versatile. Her comeback is most awaited. She is superb in this film. I am happy to work with her again. Hindi halatang may mabaho sa pelikula!”
As the only franchise film in this year’s MMFF, Lead thinks Ang Babae Sa Septic Tank 2: Forever Is Not Enough stands to benefit critically and commercially.
And Eugene may win her first Best Actress trophy yet from MMFF.