The Buy Bust Queen, or simply Buybust Queen, is a 2022 Philippine action film about the women leading the operations of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA). Directed by JR Olinares from a screenplay by Lawrence Nicodemus, it stars Phoebe Walker as the titular character along with PDEA Director Gen. Wilkins Villanueva as himself. The film was produced by Pinoyflix Films in cooperation with PDEA to be an "advocacy film" that portrays the agency in a positive light during the Philippine drug war,[1] with its premiere held on March 23, 2022, in Valenzuela City, Metro Manila.[2] The film was given a nationwide release on February 28, 2024.

The Buy Bust Queen
Theatrical release poster
Directed byJR Olinares
Written byLawrence Nicodemus
Starring
Cinematography
  • Jimboy Signo
  • Rico Jacinto
Edited byCre8team Multimedia
Music byJake Abella
Production
companies
Distributed byPinoyflix Films
Release dates
  • March 23, 2022 (2022-03-23) (One Mall)
  • June 16, 2022 (2022-06-16) (Pagadian)[1]
  • February 28, 2024 (2024-02-28)
Running time
90 minutes
CountryPhilippines
Languages
  • English
  • Filipino

Plot

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This tale centers on seven exceptional women who defy gender norms, showcasing their unwavering dedication and resilience in joining an institution traditionally dominated by men. Their commitment stems from a lifetime of virtues, forming an unshakable foundation that cannot be easily replicated.

Cast

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  • Phoebe Walker as Gianne Regalado[3][4]
  • Dir. Gen. Wilkins Villanueva as himself
  • Ritz Azul as Angela Bustamante[4]
  • Maxine Medina as Thalia Estevez[3][4]
  • Elaine Ochoa as Michelle Dalangin[4]
  • Ayeesha Cervantes as Sofia Montano[4]
  • Cheng Alessa as Louise Castillo[4]
    • Angelu Malvar as young Louise[4]
  • Ameera Johara as Laiza Cuyugan[4]
  • Ervic Vijandre as Aldrin Dimaano[4]
  • Alex Medina as Ivan dela Rosa[4]
  • Jeric Raval as Enrico Salvador[4]
  • Jeffrey Santos as Carlo Cabahug[4]
  • Ricardo Cepeda as Marcelo Jacinto[4]
  • Gil Caesar Castro as himself[4]
  • Ahlcyrus de Leon as Joseph Anthony Madrigal[4]
  • Christian Vasquez as Fernando Baltazar[4]
  • Dindo Arroyo as Goh Tong Lee[4]
  • Ping Medina as Zandro Lopez[4]
  • Danj So Bless as Edward Jones[4]
  • Peter Georgo as Jorge Escobar[4]

Production

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Filming

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In October 2021, the cast started to lock-in taping in Kalinga-Apayao and shoot some of the scene around Antipolo and Quezon City.[5]

Release

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The Buy Bust Queen held its press conference and premiere on March 23, 2022, at the One Sky Theater within One Mall in Valenzuela City, Metro Manila.[6][7]

Reception

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Goldwin Reviews gave the film a negative one out of five stars and wrote: "The story is so overdone. The Buy Bust Queen title is not suitable because this is a Joker."[8]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c "Pinoyflix brings PDEA advocacy film to Pagadian". The Manila Times. The Manila Times Publishing Company, Inc. June 18, 2022. Archived from the original on June 22, 2022. Retrieved August 19, 2023.
  2. ^ Villahermosa, Bingo (June 17, 2022). "Pagadian: Buy Bust Queen is in Pagadian City". Radio Philippines Network. Retrieved March 15, 2024.
  3. ^ a b PINOYFLIX (December 24, 2021). The 'BUY-BUST QUEEN" Main Casts I Coming Soon in Theaters Nationwide. YouTube (in Filipino and English). Google LLC.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t PINOYFLIX (December 16, 2022). Jeric Raval Christian Vasquez and Phoebe Walker Ending Scene. YouTube (in Filipino and English). Google LLC.
  5. ^ PEP Troika (October 23, 2021). "Ervic Vijandre, gaganap bilang PDEA agent sa bagong pelikula". PEP.ph. Retrieved March 15, 2024.
  6. ^ Llanera, Melba R. (March 24, 2022). "Phoebe Walker still in shock over Kit Thompson's alleged battery of Ana Jalandoni". PEP.ph (in Filipino and English). Philippine Entertainment Portal Inc. Retrieved August 19, 2023.
  7. ^ Viva Artists Agency (March 23, 2022). "HAPPENING NOW: PDEA's Buybust Queen Advocacy Film Special Movie Premiere & Mediacon". Facebook. Meta Platforms, Inc. Retrieved August 19, 2023.
  8. ^ Reviews, Goldwin (29 February 2024). "THE BUY BUST QUEEN (2024) review". Goldwin Reviews. Retrieved March 15, 2024.
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