Title of Alex Gonzaga’s new film allegedly taken from a spoken word poem

Gonzaga’s new film is written and directed by Fifth Solomon, a former “Pinoy Big Brother” housemate, and produced by Wilbros Films. (Screenshot from Wilbros Films video posted on Instagram)

Following the release of Alex Gonzaga’s new film “Nakalimutan Ko Nang Kalimutan Ka” on Saturday, spoken word artist Allen Tolosa expressed his utter disappointment in the movie which has the same title with his spoken poetry.

In a lengthy Facebook post on June 30, Saturday, Tolosa said, “I don’t know what should I feel about this. But right now I’m so disappointed how it turned out. ”

Gonzaga’s new film is written and directed by Fifth Solomon, a former “Pinoy Big Brother” housemate, and produced by Wilbros Films.

According to Tolosa, it was in 2017 when Solomon contacted him and requested if he can use the writer’s spoken poetry entitled “Nakalimutan Ko Nang Kalimutan Ka” for his movie. Tolosa’s poem was first used in a three-minute film produced by The Original Story on January 19 last year.

“I agreed and there was a point when he (Fifth) promised that he would set up a meeting which was cancelled twice and never pushed through,” the writer said.

“He also said that his EP [Executive Producer] would contact me about the TF [talent fee] (which I really dont care) which is the same rate they’re going to pay for Let Me Be The One,” he added.

Tolosa further said the director would also give him credit and even invite him to the showing of the film.

While he was hoping and waiting for Solomon to message him again, Tolosa had no idea that none of their previous plans will happen.

Last Thursday, the writer said Solomon reached out him not to finalize everything, but to inform him that the director will no longer use his piece as they already wrote a different one.

“Now I understand that they don’t like it anymore so I thought theyre [sic] not going to use it. AND THEY DID. AND IT WAS THE TITLE OF THE FILM,” Tolosa stressed.

Tolosa said he was not talking about intellectual property law as he was not knowledgeable about it, but what he was trying to point out in his statement is about giving “respect to creative minds.”

“Filipinos are creative. We can compose artistic literaries that are funny, striking, strong, inspiring, and so much more. But they should be given weight, credit and even promoted. But this is what happens if a creative idea is not given that much weight and respect, people would just dismiss you that easily,” he noted.

“What I am pointing out right now is how I felt as a creative writer and this is what I am fighting for. I hope that people would PAY MORE RESPECT to creative minds out there, (because creating these ideas are not easy, and it doesnt [sic] come often) so that they would be encouraged and strengthened to do more,” he continued.

As of writing, Solomon has not yet issued a statement regarding the issue.