JANNO Gibbs’ directorial debut, ‘Itutumba Ka ng Tatay Ko,’ is fitting as his last film tribute to his dad, Ronaldo Valdez, who passed on last December.

In the comedy flick, where Ronaldo was relegated mostly to the final scenes, Janno highlighted the participation of his dad who provided strong support to his Teteng character. He was applauded in his scenes.

In fact, in the fight scene where his dad helped him battle with the thugs who kidnapped Tintin, Janno shouted to one, “Hindi, itutumba ka ng Tatay ko,” that referred to his dad in the film.

The film had a red carpet premiere Monday night at SM Megamall Cinema 2. Not only fans trooped to the cinema, but a lot of celebrities showed up to support Janno’s directorial debut.

Senator Robin Padilla led the celebrity guests who lent support to Janno for his directorial debut.

Former Quezon City mayor Herbert Bautista also trooped to SM Megamall with comedian Dennis Padilla and rapper Andrew E.

Friends of Janno and his wife Bing Loyzaga, Gelli de Belen and Candy Pangilinan also showed up.

Of course, Janno’s better half, Bing Loyzaga, was beside him throughout the screening.

In the theater was Janno’s lawyer, Lorna ni Kapunan, who admittedly enjoyed the comedy flick. “Fantastic,” blurted Atty. Kapunan after the premiere.

Janno arrived in the cinema with Xia Vigor, his teenage daughter in the film that marked Xia’s comeback after 2019’s Miracle in Cell No. 7.

The supporting cast of ‘Itutumba Ka ng Tatay Ko’ like Jeric Raval also showed up.

Also cast in the comedy flick are Anjo Yllana, Janno’s leading lady, Louise de los Reyes and Juliana Parizcova-Segovia.

It was not Janno who received the loudest applause in the film but his dad, Ronaldo, for his special participation.

The film also paid “homage” to action king Fernando Poe, Jr. and comedy king Dolphy. From the start of Itutumba Ka ng Tatay Ko, FPJ’s film posters of Hindi Ka Na Sisikatan ng Araw and Mabuting Kaibigan, Masamang Kaaway were posted on Teteng’s wall.

‘Itutumba Ka ng Tatay Ko’ starts its regular theater run on January 24.