MANILA, Philippines??Pitik Bulag,? a film about a man?s sudden spate of good luck, has received an ?A? rating from the Cinema Evaluation Board for its ?tightly woven story? and ?excellent? direction by Gil Portes.

The movie, written by Eric Ramos and featuring Marco Alcaraz, Victor Neri and newcomer Paloma, opened in local theaters yesterday. An ?A? rating entitles it to a 100-percent tax rebate.

?The direction is excellent, very well in control of characters, actions and setting,? said acting chair Digna Santiago, quoting reviewers. CEB chair Christine Dayrit was abroad during the CEB screening.

?It?s a tightly woven story with social commentary and redemptive human values thrown in. It?s masterfully done,? said another CEB board member.

The CEB board also commended Paloma, Alcaraz and Neri for their performances.

?Pitik Bulag? revolves around Angelo (Alcaraz), a downtrodden movie stuntman who stumbles upon millions of pesos taken from a bank heist.

According to Portes, the film is loosely based on the RCBC bank robbery in Laguna in May 2008.

The movie?s cast will have a meet-and-greet session on July 4, 6 p.m., at Robinsons Galleria in Pasig City.