Produced by Regal Films, it was released on January 4, 1989, and was a box office hit, earning ₱24 million in Metro Manila alone. It became the highest-grossing comedy film in the region at the time, surpassing Batang Quiapo (1986). Critic Lav Diaz gave the film a mixed review, recognizing de Leon and Requiestas as a good comedic duo and commending the film's depiction of the environment's unjust treatment, though he expressed concern about the potentially lowering standards of audiences for films.
The success of Starzan effectively launched a franchise. This includes two sequels, Starzan 2: The Coming of Star Son (1989) and Starzan III: The Jungle Triangle (1990), a spin-off film, Cheeta-eh, Ganda Lalake? (1991), a television series,[2] and an album.
The film's theme song was included in the compilation album Starzan, Cheeta-eh! At Iba Pa Ganda Tugtog (lit.'"Starzan, Cheeta-eh! And Other Wonderful Tunes"').[4][5][better source needed]
The film was a box office success, earning ₱24 million in Metro Manila alone.[8] Thus, the film became the highest-grossing comedy film in the region at the time, surpassing Pablo Santiago's Batang Quiapo from three years prior.[8] Executive producer Lily Monteverde gave Joey de Leona₱1 million bonus as a result of the film's success.[9]
Lav Diaz, writing for the Manila Standard, gave Starzan a mixed review, stating that though de Leon and Requiestas are a good comedic combination, they need better, "fragrant material". Diaz gave his concern that audiences might only settle for enjoying "kabantutan" (transl. "stench-ity") or lowbrow fare such as the film, citing its inclusion of the yell "Cheetaeh!", the last two syllables of which meaning "poop". However, he commended Starzan's clear depiction of society's disrespectful treatment of the environment, and suggested that the film could be used by the Haribon Foundation in their advocacy.[3]
^ abDiaz, Lav (January 15, 1989). "Bayang mabaho – sa isip, sa salita at sa gawa" [Foul-smelling nation – in thought, in words, and in action]. Manila Standard (in Filipino). Manila Standard News, Inc. p. 16. Retrieved August 12, 2020. Magandang kumbinasyon sina De Leon at Requiestas. Mabangong materyal lang ang kailangan.
