On its opening day, Agila ng Maynila grossed ₱2.570 million, ahead of other MMFF films.[4][5] By January, the film would retain its standing as the highest-grossing film among the six entries of the 14th MMFF.[6][7] Poe's enduring popularity among the Filipino people is cited as the main reason for the film's success.[4][8]
Critical response
Lav Diaz, writing for the Manila Standard, grouped Agila ng Maynila with Celestina Sanchez, Alyas Bubbles – Enforcer: Ativan Gang and Patrolman as films which directly placed the "dark face of the police establishment" on public trial. Though Diaz did not give an assessment of the film's quality, he described it as possessing a positive outlook, with the main character having the perspective that society needs only a hero to fix its problems and the police.[9]
Home media
Agila ng Maynila was released on DVD by Viva Video in 2006.[10] The next year, Viva Video would pair the film for its "Da King" collector's edition DVD with Ang Anino ni Asedillo, a film starring Poe's half-brother Conrad Poe and featuring an appearance by Poe himself.[11]
^Magsanoc, Letty (December 28, 1988). "Austria, Marro win top honors in Metro filmfest". Philippine Daily Inquirer. p. 8.
^Mendoza, Meg (January 8, 1989). "Brokenhearted hosts". Manila Standard. Manila Standard News, Inc. p. 14. Retrieved August 18, 2020. From what we heard, the ranking of the filmfest moneymakers are as follows: Agila ng Maynila, Pik Pak Boom...
^Diaz, Lav (January 4, 1989). "Propaganda ng pulis". Manila Standard (in Filipino). Manila Standard News, Inc. p. 15. Retrieved August 18, 2020. Tatlo (Bubbles, Agila ng Maynila at Patrolman), sa anim na kalahok, ang lantarang tumuligsa sa madilim na mukha ng establesementong pulisya.