Bahay Bata
The debate about reproductive health is raging across the Philippines. On one side, proponents of a Reproductive Health Bill that gives more choices to women on the family that they should eventually raise. On the other hand, moral pundits and opponents of the bill view it as something that will degrade the nation's moral fiber. At times I see large posters emblazoned across the facades of churches proudly proclaiming their opposition, choosing 'life.'
I am a doctor by profession, and I have worked in government hospitals much like the one featured in Bahay Bata. Fabella Hospital is one of the largest, if not the largest maternity hospital in the Philippines. But do not think that because it is the largest such hospital in the country means that it is an exception to the rule; on the contrary,you can see this sight all over the Philippines: hospitals cramped with expecting mothers, often squeezed four or more into a bed, incubators filled with premature infants, long queues and an understaffed facility being drained by the temptation of opportunities elsewhere.
The movie weaves in between several plot elements focusing on a different character each time. There is no single main plot thread in the movie, instead it explores several threads at once to form a general picture. I found it quite surprising that several moviegoers were surprised at the stories being presented by the movie. Speaking from experience, most of it is based on truth: the mother giving birth to her thirteenth child, refusing birth control, the young teenage mothers who have a proclivity to sex and immature relationships at such an early age, the babies abandoned by mothers who choose to let their children live a better life elsewhere instead of one in abject poverty. There is little dramatization going on here. You can see it in any government hospital at any given day. The mothers and their children become numbers - the hospital, a veritable factory of 'life.'
There is no bias in this film - it is merely a picture of what really is. It does not try to make a statement other than the truth. We are an immature society, ill-equipped to face these problems. Personally, life is a wonderful thing, but living beyond your bounds is an irrational, illogical idea. It's idiotic to the core and fueled only by ignorance.
Technically the film is sound. A few plot threads are left hanging in the end, however, but I have a feeling that the film only aims to give us a small slice of life. Whatever happens to the characters afterwards the film leaves to your imagination.
Do yourself a favor and watch this film. Know that the facts presented here are true, and think long and hard to yourself the next time you see one of these debates on TV or in the papers. Know, because knowledge is power. I guess that's one of the aims of social realism as well. heh. 8 babies over 10.
Gayuma (NETPAC Premiere)
An interesting film comes in the way of Alvin Yapan's Gayuma. He was also the guy who directed Ang Sayaw ng Dalawang Kaliwang Paa, which I particularly liked. Having attended the premiere, it was my good luck to hear the director's thoughts on the film. It is wildly different from his Cinemalaya entry, and at the same time, it is one of his most 'personal' films. Created with just a staff of ten people and filmed over a few days, Gayuma is a story of a young man adopted by a church. He is in love with a local woman (portrayed by Mercedes Cabral) who just happens to be engaged to some other man. While taking part in an exorcism of a Sto. Nino, the statue, or rather, the spirit inhabiting the statue gives him a chance to act on his dilemma: create a powerful gayuma, or love potion, that will make the woman love him.
The film mixes several concepts of mysticism and magic realism that permeates Philippine folklore, one that has elements of Christianity and old pagan beliefs. There are some special effects, which are cheap but quite well done. (I have no idea how they did some of the effects, which I guess is a definite plus.)
The film takes place in Bicol, the director's home province, and most of the dialogue in the Bicolano dialect. Even the credits are in Bicolano, which I thought was a nice touch.
With such a limited crew, the soundtrack comes as one of the film's main strengths. As in his other film, this movie features a very wonderful song entitled Pagsamba (Worship) that figures in the film's emotional climax. It brings together all of the elements of the film wonderfully.
Visually the film is a treat (if you know what I mean lol), although a major problem is the camera shaking especially during the last third of the film, even during shots that are apparently supposed to be still. Sometimes it shakes too much to the point that it caused headaches for some members of the audience.
Despite the technical limitations of the film, it's quite decent and a good watch. I give it 7 dancing statues over 10.
Closing Film - Zombadings 1: Patayin sa Shokot si Remington
It was with distinct pleasure that I saw this film, probably screened publicly for the first time, as the closing film of this year's film festival. (It was a double bill with Rakenrol, but I didn't get to see that one, unfortunately.)
And what can I say? This film has ray guns, gay zombies, macho dancing ghosts and what have you. Writing something about this film would be as cumbersome as writing something about Vampire Girl vs. Frankenstein Girl or something. (Tee Hee.) Seriously, the film's title says it all. If this film was titled as such and it was actually about the life and times of four public accountants in 1960's Manila, I would have thrown a fit in the cinema and stalked off.
I'd want to write something about culture or how gays are integrated into Philippine society or something like that, but I'll leave it to some arty farty film critic to talk about it. Yeah. Suck on that.
Yes! Culture!
The production crew of this film were in a sense 'graduates' of this film festival. I'm glad to note that after the festival is over, hard working members of the film industry continue to make classy, original works like this. Hopefully some of that rubs off on the mainstream (not that mainstream Philippine movies are bad, mind you. Some are actually good or at least decent.)
Seriously guys, when it comes out, just watch it. It's hilarious and I hope it gets a commercial release. 9 gay zombies out of 10.
CULTURE!!!
The debate about reproductive health is raging across the Philippines. On one side, proponents of a Reproductive Health Bill that gives more choices to women on the family that they should eventually raise. On the other hand, moral pundits and opponents of the bill view it as something that will degrade the nation's moral fiber. At times I see large posters emblazoned across the facades of churches proudly proclaiming their opposition, choosing 'life.'
I am a doctor by profession, and I have worked in government hospitals much like the one featured in Bahay Bata. Fabella Hospital is one of the largest, if not the largest maternity hospital in the Philippines. But do not think that because it is the largest such hospital in the country means that it is an exception to the rule; on the contrary,you can see this sight all over the Philippines: hospitals cramped with expecting mothers, often squeezed four or more into a bed, incubators filled with premature infants, long queues and an understaffed facility being drained by the temptation of opportunities elsewhere.
The movie weaves in between several plot elements focusing on a different character each time. There is no single main plot thread in the movie, instead it explores several threads at once to form a general picture. I found it quite surprising that several moviegoers were surprised at the stories being presented by the movie. Speaking from experience, most of it is based on truth: the mother giving birth to her thirteenth child, refusing birth control, the young teenage mothers who have a proclivity to sex and immature relationships at such an early age, the babies abandoned by mothers who choose to let their children live a better life elsewhere instead of one in abject poverty. There is little dramatization going on here. You can see it in any government hospital at any given day. The mothers and their children become numbers - the hospital, a veritable factory of 'life.'
There is no bias in this film - it is merely a picture of what really is. It does not try to make a statement other than the truth. We are an immature society, ill-equipped to face these problems. Personally, life is a wonderful thing, but living beyond your bounds is an irrational, illogical idea. It's idiotic to the core and fueled only by ignorance.
Technically the film is sound. A few plot threads are left hanging in the end, however, but I have a feeling that the film only aims to give us a small slice of life. Whatever happens to the characters afterwards the film leaves to your imagination.
Do yourself a favor and watch this film. Know that the facts presented here are true, and think long and hard to yourself the next time you see one of these debates on TV or in the papers. Know, because knowledge is power. I guess that's one of the aims of social realism as well. heh. 8 babies over 10.
Gayuma (NETPAC Premiere)
An interesting film comes in the way of Alvin Yapan's Gayuma. He was also the guy who directed Ang Sayaw ng Dalawang Kaliwang Paa, which I particularly liked. Having attended the premiere, it was my good luck to hear the director's thoughts on the film. It is wildly different from his Cinemalaya entry, and at the same time, it is one of his most 'personal' films. Created with just a staff of ten people and filmed over a few days, Gayuma is a story of a young man adopted by a church. He is in love with a local woman (portrayed by Mercedes Cabral) who just happens to be engaged to some other man. While taking part in an exorcism of a Sto. Nino, the statue, or rather, the spirit inhabiting the statue gives him a chance to act on his dilemma: create a powerful gayuma, or love potion, that will make the woman love him.
The film mixes several concepts of mysticism and magic realism that permeates Philippine folklore, one that has elements of Christianity and old pagan beliefs. There are some special effects, which are cheap but quite well done. (I have no idea how they did some of the effects, which I guess is a definite plus.)
The film takes place in Bicol, the director's home province, and most of the dialogue in the Bicolano dialect. Even the credits are in Bicolano, which I thought was a nice touch.
With such a limited crew, the soundtrack comes as one of the film's main strengths. As in his other film, this movie features a very wonderful song entitled Pagsamba (Worship) that figures in the film's emotional climax. It brings together all of the elements of the film wonderfully.
Visually the film is a treat (if you know what I mean lol), although a major problem is the camera shaking especially during the last third of the film, even during shots that are apparently supposed to be still. Sometimes it shakes too much to the point that it caused headaches for some members of the audience.
Despite the technical limitations of the film, it's quite decent and a good watch. I give it 7 dancing statues over 10.
Closing Film - Zombadings 1: Patayin sa Shokot si Remington
It was with distinct pleasure that I saw this film, probably screened publicly for the first time, as the closing film of this year's film festival. (It was a double bill with Rakenrol, but I didn't get to see that one, unfortunately.)
And what can I say? This film has ray guns, gay zombies, macho dancing ghosts and what have you. Writing something about this film would be as cumbersome as writing something about Vampire Girl vs. Frankenstein Girl or something. (Tee Hee.) Seriously, the film's title says it all. If this film was titled as such and it was actually about the life and times of four public accountants in 1960's Manila, I would have thrown a fit in the cinema and stalked off.
I'd want to write something about culture or how gays are integrated into Philippine society or something like that, but I'll leave it to some arty farty film critic to talk about it. Yeah. Suck on that.
Yes! Culture!
The production crew of this film were in a sense 'graduates' of this film festival. I'm glad to note that after the festival is over, hard working members of the film industry continue to make classy, original works like this. Hopefully some of that rubs off on the mainstream (not that mainstream Philippine movies are bad, mind you. Some are actually good or at least decent.)
Seriously guys, when it comes out, just watch it. It's hilarious and I hope it gets a commercial release. 9 gay zombies out of 10.
CULTURE!!!
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