LIGO NA U LAPIT NA ME: A Movie Review

This Cinemalaya entry by Erick Salud, Noel Ferrer and Jerry Gracio. Ligo na U lapit na me is a story of two friends agreeing to have sexual benefits from each other. The story revolves around Karl Vladimir Lennon J. Villalobs, aka Intoy, who is secretly in love with his friend Jenny, the most beautiful girl in the campus. Jenny is rich and quirky; Intoy is street-smart and ordinary. But this friendship is not simple, since Jenny has bestowed on Intoy some perks and privileges, including going to bed with her on the condition that they will not fall in love with each other. They are friends with benefits; they keep it no strings attached without I love yous and all the normal relationship dos. 

LIGO NA U LAPIT NA ME - POSTER

I watched the film last July 23 with my friend Maiky Berenguer before going to Chamie's debut party. The film was great; it's very humorous and very realistic. I think the film is really an eye opener for teenagers who are engaging to premarital sex and are rushing things like there's no tomorrow. The stars Edgar Allan Guzman and Mercedes Cabral did well in their acting and it was very realistic. The film have strong supporting cast led by Mel Kimura, Simon Ibarra, Tolyts “Shalala” Reyes, Evelyn Vargas, Malouh Crisologo, Joseph Bitangcol, Lucky Mark Mercado and Direk Jojo Saguin; introducing Victor Medina (son of character actor Pen Medina), with a special guest appearance of Luis Alandy.

Though the film was good, I think the main interest of those who watched it was the fact that the film shows sexual scene that made the people relax on their seats watching the full length of the film. I heard some comments that the film was a waste of money but for me it was okay. I think it was very realistic. That it is just another representation of sex in teenagers though with a twist. Watching the film was a cool experience. I enjoyed it. It was a fun, lively, interesting and a cool film! It really is a crowd drawer and a crowd pleaser!

written by: Tiffany Marie De Jesus

Bahay Bata: A Movie Review

The independent film I watched for Cinemalaya is Bahay bata (baby factory) directed by by Eduardo W. Roy, Jr. and Jerome Zamora. I was with my friends Michaela Berenguer and Tiffany De Jesus, for we had a long break that time and decided to watch the film instead. So we headed to CCP witness the film. I was curious about the movie and what it really is about. I was anticipating it to be about babies because the title says so. :) 

my ticket! ^_^

After watching the film, I realized just how hard it is to be a mother. The movie entails that being a mother isn’t an easy job at all. But more than that, the movie depict different social issues. I was observing that these issues are really happening in real life, and seems to be realistic. The movie illustrates; rise of teenage pregnancy, poor hospital facilities, Filipino’s going abroad and overpopulation. Sarah, a nurse at a public maternity hospital portrayed by Diana Zubiri saw and experienced these issues while suffering with her own pains being pregnant as well. The movie somehow shows poverty in the course of the film and goes to show that many Filipino’s experiences these in real life. What was very striking for me is that a mother even left her baby in the hospital knowing that she can’t provide her needs of her child and that would be best for the child to be in the hospital instead.

"Bahay Bata" movie poster

 The movie served as an eye-opener for me. Especially being a woman myself, for I know that I would be dealing with these hardships at some point in time. I was  awakened by the sad truth that there are a lot of mothers that take pregnancy for granted and doesn’t see the significance of being a mother.  I really liked the film for I became awareof a lot of things, things that I would always learn by heart.

written by: Charmaine Marie Perillo

Ang Babae Sa Septic Tank: A Movie Review

July 17, 2011. A Sunday afternoon was the scheduled date for the viewing of the film, “Ang Babae sa Septic Tank (The Woman in the Septic Tank)”. This movie is one of the films in the competition category. Ang Babae sa Septic Tank is not like the usual indie film that everyone used to know. It showcases another side of the indie films; the truth for every film’s success.

The movie is visually appealing to the audience. Like any other indie films, there is the element of shaky shots which is not new, for indie films are known for that quality. And as for the quality of the film, it is not like the older kinds of indie films that are dark and the resolution differs. The way Ang Babae sa Septic Tank was filmed, the quality is as close to the mainstream movies now. When I saw some scenes at the beginning, I uttered “Ang ganda ng quality, parang mainstream.”

The characters acted well in the movie, and they way they deliver their lines are for real; a small hint of acting is good enough to support the acting that was for real. It was like they were just normal people having a chat with their old friend. Aside from that, the setting shows a deeper meaning to film. The setting matched what the character’s wanted to show in the film they are making.

The most important part of the movie is the story itself. The “movie within movie” theme is very interesting. Starting off with how the characters play their role and how the setting gives effect to it, the movie presents shows another side of the indie film. Though it seemed like the movie is filled with humorous scenes, which was evident through Eugene Domingo’s acting as well as other lead roles, there are times that such scenes would really struck to reality about films. An example would be when the Rainier (Kean Cipriano) said to Bong (JM de Guzman), “The shakier the scenes shots are the better.” This line is really true for indie films; it is one of the distinct characters of indie films that differentiate it with mainstream movies.

The Cast (L-R: Kean Cipriano, Cai Cortez, Eugene Domingo, and JM De Guzman)

This film presents many realities about indie films; the truth and lies behind it. There were several scenes that would really make you realize the current status of Filipino movies. In my opinion, indie films can already replace mainstream. However, people do not get tired of love stories with happy endings, etc. For a movie to get recognition here and abroad, it has to be with substance. Indie films have been popular nowadays for the different stories that they present.

Lastly, the realization that an Indie film can get attraction from many people is that you have to present the reality alone. As the story wants to show, the poorer the situation is the better and the poorer the life of the characters is, the better. This is one realization that really hits me. I don’t get why people have to put on a show like that just for hundreds of people to appreciate it.

People who believe in the power of mainstream movies are stuck into the reality that life is just about happy ending; there is more in it that is yet to be revealed through Independent films.

written by: Annie Mae Dela Cruz