Watched Dekada ‘70 and Mano Po yesterday, just to find out what the ruckus was all about. Two Filipino films in one day! A lifetime achievement on my part. Either I’m lowering my standards, or Filipino films are getting better.
I’m still wondering why Mano Po won big at the MMFF Awards. Dekada ‘70 is a better movie. It’s the best Filipino movie I’ve seen this year. Granted, Dekada had this awkward, episodic feel that could have been addressed with better editing, it didn’t deserve the trashing it got from the awards. And Palanca-winning Lualhati Bautista certainly didn’t deserve the disrespect dished out by those punk-asses in the MMFF executive committee. She should at least have been nominated. Now they claim that they simply “overlooked” her efforts. Some retard taped over her name on the list. It’s revolting.
Of course, I am hardly an objective judge. I’ve read and admired Lualhati’s works way before the movie, and I have a soft spot for these social awareness-type films. And my mother was a Vilmanian. Still, I was caught off guard by this movie. It is a faithful adaptation of the novel—in form and in essence. It didn’t compromise on touchy issues like the activism, police brutality, and women’s rights. It’s a poignant, heartfelt, family drama. And, probably most important—it is a powerful lesson for our generation on the human tragedy of the dark years of the Marcos dictatorship. It haunts us with the price that we paid—and may pay again—should our democracy fail.
All these were probably lost to the awards committee, who opted for the cuddly, apolitical family drama presented by Mano Po. It’s Christmas, after all, and they probably didn’t want to offend any sensibilities that could recoil in this season of giving: The Marcoses, the “commie = terrorist” phobes in government, the police. Dekada ends with a note of defiance, with the reminder that the struggle for emancipation is a continuing battle. It’s a movie with a rebel heart, a sore and gritty thumb poking out of the usual MMFF fare of hokey, escapist fantasies. Recognition for filibusters? The gods forbid!
This brings to mind the perpetually troubled state of the Filipino film industry. The MMFF was supposed to be a celebration—a ritual for renewal. Instead it devolved into the usual burlesque of politicking, backstabbing, and unadulterated incompetence. My film history professor used to lament about our ailing movie industry, about what a loss it would be should it die. I say, let it die. It would be the humane thing to do. Stop the coddling of local film studios with incentives and subsidies (give it to independent filmmakers, or to film students). Make the market fully open (and show The Two Towers, already, damnit). Let the studios who can’t compete on the basis of merit shrivel and die. Banish them to the desert of the home video market, where the vultures of Greenhills can pick on their rotten flesh.
Let the brave new directors, writers, cinematographers, editors, and key grips come forward: We are ready to receive you.
Entries (RSS)
February 12th, 2003 at 7:20 pm
i watched both dekada and mano po..
and for me..both are deserving to be the best film… but for me there is only one at a top..and that is Dekada…… as an actor.. i do believe Piolo Pascual, as BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR, and as one of his zillion fans…. im so happy for him, hoping that Piolo will be the best among young actor. A simple kind of him is so admirable.. For Piolo…good luck for your career, and God Bless You always..
Its mhe,
Ana
July 23rd, 2003 at 11:15 am
tnx for d insites and summary of d book…so now,i dont have to read na…hehehehe!!!
October 7th, 2003 at 12:06 pm
DEKADA ‘70 IS THE BEST!!!! AND I NEED THE SUMMARY OF THIS MOVIE DAHIL PROJECT NAMIN SA FILIPINO SUBJECT NAMIN!!!!!
October 23rd, 2003 at 4:23 pm
can u give me a summary of dekada ‘70 (tagalog version) i nid to pass it tomorrow for my project. please send me….
October 23rd, 2003 at 4:46 pm
can u send me the summary of dekada ‘70 tagalog version? i need it very badly for my filipino project. tnx
October 23rd, 2003 at 4:47 pm
can u send me the summary of dekada ‘70 tagalog version? i need it very badly for my filipino project. tnx
November 10th, 2003 at 12:14 pm
pls……send me a copy of dekada ‘70 tagalog version……pls….asap!!!!i need a copy asap!!
November 27th, 2003 at 10:26 am
please send me…. the summary of dekada 70 novel (tagalog version)…i need it now…. please………..thanks.
December 5th, 2003 at 1:18 pm
ano ba naman yan wala kayong mga summary sana manlang tulungan nyo kaming mga students noh!!!!!!!!!
December 10th, 2003 at 12:41 pm
can you please send me a summary of “Mano Po” the movie part one…I have to make a project out of it…thank!
December 14th, 2003 at 11:02 am
pleassssssssseeeeee send me the tagalog summary of dekada ‘70. I need it now!!!!!!!!!!!!
December 16th, 2003 at 2:47 pm
please send me summary of dekada 70 anak ng cruz or gapo..any will do ..thnks!!!!
December 16th, 2003 at 7:02 pm
please give me a summary of mano po
December 22nd, 2003 at 4:02 pm
Please give me a summary of Chavit. I really need it for my project in Filipino.
December 28th, 2003 at 2:13 pm
maari po ba kayong magpadala saakin ng buod ng dekada 70 ni luwalhati bautista?ang dami na pong humihingi.sana po ay pagbigyan ninyo ang aking hiling.sige na papasko na lang po ninyo sa kion yun.hihihi.salamat!
January 3rd, 2004 at 12:51 am
can you please send me a copy of dekada 70 (tagalog version)coz i nid it in our filipino subject…please…..or any novel in tagalog…pls………tnx in advance!!!!1
January 3rd, 2004 at 5:35 pm
can you give me the summary (in tagalog) of mano po or any novel.. Pls.
January 4th, 2004 at 2:54 pm
please send me a copy ng tagalog summary ng dekada ‘70. I need it for my Filipino Project. Please!
January 6th, 2004 at 3:05 pm
pls pls send me a tagalog summary of dekada ‘70 today!!! i need it 4 tom!!! TY!!!
January 8th, 2004 at 12:15 am
please send me a agalog summary of dekada 70. for my nephews project
it will be greatly appreciated .thanks
January 11th, 2004 at 10:53 pm
please send me a summary of mano po 2 because i need it for my report. thanks….
January 13th, 2004 at 11:09 am
Please send me a summary of Bata bata paano ka ginawa? ni Lualhati Bautista tagalog version. Maraming salamat po
January 14th, 2004 at 2:00 pm
please send me a summary of mano po 2 i need it today…thnx..
January 14th, 2004 at 6:31 pm
can you send me a summary of mano po or any filipino movie for my project? thanks1
January 17th, 2004 at 1:38 pm
pls.send me a copy of the summary of dekada 70(in tagalog) by lualhati bautista.i need it right now.thanks.
January 17th, 2004 at 8:31 pm
pls………..pasend ng tagalog version ng mano po 1!!!!!!!!!!!!!plsssssssss….ung summary..pls……..pli send sa email ku….anne_kryz@hotmail.com thx….
January 17th, 2004 at 11:42 pm
pls. send me a tagalog summary of dekada’70 by Lualhati Bautista.. i need it for my project on monday..thank you..
January 18th, 2004 at 4:32 pm
maaari pa ba kaung magpadala ng buod ng dekada ‘70 ni lualhati bautista
January 22nd, 2004 at 9:11 am
Pls. send me the summary of dekada ‘70 (in englih) i need it for my paper. thanx so much!
January 24th, 2004 at 3:12 pm
pls. send me a summary of dekada 70′ in Filipino. I really need it.ASAP! thanx;p
January 27th, 2004 at 11:29 am
pls. send me the summary in tagalog mano po 1 for my proj.
January 31st, 2004 at 9:42 am
Please send me a summary of Mano Po 1. I need it for my project. Thank you
February 1st, 2004 at 6:50 pm
Please send me a summary of Bata bata paano ka ginawa? ni Lualhati Bautista tagalog version. Maraming salamat po
February 1st, 2004 at 7:55 pm
plssss………….send me a summary of bata bata paano ka ginawa?ni lualhati bautista tagalog version pls…… thanx….
February 1st, 2004 at 8:03 pm
pls send me tagalog summary kailangan ko sa book report ko
February 2nd, 2004 at 8:36 am
Pwede po bang mahingi ang summary ng dekado 70 or mano p0 in tagalog version para sa project po sa filipino. kung pwede po asap. need it wednesday po feb. 4,2004. tx
February 3rd, 2004 at 10:08 am
Dear, Sir MAdam
can give me a copy of mano po 1 or a reaction of that film just send to my e-mail address…. t.y 4 the kind cooperation and Godblees to your site………….
February 3rd, 2004 at 4:34 pm
kung pwede naman po!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! pahingi naman po ng buod ng dekada ‘70, bata-bata paano ka ginawa,o man lang mga luha ng buwaya. pakiusap lang po!!!!!! kailangan ko lang po kasi nito par sa aming project sa filipino. kaya kung may awa po kayo sa aming mga naghihirap sa kakahanap at kakabasa ng mga nobela sa loob lamang ng isang maiksing panahon. pero thank you na rin po sa tulong ninyo at maraming maraming salamat po!!!!!!!!!!!!
February 4th, 2004 at 4:59 pm
To whom it may concern:
Can I ask for a summary fo Mano Po 1 in english version. Can I have it any time of the day. February 4, 2004. U send it to sand_storm11@yahoo.com
Thank you.
February 5th, 2004 at 5:42 pm
pls send me a tagalog summary of dekada ‘70…pleEaSSSeeee…~02~
February 5th, 2004 at 5:54 pm
hi!! pls send naman po sa akin ung summary ng dekada 70 ngayon or tomorrow. i need it for my project kc in filipino. plsssss….
thanks!! more power…..
February 6th, 2004 at 9:23 am
i’ve watched dekada 70. i was really surprised to see how great the movie was.. hope to have its summary basing form the novel of lualhati baustista.my bro told me that there are some differences from the one written by bautista and the movie…
February 6th, 2004 at 8:55 pm
Its been a long tym..bago ko napanood i2ng movie na i2 grabe i was amazed to this story…..sna po padalhan nio po ako ng summary ni2…plzzzzzzzzz
February 6th, 2004 at 10:43 pm
please send me the Filipino summary of dekada.. please.. i need it badly., thankz
February 7th, 2004 at 2:00 pm
pls send me the summary of Bata,Bata Paano Ka Ginawa?
February 10th, 2004 at 9:15 am
kailangan ko ngaun ang buod ng dekada 70 tagalog pls…….. bigyan mo ako
>thanks
February 11th, 2004 at 8:11 pm
meron bang summary and dekada 70?
kung meron man, bigyan nio rin naman po ako..
share.
ang hirap talaga maghanap.
kung meron man talga.. pakibahagi nmn sa akin..
send nmn po ninyo sa akin..
kung maari.
kung meron.
maraming salamat.
ang hirap talaga maghanap ng buod ng dekada 70.
February 11th, 2004 at 8:13 pm
meron bang summary and dekada 70?
kung meron man, bigyan nio rin naman po ako..
share.
ang hirap talaga maghanap.
kung meron man talga.. pakibahagi nmn sa akin..
send nmn po ninyo sa akin..
kung maari.
kung meron.
maraming salamat.
ang hirap talaga maghanap ng buod ng dekada 70.
February 12th, 2004 at 10:15 pm
gud evening, i just want to ask for the summary of dekada 70 and tanging ina.
pls indicate also the character/role they play for the said novel coz i need it so badly for my daughter’s book report in their school
which to be pass tomorow morning, i just have this time to ask this coz im working mom and very busy at office.
hope for your kind attention and consideration with regards to this request.
ps. i just wait till mid-night
really sorry and thanks a lot for your kind help
marivic n. javier
February 13th, 2004 at 1:03 am
i hope na magkaroon ng mga ilang summary ng ilang mga kilalang mga nobela sa bansa tulad ng dakada’70 at marami pang iba upang hindi kami masyadomg mahirapan at pwede paki translate na rin ito sa tagalog.
thanks
February 14th, 2004 at 11:10 am
please give me some comments and suggestion for direction,ending of the story and summary pls…..send me now!!!!kasi kailangan namin sa prject namin… thanks
February 14th, 2004 at 12:05 pm
send nyo naman ako english summary ng Mano Po, need ko na tomorrow..tnx
February 15th, 2004 at 5:55 pm
pls……send me naman the tagalog summary of “luha ng buwaya”A.S.A.P.
February 15th, 2004 at 5:57 pm
pls……send me naman the tagalog summary of “luha ng buwaya”A.S.A.P.
February 15th, 2004 at 6:00 pm
pls……send me naman the tagalog summary of “luha ng buwaya” I need it now cozz dis is my proj. in fil.mmmmmuah!!!!
February 16th, 2004 at 12:12 am
Send me naman ung summary ng Dekada ‘70 kasi kaylangan ko sa project ko sa english, plz!
February 17th, 2004 at 11:53 am
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!send me some summary about mano po in english please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
February 17th, 2004 at 11:55 am
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!send me some summary about mano po in english please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
February 17th, 2004 at 7:05 pm
pls send me tha summary of dekada 70 i need to past it on friday tnz
February 18th, 2004 at 6:00 pm
i nid a summary of dekada pls….
February 19th, 2004 at 7:20 pm
pls send us some summary of mano po 2.
February 19th, 2004 at 7:21 pm
pls send us some summary of mano po 2.
February 20th, 2004 at 12:46 pm
i agree with your comments about the two movies mano po and dekada but i think mano po won because they were more commercialized than dekada a bit bias i think. cool ideas too. do you have a tagalog summary of the book dekada ‘70? i know i’ll be the nth person to ask but if you’ll do me a favor i thank you very much! peace!
February 21st, 2004 at 1:18 pm
helo po pls naman bigyan nyo ako ng book report sa Gapo ni Lualhati. sana po tagalog plsssss. lang po bigyan nyo ako.
February 22nd, 2004 at 1:25 pm
pls… send me the summary of dekada 70.. in tagalog….
February 22nd, 2004 at 3:54 pm
hi can you give me comments about the story mano po….. pls….
February 22nd, 2004 at 3:58 pm
gud day! may i have a tagalog summary of the book dekada ‘70 please! thank you
February 22nd, 2004 at 5:10 pm
kailangan ko ngaun ng tagalog na buod ng Gapo pls…………………………………..
help me……………..pasa nyo sa akin email add jaja_s42003@yahoo.com friends na tau pag tinulungan mo ako.
February 22nd, 2004 at 5:26 pm
maaari po bang padalhan ninyo ako ng buod ng Dekada ‘70 at bata bata paano ka ginawa sa kadahilanang ang hirap pong maghanap at interesado po talaga ako sa kwento ngunit wala po kaming sapat na pera upang bumili ng libro.
Inaasahan ko po ang inyong malugod na pagtugon sa aking liham.
Pasensya po sa istorbo at maraming salamat po sa oras na inyong inilaan para sa pagbasa ng aking mumunting liham.
February 24th, 2004 at 12:30 am
pwede b mkhingi ng buod ng dekada ‘70 at bata,bata paano k ginawa?
February 24th, 2004 at 4:55 pm
pwede humingi ng tagalog summary ng dekada 70 (tagalog version) …
February 24th, 2004 at 8:53 pm
do u have a copy of “bata,bata paano ka ginawa?” by lualhati bautista.kelangan ko kc sa filipino report ko…plzzzzz…i really nid it….can u send it to me by tomorrow….thanks!!!