Manila’s Reality

     Being in the city life sounds like bliss. It would feel like an opportunity to grab a new identity in society. Well, that is what people think. Maynila: Sa mga kuko ng liwanag is a film I have heard frequently of back in my high school days. And now that I have the opportunity to watch it, I realize how powerful emotions would be for characters in this film, and other Philippine films at that. 

     The primary theme I have encountered in the film was contentment. Social classes differ in the meaning of satisfaction in life. May it be through how much money you can spend or enough money to pass your everyday necessities. Julio Madiaga was the main character in the story, and he has gone through a lot to find his significant other. In a year, he managed to undergo different work experiences to earn enough to stay in Manila until he finds her. It was worth noting of his character development in the story, from being this humble and kind man who feels embarrassed in staying in other people's homes to having troubling anger issues that led him to violence at some points in the film. I admired the dedication he had, how his character slowly began realizing the reality of living in the city. 

     The expectations I felt from the film were that I felt gratified that some scenes went as I thought it would be, while others turn a turn for a path I did not know was possible. Expected to happen was the thought of underground establishments not only for women but also for men. It was when Julio went through Manila at night, and a male group seen hanging out by the lamp post. And that I also expected the man in the apartment to be Ah-Tek, the owner of the Chua Tek Trading Company.

     In Philippine media, the feelings portrayed in the film carry that impact on the screens. It can be exaggerated or dramatic that would catch the audience's full attention. As the audience, you would come to understand the main character's emotions and well-being that comes from the time on screen. You would feel what he would feel you can agree or disagree with his actions that equal to his emotions at different times throughout the film. The emotions Julio feels whenever he faces situations is when he was not satisfied with it. He has snapped quite a few times during the middle to end part of the story. Next is that you can see the driving passion in Julio to see Ligaya, to find her. All he thinks about is her, and to find out she was gone was already the motivation for him to go and find her. The fear of seeing what he has done in front of him, whenever he gets mad and when he knows it was uncontrollable. The fear in his eyes was definite, and he runs away from that feeling once he realizes it. You can also hear the fear and discomfort in Ligaya's voice while she was explaining her current situation in Manila. Some characters felt uncomfortable during situations, such as Julio and Ligaya. Julio felt uncomfortable when he experienced going into the underground gay establishment with Bobby that he does not return after. The melancholy he felt whenever he thinks about her, and the exertion he goes through to find her is displayed. Mostly expressed when Ligaya passed away, and he was at her funeral, he lost a part of him. The least portrayed emotion I observed during the film was happiness. It reflected most of Julio's experiences with Ligaya. The color and feel of the film were different from the dark and harsh colored reality.

     Manila was depicted in corruption and poverty. A city where women were sought out for their beauty. Ligaya was a victim of the matter, to be given proper education and work but only to be deceived by this practice. It is visually depicted in the film the capitalist and hardship in the country. As they say, "money makes the world go round" as a reflected statement. Julio's co-workers also explained how education was also important; knowing you were able to study and finish school you would be able to apply for a job and earn income for you and your future family. Another explicit theme is how men see women mostly for their physical appearance. Examples are how Pol described Perla if Julio was interested in her or not, and the underground establishments where they pay off women and men alike for their bodies and for a "good time" can be seen a few times throughout the film as well. In one of the underground establishments for men, the client walks in looking for a call boy and he gets an array of choices in a group. The camera pans and though the camera was not focused on Julio, the light coming out from the back of the room shines on him. This clearly showed that the client was going to pick Julio. 

     I made my observations while watching the film, this included Julio's surroundings and reoccurring camera shots and objects that appeared. My first observation was when Benny -- the man who was passionate at singing -- sung a familiar song in the sequence. I finally remembered it was  "The Impossible Dream" from Man of La Mancha. The song gave an empowering tone that gives you the courage to do your best regardless if it impacted more or less to others. It would imply the resilience and courage of the Filipinos in any difficult scenario may it be. And lastly, the warm tones in Julio's flashbacks when he thinks about Ligaya make you think how comfortable he was with her. Julio walked around Manila and he saw a flock of birds flying freely in the sky, it would interpret freedom, as well as a couple together and he also thinks of that with Ligaya. This would imply that he wants to have that kind of freedom and that freedom is with her. Lastly, the gap between the city and the provincial life in terms of social classes. Though in the city would be the life of hope, cities before and even up until in modern times today would see a difference in living.

     It portrayed the realistic way of life starting from the ground up. The struggle of poverty in an unfamiliar city, the stepping stone of the utopia you once thought was until you get to experience it. The film captured the concept of the story that relates itself to real-life situations. The noticeable consistency is when one character is showing or pouring out their emotions, it immediately cuts to a close-up. This is a given for Julio but also other characters as well such as Ligaya, who while explaining herself zooms in to her overwhelming emotions. I commend to the production team of this film that despite having to deal with higher-ups denying the truth and state of the city, they portrayed it in a way people in this modern day would get to understand if things have changed or stayed the same way. The reality that we live in in this country and what we have to strive for to succeed in city life.

     The meaning I got from the film would be the fact that one has the motivation to work hard. One has the motivation to start anew in a big city where dreams can come true, but it comes with a price. The idea of unfair and unnoticed cases of human trafficking is still at large even to this day.  Things don't always come easy for anyone. The contemplation that watching this film now, in the modern days where supposedly would change for the better, it has not. It has been the same may be for some aspects, but doesn’t necessarily mean it has gotten any better. What gave me an impression from the movie was at the end where Julio's face was zoomed in and the audience would have a glimpse of his emotions; fear, sadness, and anger that's within him. For me, I would say the ending had two meanings. One would be he thinks of Ligaya because he has gotten "justice" or revenge on his part. And the other would be why he was thinking about her was because he knows that if he dies, he will reunite once again with Ligaya in the afterlife, in happiness. I loved the film, and it made me learn to appreciate a historic part of Philippine media most likely in cinema more. It was not a huge staple in my life but the passion and messages of Philippine movies reel you into the story and the context within it.

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Lilia: An Overlooked Icon

"... Kung talagang kailangan nila is me Lilia Cuntapay, alam ko naman direk na nag-iisa lang ako eh. Walang kamukha nito direk diba po?" - Lilia Cuntapay

     An excerpt from what she said in the film stuck with me to the end. It was an emotional rollercoaster of laughs and tears that I could not pull away. Lilia Cuntapay is a national icon to movies and media projects, notable for her works in horror genres and as an extra. Though one may not recognize her by name, seeing her face would emit a spark that would remember.

        First and foremost, my initial expectation of the film was to commend her for her roles and as she would win that AFTAP award for Best Supporting Actress. In between the film was her speech, and how she remembers the names who helped her along the way. It portrays her appreciation, the people around her who helped her as much as she helped them. Halfway through the film, I noticed how people underestimate her presence in the industry, as much as people love her and how she acts even without professional training. A pattern of how success should not only be recognized by achievements but by how much fun and happy you feel while doing it. As the audience, you would come to sympathize with what the main character would feel. Lilia Cuntapay experienced happiness, frustration, mixed emotions on the screen. I honestly felt the pain when her role for a scene changed. To be able to perform even to a minor role meant a lot to her. That is one of the things I admire about her, despite the role she delivers the best.

       I observed that the film had an explicit and somewhat symptomatic meaning to it. It manifested the reality of big and small actors where not everyone who acts lives in luxury. The different eras of famous actors and actresses change over with the trends for generations. The recurred reference used in the film was a connection between Lilia Cuntapay and American actor and producer Kevin Bacon. It explained a concept wherein six people or less are we socially connected to a different person; in other words, having mutuals. I guess you can say "small world, huh?" where you get to met new people and reconnect with former mutuals throughout your life.

       I did not expect much more than seeing her big debut as an actress. Even for me, I did not know her based on her name. I guess this would be the case knowing I did not grow up to watch Philippine media back then. I can say that I had cheated expectations throughout the film. However, when I saw her in the film, it hit me -- this woman had a predominant role now that I could not forget. I can see her nature to be an audacious and humble person. She showed how proud she was to be in those films, and her work will be forever on screen. The roles given to her were ideal for the stories the industry makes, not only by how she looks but naturally have the heart for acting. The feeling of satisfaction and confusion ran through my mind. I felt ecstatic to see how much love she received from her neighbors and family. At the same time, I felt confused and a feeling of melancholy when she went over the shooting scene and the interview for ABS-CBN. I would then think about how I would see myself being able to practice and work on something great, and it did not go as planned in the end. But I guess what mattered to her the most is that she was able to express herself. May it be if she won that award or not, nevertheless she won the hearts of the people.

       Based on the criteria discussed in my class, there were points in the film that stood out the most. It happened based on real-life events and experiences that led to the awarding ceremony. The idea of her preparation on stage and her daily life was a coherent connection. The moral and complexity of the film were not as prominent. And lastly, the originality of the film gave experience for the audience to see a person's life different from what one would expect.

       To conclude, I loved the film. I wish I could tell how many times I shed a tear throughout. I understood that it should not always be about the awards or achievements you gain to earn recognition. Lilia Cuntapay impacted the viewers and filmmakers with her presence in the industry regardless of those awards. She deserved more recognition for her roles, and now she is the lead actress in this film, Six Degrees of Separation from Lilia Cuntapay. People from the film explained how she was a pro-active, focused, and responsible person, as well as being the nanay in production. She would take care of those around her, and it was a heartfelt thought. I could only imagine that after the production of this film, she has gotten more recognition than ever. I researched that she won as the best actress for this film. And despite playing a fictional version of herself, she remained as this heartfelt and adventurous person. Though she passed away, her remarkable appearances in shows and movies will remain. Her neighbors and barangay supported her along the way, where she would give her earnings from acting to her family and for barangay projects. This selfless person deserved more dedication for her roles in the past 30 years of her career, and she did after this release. She is the only one for those roles, she is the only Lilia Cuntapay.