INDIE FILM: “DED NA SI LOLO”

TASK 1

            “Ded Na Si Lolo” is a Filipino indie film starring four of the finest actors in Philippine cinema, Gina Alajar, Elizabeth Oropesa, Manilyn Reynes, and Roderick Paulate. Also starring RJ Flores as Bobet, the little grandson who has stuffed his pockets with cotton and ammonia to help with the family’s fainting spells. The movie title is from Bobet’s perspective, thus, Ded Na Si Lolo which means Grandpa is Dead. The comedy film is directed by Soxie Topacio.

            “Ded na si Lolo” is a film about how a family of five siblings coped with the death of their father. This film is a depiction of a Filipino culture in which there were lots of superstition to be seen. The two dominant cultures of the Filipinos are the strong family ties and superstitious beliefs during the funeral. Familiarity to one’s family is a major factor that supplies to the success of the society. The second is the “lamay” in the house from where the family of Manilyn grew up with their father. In this experience of lamayan one comes to realize that different meanings may be attached to it, depending upon the perspective taken up. In the movie, when the patriarch of the family dies, his children come together at their family home to mourn his passing. But his children all have a flair for the dramatic, and as they gather around their father’s death, all of their issues with each other come to fore. As they try to entertain their guest, work out the logistics of their father’s funeral, and deal with the various superstitions associated with the dying, they soon discover a long held secret that helps bring them all closer together. During the “lamay” the house was cloaked with superstitions. The members of the family followed some of the superstitious belief: The members of the family must wear a black mourning pin. It signifies that they are in great grief, and so, they need to wear this as a sign of sadness. A container should be prepared for the limos. Since the dying is expensive, this is helpful for funeral needs. The money collected will be spent for the foods, coffin and other expenses. This will at least lessen the need for money. No taking a bath and you should not comb your hair within the vicinity of the funeral. When Rainer took a bath inside their house, his mother immediately let him came out and took a bath in the neighborhood. Don’t let your tears fall on the coffin. This is for the soul to go on with his journey peacefully. When the daughter of Lolo came, she instantly went to the coffin and cried aloud. But his step sister told her not to let her tears fell down in the coffin so that their Father will journey peacefully. Before the coffin is brought to the funeral car, all relatives should pass under the coffin so that moving on is easier for the loved ones. Lastly, the family together with the mourners will work their way to the Church for final blessing, then to the cemetery. This is called “hatod” which means bringing the dead to his destination.

            Finally, with these realities revealed in the experience of “lamayan” about the true personal character of the Filipinos, an undeniable realization that dawns upon us is the fact that the Filipino, no matter what his condition in life is, may he be rich or poor, is ever willing to the rescue of his fellowmen in their times of grief and distress- may his fellowmen be his friends or strangers. This gentlemen and compassion comes from his ability to perceive and visited by death, and from his awareness that as a human being he could never escape this painful experience of someone dying within his own family.

INDIE FILM: "INANG YAYA"

TASK 1

            “Inang Yaya”, a light-hearted Filipino film is a must-see, especially for Filipinos who think that watching local movies is low class. It is Filipino film-making and story-telling at its best, with brilliant cinematography, superb acting, light but straight-to-the heart drama with subtly stated but powerful social relevance.

            “Inang Yaya” starts with Norma vacationing in her province for a few days. We are introduced to her daughter, a very curious and energetic Ruby (Tala Santos) and her mother (Marita Zobel). The mother complains of the very short vacation that is afforded her, and begins to warn her of the possibility that she might not always be there to take care of Ruby while she's in Manila taking care of another person's daughter. When Norma’s mother died, she had to take Ruby with her in the city. Louise and Ruby got well together despite the slight competition that they had. Yet they managed to be the best of friends amidst their differences in social stature. When Louise’s family had to move to Singapore, Norma had to make an important decision: to go with them to take care of Louise whom she treated as her own, or stay in the Philippines and take care of her daughter whom she had deprived her total attention and nurturing.

            This film was based from the very best of the collective Filipino's experience with their yayas or stay-in nannies, which are probably endemic to Filipino culture since these nannies literally become part of the family and have become an indelible part of the childhoods of those privileged enough to have them. The filmmakers' acknowledgment of these unsung heroes' sacrifice of being dual mothers to their natural children and their children out of employment. The plot may be merely a string of heart pounding situations and scenarios that dwell on slight conflicts.

          TASK 2

            The two indie films, “Ded na si Lolo” and “Inang Yaya” were both an amazing films I’ve ever watched. Love and Filipino cultures can be seen in both films. The first film “Ded na si Lolo” shows how the siblings loved their father who was lying in a coffin by crying and how they quickly go to their father’s funeral which was their house. Love was also showed when Aling Pillar (First wife of their father) came to the funeral, and they have no idea who she was until their brother told them that Aling Pillar was their father’s first wife, who is willingly to give help if they needed money or daily expenses. Aling Pillar was also the one who supports all of them to be able to study without any doubt. This film contains difeerent kinds of Filipino cultures like superstitious beliefs.

 Like in the second fim that we watched, “Inang Yaya”, it also shows how powerful the relationship of a mother and daughter. Even if Norma wasn’t able to watch her own daughter grows, she fully loved her daughter Ruby by all her heart even if she’s far away with her. She treats Louise as if she was her own daughter. As time goes by, she needed to bring Ruby in Manila because Norma’s mother died. There was a little conflict between the two children but Norma still managed to show love towards the children.

TASK 3

            Life is full of ups and downs. We can’t say what will happen within the day. We are not a fortune teller who knows what can be the future tells. As a student, like me, I have different moods and emotions in almost everyday. I can be happy, sad, depressed, stressed, or tired at the same time or day by day. One day, I feel like I’m very lucky because I have submitted activities or assignments on time and if I am not able to pass it on time, I will feel sad and stressed at the same time. Life is like you’re in a television. A korean drama or Filipino drama, any kinds of drama which contains different emotions and you as the main character. Tears is not a sign of weakness but an indication of how strong your feelings are. Like they said, change is the only constant thing in this world. And always remember that great things never came from your comfort zones.