#POPCULTURE | ‘Bigyan ng options! Options! Options! Options!’: 10 Filipino Movies recommended by Celluloid
by Czes Torres and Maricier Carambas
Moving pictures with sounds in a small black box — this is one of the many types of media we ingest nowadays. We love movies so much that we watch them in our small portable gadgets anywhere, anytime we can.
From big shot companies to independent filmmakers, the artistry of film is very much alive and appreciated in the Philippines, and of course, that includes Philippine Science High School — Main Campus (PSHS–MC)’s very own film club, Celluloid! Below are some of the movies Celluloid members recommend that bleed Pinoy.
Manila in the Claws of the Light (Maynila sa mga Kuko ng Liwanag) by Lino Brocka (1975)
Recommended by: ANGELES, Francisco Jr. S.
Attends local film forums and screenings when he has the time
When a film forum spotlighting Lino Brocka’s Manila in the Claws of the Light opened at the Yuchengco Museum in Makati City last August 26, there was no commotion, and no one screamed at the sight of 1976 Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences (FAMAS) Best Actor Bembol Roco. But I think it’s fair to say that the crowd was in a state of reverence because the claws of what many consider to be the pinnacle of Filipino cinema is still as sharp-edged as it was nearly half a century ago, with the same piercing, primitive force.
This 1975 proletarian melodrama finds its masterstroke in succeeding where many political allegories fail. By baring the indignities of the urban poor with such moral and emotional intricacy, it does not fall under the trap of supplying a mechanized pity party — a pity party of characters and plotlines that feel all too archetypal.
The 21-year-old protagonist, Julio, has left his coastal idyll in the province on a self-appointed quest to find his childhood sweetheart, Ligaya, who had suddenly stopped writing home after being lured by Manila’s flashing lights. Upon arriving in the city, Julio is quickly hurled through the anything-to-survive wringer, taking on jobs as a non-unionized construction worker and a reluctant gay sex worker, and facing the filthy horrors of smog-ridden slums and the suffocating brutalities run by policemen in cahoots with the rich and powerful.
As Roco lamented in the film forum last August, Manila in the Claws of Lights still resonates today not only because of the corruption, exploitation, and classism that Filipino resilience is expected to suck up even to this day, but ultimately because, just like more than 50 years ago, this was all spurred on by the grip of a Marcos dynasty in power.
But, don’t feel sorry for Manila. As the film’s final act would reveal, the people at the top have long figured out how to silence the clamor at the bottom: this is how the urban jungle seemingly runs like a well-oiled machine.
Jesus is Dead (Patay na si Hesus) by Victor Villanueva (2016)
Watch on Netflix PH
Recommended by: ALIÑO, Thandie Mavis C.
President of Celluloid, challenges herself to watch at least 50 Filipino movies a year
A sentimental favorite. It is a well-made and well-written film, of course, but I also have a personal attachment to it because it is mostly set in my home of Cebu, and my mother tongue Bisaya is the spoken language here.
Besides its relation to my own identity, Patay na si Hesus is all the more a key Filipino film because of its relation to our culture as a whole. In depicting our country’s most valued entities — the family unit and religion — the film toes the fine line between sanctity and profanity. Its provocative, often dark and satirical humor is also a respite from mainstream slapstick and extremely referential comedy. The latter may not be bad, but where else can you find a local film so bold and daring in its comedic convictions? All of its unorthodox glory can be unlocked in its simple story of an unconventional family embarking on a road trip to attend the funeral of their patriarch.
No need to know anything more. Just be informed that playful irreverence and unexpected heartfelt emotions ensue.
Kisapmata by Mike de Leon (1981)
Recommended by: TOMAS, Amaris Laelle A.
Vice President of Celluloid, local movie connoisseur who also enjoys exploring films of any genre
One of my all-time favorite psycho-horror films!
Charo Santos-Concio, then 25 years old, is Mila Carandang in this true-to-life tale of the horrors of normalizing oppression, masochism, and patriarchy. Based on a 1961 murder-suicide case in the Philippines, Mila dares to defy her father’s haunting wrath, grabbing every chance to end and escape his cyclic methods of pain and control. The film is a brutal look at the Philippines’ tolerance and ineffective response to abuse and toxic masculinity.
Kisapmata will reintroduce the stars of Philippine cinema’s golden age to new generations. Vic Silayan brought genuine terror with his eyes alone and managed to instill a deep-rooted uneasiness within the audience. Charito Solis and Jay Ilagan were at their best in their portrayal of the helpless matriarch and the son-in-law.
As the title suggests, Kisapmata is a reminder of the ever-changing disposition of life: you can change your life and die in peace, or you can continue living it as it is, only for your actions to haunt and torture you just the same.
Leonor Will Never Die (Ang Pagbabalik ng Kwago) by Martika Ramirez Escobar (2022)
Watch on Netflix PH
Recommended by: Tomas, Amaris Laelle A.
Before I begin to explain what a refreshing masterpiece this is, I want everyone to know that I spent almost an hour picking between this, Oda Sa Wala (Ode To Nothing), John Denver Trending, and Big Night!
In her directorial debut, Martika Ramirez Escobar establishes an atmosphere of blurred reality and clearer fantasy. A once-renowned screenwriter finds herself transported into her most personal work of art and discovers that the words grief, passion, and happiness can all fit in a single sentence.
An action-comedy feature serving tribute to the “action star” filmmaking of the 1980s in the Philippines, Leonor Will Never Die allows viewers to ponder on how the dead never really depart, how the living they leave behind force themselves to move on, and how all our personal experiences impact the works we create.
Sheila Francisco demonstrates all these as she portrays Leonor Reyes, who faces a storyline that may or may not reflect the stereotypical Filipino action movie. It is one silly movie that lets the world know the subculture of piracy, the simple joys of entertainment, and the overcoming of sorrow with time, in time.
Four Sisters and a Wedding by Cathy Garcia-Molina (2013)
Watch on Netflix PH, Amazon Prime Video PH, and iWantTFC
Recommended by: DELOS SANTOS, Art Dr.
Secretary of Celluloid, Marvel film enjoyer (yes, including X-Men!) who appreciates heartfelt movies
As an occasional enjoyer of Filipino films, I will always remember this movie the most. Not only does it encapsulate what it is like to live in a family with members who each have unique ways of showing love, it also urges viewers to reflect on their own relationships and lives. One of the scenes, in which Bobby (portrayed by Bea Alonzo) finally confronts her siblings about how she’s felt all this time when she was away from her family, remains iconic to this day. Though the story is specific to the family in the movie, anyone who can see through the characters will find a piece of themselves in the story.
The casting itself was, in my opinion, perfect for what the story aimed to convey. The portrayals were raw and genuine, and it was one of those movies that reached me because of how each actor played their role.
Many of those that I know and have seen it would agree with many of the things I’ve said. With that, I really think this will be a good addition to the list of Filipino films to watch!
Moral by Marilou Diaz-Abaya (1982)
Watch on iWantTFC, Rent/Buy on Apple TV PH
Recommended by: ALIÑO, Thandie Mavis C.
Film sometimes has a habit of superficially presenting “girl power” and rendering it immediately feminist because of the fact, but rarely does it recognize that womanhood is a non-monolithic experience. Rarely does it realize that women are flawed and complex, and are all the more beautiful for it.
Enter Moral. This is a true women’s picture: it stars women, is directed by a woman, and is about the various roles women fulfill in Philippine society. This was especially during the time of the Marcos administration, when the idea of what was moral and what was not was rapidly changing and the effects of the machismo radiated by the people in power reverberated throughout society and how it treated women.
It is about four very different women: Kathy, the ambitious one; Joey, the wild one; Maritess, the meek one; and Sylvia, the mature one. They are the best of friends, but their relationships with each other are tested by everything, from outside sexism to internalized misogyny. The film is episodic, centering on the loose trajectory of their lives, but it is never unfocused. The focus here is on the women, how they grow up and grow out of the boxes their personalities and society put them in. Truly, this is a beautiful film — important to our culture and history, and one of my personal favorite films of all time.
Isa Pa, With Feelings by Prime Cruz (2019)
Watch on Netflix PH and iWantTFC, Rent/Buy on Apple TV PH
Recommended by: MADLANGBAYAN, Xcye Xandre L.
Member of Celluloid, speaks minimal Tagalog but knows a good film from the Philippines when he sees it
Following a moot point in her life, aspiring architect Mara begins taking sign language courses with a deaf teacher named Gali. Despite the clear language barrier between them, the two grow fond of each other’s company to the point of falling in love. But, it would be put to the test when the struggles deaf people face in their lives begin to present their challenges for the leads.
On top of the strong chemistry between Maine Mendoza and Carlo Aquino that carries the heart and romance of the feature, this is easily one of the most heartbreakingly realistic portrayals of the livelihood of deaf people and how they manage themselves around people they can’t hear. With its ultimate message of love breaking through even the biggest barriers like language, it is one of the more unique romance films that is sure to make anyone laugh, cry, and just have an emotional journey.
An Inconvenient Love by Petersen Vargas (2022)
Watch on Netflix PH
Recommended by: GUERRA, Samara Francesca S.
Ex-member of Celluloid, DonBelle enthusiast and lover of rom-coms
As a DonBelle lover, I had so much fun watching this film, revolving around a relationship with a deadline between a girl with a dream of becoming an animator and a charming boy with a lot of love to give.
Visually, the closeup shots and use of color and lighting were stunning; I liked the use of light and color that made every shot in this film so vibrant. I enjoyed the outfits in this film and how they sprinkled in so much personality onto the screen.
The film tackled a lot of real-world issues, incorporating reality into an otherwise cutesy, cookie-cutter love story. The themes were dealt with masterfully: the political, social, and domestic issues that are so ingrained into reality meshed with the two main characters’ love story.
The scenes between Donny Pangilinan and Belle Mariano’s characters were so wholesome, and their chemistry was evidently powerful in every moment they had together. I highly recommend this film to anyone looking to cry,laugh, and feel good at the end of it all.
Philippine Science (Pisay) by Auraeus Solito (2007)
Recommended by: TAMBALQUE, Quenso A.
Creative Head of Celluloid, cubao expo anonas ukay paniki gig mows digicam girlie. Also, a Pisay student.
This film is a journey into the academic world of students in our campus, PSHS — MC. The story revolves around the lives of students, like us, coming from different parts of the country, who chose to study at this prestigious school.
Under Solito’s direction, the film portrays the experiences and antics of the characters as they face academic challenges and embark on personal journeys of self-discovery.
Overall, it encompasses meaningful moments of friendship, love, and academic life that showcase the truth, excellence, and service of the youth in Pisay.
Filipino movies provide a way for Filipinos to show their identities. They have been a medium for us to express ourselves — may it be we creating movies or watching them. They are an avenue of artistic expression where we can show our history, culture, emotions, and struggles. They serve as a representation for the different communities of Filipinos and their struggles.
From the genres of the cheesiest of romances to the most suspenseful horrors, movies impact us. These films can give encouragement to those who need them and show that they can also achieve their aspirations.
