The Art of Music- Sheila U. Medina- 202B

                                                                         
                                                                           

The movie that I watched was entitled “Sonata” which means a music or a sound, the story was about a women who has full of grief and longings for love, she was also a retired opera famous singer her shine fades and her voice changes as time passes, an artist who loved to sing different or translated lyrical song. Sonata is also about a unique  friendship between a boy named Jon Jon and retired opera singer named Regina Cadena (Cherrie Gil). Regina Cadena was became alone she owned a farm where the mother of the boy used to work on, Regina was not untammable in fact, she’s weird she always drunk and doesn't want to socialize with others, but that was changed when he met the little boy.  At first it was not easy for the little boy because he think that Regina was crazy, but as time passes he learned to talk and wanted to get attention of Regina he also make much effort to know Regina much better. Which really changed Regina's life, he give’s meaning to the meaningless life of this women. They became friends in spite of their age and time. Regina realized everything, she started to find herself again. But one day there’s a tragic that was happened, a very dramatic part of the story a little boy died because of an accident, the boy was drowned and unfortunately he was not saved by his friends

In my own observation, this movie started a little boring when it comes in sequence of shots, it was played slowly in motion, that made you to say what does the story really mean, I think it cost an hour before I really get the essence and the point of the story, I also thought it’s just going to be not much interested since I didn’t try to watch its trailer, but as the movie getting in a half mid the story became fast where the most interested and  arousing scene begins to identify and shown. And that’s the time I realized that the story itself was really great. The shots the views and the language (bisaya) that was used. The views are refreshing in the eye that also gives attention to the place as province and most of all the traditional doings in the province was featured, that gives you an idea what kind of place is a province like, very authenticated

But 2 things that really caught to my attention was the sequence of the story, for me the director should much focus featuring a lot where in the essence and point of the story was shown, there a lots of time that was “wasted” wherein he focused more of the time showing views and random stories that was not really gives emphasis to the point of the story.

Second was It was fell short most probably where in the best scene was shown, the allotted time that was given to each scene was very short, there’s not much suspense, the scenes lay down very easily, fast and spontaneously that doesn't give much focused to the meaning of the story, though you can understand it, but it was not satisfying. the details were not used to featured completely, and it quickly jump into  another scene, even in the most dramatic part where in it supposed to be dramatic, you cannot really feel the impact and the emotions because it featured in a very short time without complete details of the scene

but I really love the concept of the story the characters made their role very well, and of course the music that was used was really amazing, smooth, elegant and hearty music even though I cannot understand it, and I don’t know what’s the meaning of the song, but still you will feel that your emotions where really plays on it.

Film Review: Ano Ang Kulay ng mga Nakalimutang Pangarap? by Bettina Catli

The National Film festival 2013 opened last September 11, 2013. The country’s best 12 directors showcase their 10 films available to the public at SM Cinemas Nationwide. Among the 12 was director Jose Javier Reyes, who directed the entry, Ano ang Kulay ng Nakalimutang Pangarap, which is a family drama. The question, “where do old things go?” was impeccably tackled by the film. The film starred Ryan Agoncillo, Jackie Lou Blanco, Bobby Andrews and Rustica Carpio. The film shows the story of Teresa (Carpio) who has served a family since she was seventeen, sacrificing her own happiness and dreams to help her family in the province. Now that Mercy (Teresa’s sen͂orita) has passed away, her three children must decide on the matters of her property and the fate of their own nanny.

            The director did a great job of prolonging the crisis of the story, which was the fate of Teresa. In the film, it was shown that the properties were settled, there were already buyers for the land and properties their mother owned. But the question of Teresa’s fate was the most important of all. It was what the audience (myself included) was waiting resolution for. What would happen to dear old Yaya Teresa after the old house has been sold? Would she be taken by her relatives, or would she be taken by one of the three children she used to care for like she truly believes? As the story unfolded, the crisis of Teresa’s situation was given much more depth. No longer was she just an old nanny. She was a beautiful woman who sacrificed her own happiness and dreams because she loves the family she serves and she likes them because they treat her like family. The director offered many options as to where Teresa might end up, making his characters compromise with the situation, much like we do when we bargain for the things we want or want to get rid of.

            The dialogue was truly Direk Joey style: Poignant, true and real. The lines delivered by Teresa were brimming with touching sadness,“Tama ka nga naman, luma na. Aanhin pa nga ninyo yun.”. The line is simple yet meant so much and described humans so effectively. And still, the writers of the film didn’t stop there. The line, “Mabait sila sayo kasi napapakinabanggan ka.” hit straight home. The lines were perfect, seamless and real. Much like the script was the transition from scene to scene, especially for the flashbacks. The setting seamlessly connects the present from the past and the ingenious character positioning helped in creating the atmosphere of reminiscing.

            Stella (Jackie Lou) portrays the eldest among the three and displays the stereotypical personality of an eldest who was quite the only child for some time. Vincent (Bobby Andrews) was the second of the three and like the middle child, is sort of noticed just in passing. Andre (Ryan Agoncillo) being the youngest and most loved by both his mother and Teresa displays the loving, sweet and thoughtful persona of the youngest child. Their characters helped in giving the options for Teresa’s fate.

            Rustica Carpio was amazing in her role. Her acting of the deep belief that her character would be taken by one of the three children was just heartbreakingly sad. She was assured, countless times by the siblings that she would be well cared for and this she believed whole heartedly. In her mind she thinks that it was only natural that they wouldn’t leave her hanging – after all was she not the one who cared for them and their mother all her life? Did she not treat them like her own children and their mother, her dearest friend?  For her it wasn’t utang na loob. It was natural as caring for your own mother. She felt that she was treated like family and so she believes that she would be taken care of like family.

            The movie implies the nature of humans too. Do we not throw old things or give them to other people after we have finished with them because they have become too old or take up too much space? This film is truly brilliant, a film that spears the heart and chews on the conscience. 

Posing with Mall of Asia's poster of the National Film Festival

Ano Ang Kulay Ng Mga Nakalimutang Pangarap? - Katia Mae Dela Cruz

Ano Ang Kulay Ng Mga Nakalimutang Pangarap?

by Jose Javier Reyes

★★★☆☆

In cooperation with SM Cinemas, Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) has presented Sineng Pambansa National Film Festival 2013 which showcases films from the country's most acclaimed film directions. Veteran film directors like Mel Chionglo, Peque Gallaga, Lore Reyes, Joel Lamangan and others created another collection of riveting and world-class films that every Filipino will be proud to see.

I have decided to see Ano Ang Kulay Ng Mga Nakalimutang Pangarap? by Jose Javier Reyes. The trailer and movie poster were both successful in enticing me to see the film. Being such a sucker for tear-jerking movie, I know I have chosen the right film to watch. Ano Ang Kulay Ng Mga Nakalimutang Pangarap? is about Teresa, a kasambahay who dedicated sixty years of her life being of service to the Bautista family. She raised three children namely Vince (Bobby Andrews), Stella (Jackie Lou Blanco) and Andre (Ryan Agoncillo) who all moved to another county. When the family’s matriarch passed away, the three siblings all went back to the Philippines with no choice but to sell all their properties. But now that Vince, Stella and Andre are all based abroad and are about to sell the house where Teresa is staying, where will Teresa end up? In the end, what Teresa expects from the people she took care all her life may not bound to happen.

The story of the film is moving and poignant already on its own. The choice of the characters is well-thought of. Rustica Carpio has executed her role flawlessly. Bobby Andrews, Jackie Lou Blanco and Ryan Agoncillo were all realistic and believable too. The script, as expected from Jose Javier Reyes added to the many reasons why this film is a must-see. One scene that truly tugged me at my heartstrings was when Teresa and Andre were talking about selling the old furniture because Andre said that keeping old furniture was impractical and useless. At that moment, I truly felt how Andre and the siblings saw Teresa as an old furniture gathering dust in one corner and just waiting to be thrown away. Reyes’ ability to make the audiences feel an overbearing emotion is impeccable.

The cinematography of the film is also commendable. Reyes’ told the story through pieces of flashbacks and transitions from past to present which brings audiences a realization of how Teresa’s past brought her to her current situation. The flashbacks showed two aspects in Teresa’s past. The first is her short-lived yet genuine love for the Bautistas’ chauffeur, Nato and the second is the beautiful bond she has formed with Mercy, the mother of the three siblings. The flashbacks made me established a sense of sympathy for Teresa, knowing how much she has sacrificed for the people she loves. The tragedies from her past made the story even more touching and stirring. Another element is the use of music. The musical score of the film came a bit eerie to me. But it just added to the dreadful feeling the ending has brought. As to the ending, although it came as a surprise to me, it was cinematically beautiful. The lines of the young man who approached Teresa and the way she looked at the camera in the end were the ultimate tear-jerking moments. There was a part of me wishing that Reyes has concluded the film in a clear manner. But an open ending gives the audiences an opportunity to end the film in whatever way they want to. Even though I would love to see the three characters realize how important Teresa is at the end, making that happen would not make the film heartbreaking and painful as it is.

Ano Ang Kulay Ng Mga Nakalimutang Pangarap? not only made me cry and burst into a ball of emotions, but it also gave me a lot of realizations about the people around me. Being raised by my grandparents, I became even more appreciative and grateful because I have people behind me who are willing to give up their own lives just to look after me and not see me as a burden they are obliged to take care of. People like Teresa are rare. It is not everyday that you get to meet a person who has her whole life ahead of her but chooses to give that up for you. So when you do meet someone like that, thank her/him enough because life is too short to not spend appreciating the people who make your life a lot better.