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.