Be The Reason For A Smile

The topic we got was Extreme poverty and hunger with the styles’ SM, GE & IN. I was thinking of ways how we can show the topic assigned without putting our own lives in danger, I suggested a place here in Laguna since no one was giving ideas of where we can shoot. We all agreed on going to Laguna after all the discussions on our group chat, we concluded that it’s safer to shoot in the area I suggested, and even though the area is dangerous I asked for adult supervision from my parents and a family friend that is a resident there. The 5 of us, Angela, Ela, Kristen, Jewel and I went on a bus that had the sign of Balibago Complex, Sta. Rosa exit. It was exciting because it was their first time to go to Laguna. We went down on the first stop, we rode a tricycle going directly to my village. It’s so funny because they were taking snapchats and pictures “tourista hits”. We got to the house at around 12pm, I reckon. My mom prepared us food and we enjoyed the meal. After eating, Kristen and I wrote down what we needed to shoot, questions we were going to ask the interviewees and arranging the goods we’ll give to them. After all this, it was time to go to the area called “Inchikan”. The area is within the roads of Westgrove, which is a rich village. Actually before you reach the villa to be exact. A quick fact, Sharon Cuneta has a house there at Westgrove. Going to Inchikan, you’ll be surprised that there is an area that experiences hunger and poverty because it is near rich villages. The outside of Inchikan does not really exemplify a poverty area that was until we went down to the first interviewee, it was hard going down because it was so rocky and it was just land. Bridges were made out of bamboos and a lengthwise piece of concrete. Residents kept on looking and were intrigued by the fact of us being there with our cameras and all our gizmos. Kids were following us as if we were famous. Going inside the first interviewee’s home it was organized but it was small and the floor was wobbly because it was near the river which scared me so I had to be careful. Right then and there I told myself “You are so lucky to have a stable home Bea”. Actually out of all the interviewees I was touched most by the last interviewee, she asked why their life is just like that it was so hard. I wanted to help her in any way I can, when asked of what dream they have a common answer was to eat a complete meal, not get sick and get a job. It makes you think of what you do with your life, I realized how lucky I am to be in a good school, we have a stable home, I eat 3 times or even more a day and I have everything I could ever have and yet I still complain. When we were making this I told myself I would change about how I see life, and let the world see these kinds of problems in the world. After this experience, I’m thinking of taking Development Communications. I am just thankful that I had this opportunity to see and somehow experience their heartaches. I am thankful for this experience because it reminded me of why I chose Mass Communications as my course. I want to be the reason why a person is smiling today. Let us spread love and happiness all around the world.

By: Beanca Navarro

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YoSbLrZdo3o

THE PRAY PROJECT

I'm currently writing, or typing per se, nearly 5AM, already Sunday the 15th. I am honestly at a loss for words right now trying to describe the things I feel about what's happening to our world and other bits and bobs. When I knew that we got the topic of poverty and hunger, I actually immediately thought "seriously? again?" This topic has been given to me from countless subjects for the past semester...and maybe it was for a reason. As a seventeen year old college girl with many, many distractions such as social media and piles of projects and homework for school, you never have or take the time to actually stop and stare around you to think of our country's current situation. In a snap, I pictured what I wanted for the video. I wanted it to have an impact on people; I wanted it to be real. We planned to go to an area and interview people who have gone through or who's going through poverty. And in a nick of time, the filming commenced. We interviewed 3 lovely ladies, Jovy, Rosanna and Normia. I really felt for them and I was inspired by their stories, especially Rosanna. To pay respects to them, we gave them goods just to try and help and give back, cause that's what it's all about. When we were filming the video, to be honest, I wasn't exactly the happiest with the shots we've gotten. I wanted it to be more dramatic, and I realised that it didn't matter. This was real. This is happening. And that's what's important. The hardest process for me was actually the editing. I had to do it alone, it wasn't the usual videos I'd edit; it's just, everything that could have gone wrong, went wrong. I nearly had an anxiety attack, nearly thought I was going through an existential crisis, that’s how crazy I am, but I pushed through. I'm going to be honest and say that I'm not as proud as I could be with how I edited it. I know I could have done more, but like I said, thats's just it. It was still worth it. To sum this up, this experience was life changing. It opened my eyes to the struggles of the people living in our country. I know there's a lot more people going through worse and what I learned is just to be thankful. Thankful of what you have; your home, the roof above you, the clothes you wear, the food you eat, the school you go to. Everything. Recently I read something from the bible, it was about a community that had no poor people in it. And the reason for that is because the rich gave what they had to the poor, shared everything they could to the poor. Thus making none of them poor. Imagine what we could do if we only learned to give and not be selfish and take everything for ourselves. Just learn to give. No one has ever become poor from giving. Like what it says in our video, according to Obama, "If you go out and make some good things happen, you will fill the world with hope, you will fill yourself with hope." Just learn to give. The more you give, the more you gain. And never forget to pray. That’s what this world desperately needs right now.

By Kristen Huang

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YoSbLrZdo3o

ANG WALANG KAPANTAY NA HENERAL: HENERAL LUNA

The film showed me what a true hero “Heneral Luna” is not just because he can lead an army of his soldiers but how he accepted his fate and still keeps on fighting for his life even if he knows that he is outnumbered. He shouted the word “duwag” to the soldiers who ambushed him and murdered him. For it is true a true soldier would not fight someone who is wounded by others. A true soldier would fight someone if he or she is ready to accept that he will not be victorious. Which shows how Luna didn’t shout for help or tried to escape but he faced them all and did his best to protect himself. Also it shows how the government is before they have people that sided before with the Americans just to protect the “economy” but the truth is that it’s all about “business” and “money”. Heneral Luna is fighting for freedom and not just having a peaceful kind of way to end the war but to express that he and his army and all of the “Filipinos” are strong enough to protect the country. The way that he puts up with everything even if he gets rejected he would never give up on what he believes. He is the kind of person who is truly amazing even if he is harsh in some ways. The film also reminds me of our government today for some reason it didn’t change. When it comes to power they would be selfish like in the scene where they tried to ruin Heneral Luna’s name while having a small conversation with President Emilio Aguinaldo. Talking about how Heneral Luna got mad and set out his emotions in a bad way saying words that he didn’t meant to say. It only shows how thirsty others are just to drag down Heneral Luna. It took me awhile before I figured out where the “SPOLIARIUM” scene was supposed to be then I realized it was near the last part where they also killed one of Heneral Luna’s soldiers and was drag up next to him. I actually cried and was still thinking how beautiful it is. 
-Palisoc, Chi

Second time's the charm

Heneral Luna (2015) a film directed by Jerrold Tarog is about Dr. Antonio Luna whom we have known so little about. This film is so raw. After watching this last Wednesday, September 17; it gave me more knowledge about Luna and I applaud his greatness and braveness of what he did and stand for our country, the Philippines, in my mind before watching Heneral Luna he was just in the sidelines.

The cinematography of Heneral Luna was sick! And by sick I mean awesome. The special effects, lighting, music, the angles was just WOW! Also, I heard that the movie had a low budget, AMAZEBALLS! I commend the Team of this movie, the costumes and props were impressive. The locations were wisely chosen. And I believe they used a drone with a camera strapped to it, the overview of the mountain where Luna was sitting. I was also impressed on how they emphasized important details like the slow motion of presenting the Spolarium and the close up of the wrecked Philippine flag, it’s almost hard to believe that this was made by Filipinos, no offense meant. Although some said there were mistakes in the movie, but regardless it was a one hit wonder I must say, it may not be seamless but kudos to everyone involved in the making of Heneral Luna. It was a very good and liberating film, maybe that’s why this movie is trending, I’ve heard my friends from different universities talk about watching Heneral Luna, Professors recommending it to their students, and even my family knows about it. A must-see movie it is.

The mise-en-scenes I have noticed in this movie were: First was the build-up of people complaining about how Luna treated his men, so when the scene of Heneral Luna dropped off by Rusca and before Luna left he said “Mag ingat po kayo, mukhang mabigat ang haharapin ninyo ngayon” I thought that Luna was going to be punished by Aguinaldo due to the complaints of the soldiers, but it was his wife all along. Second was the Philippine Flag at the end which was torn up, in flames and dirty, it represents us Filipinos back then, chaos struck our country not just the invasion of the Americans but the chaos between us fellow Filipinos we turned on against each other. Third, was the Spolarium shown in the movie crafted by Juan Luna, though in the original frame there were 3 roman soldiers being dragged, in Heneral Luna there were only 2 being dragged two of which were Luna and Paco, also may I just commend how they emphasized that scenario, they presented it in slow motion to let the audience feel the sorrow and heartache of how cruel and treacherous our countrymen were. Fourth was when Rusca surrendered when he ran out of bullets, I reckon he gave up so he could live to tell the tale of Luna’s bravery and great love for what is right and for our country. Lastly, when Heneral Luna and Paco’s coffins were being carried I noticed that the soldiers had red on them, Aguinaldo’s carriage had red curtains, and when someone is dead you shouldn’t wear red because it symbolizes that you are happy, then when he was interviewed he said that he did not have anything to do with Luna’s death but the question is “Why wear red?”.

I consider Heneral Luna as my all-time favourite Filipino film! I actually got to see this film twice with my friend, same day, to tell you a brief story about my experience; my friend and I were about 10 minutes late so we had the seat V17 and V18, when we settled down, we unfortunately were seated next to a group of teens who were annoyingly really loud, we couldn’t hear a word said in the movie especially me I have difficulty in hearing when watching TV or a film so we decided to get the 5pm screening and headed for the book fair at SMX. Praying that the second time’s the charm we went and sat at the patron area left wing, although there was a couple behind us that were talking a bit loud it was fine we managed to pull through it, we ended up in tears in some parts of the movie especially the part of Luna’s death and the reviving of Spolarium in the film. When we finished the credits and the teaser I remember saying this to my friend “this movie will be a hit!” I recommend this to everyone, well maybe to those of free minds or of right age. Congratulations to the film maker and director! A job well done for producing such an awesome and knowledgeable film.

By Beanca Navarro

IBA'T IBANG BAHAGI NG MUNDO

“IloIlo”

I’ll start with Flor Contemplacion’s story which is about a Filipina who works as an OFW in Singapore. It is said that she is a murderer with a case of strangling another OFW and drowning a 3 year old child. Two witnesses appeared before Flor’s death penalty they stated that “Flor is being framed by the father of the child for what really happened is that the maid who took care of the child suddenly left when the child was taking a bath then suddenly the child had a seizure which leads the child to his death and the father strangled the maid in revenge for his son.” The statement that the witnesses said was declined and the Government didn’t listen thus ending the life of Flor Contemplacion. President Ramos even tried his best to stop the death penalty for he believed that Flor is innocent. As the news spread it also affects the peaceful relationship of our country “Philippines” and “Singapore” in a way that the citizens of Singapore thinks that other Filipino OFW’s are the same. Comparing the story of the film IloIlo we have Terry an OFW mother who tries to find a better future by going out of the country. She was introduced nicely and was accepted except for the little boy in the family. She was treated as if she was a bad person and the little boy does everything to piss off Terry and he keeps on showing that he doesn’t want Terry to be around. Until one time Terry couldn’t handle the bullying of the little boy she said that “I don’t care if you like me or not just let me do my job as your maid.” With those striking words the little boy wasn’t expecting something like that to happen and still continues his behaviour towards Terry until one time the little boy had an accident where he was trying to go away with his bike a taxi was on his other side without the little boy noticing the upcoming taxi hit him. The parents got mad but didn’t blame Terry for the accident then slowly Terry and the little boy got closer once the little boy accepted her as a person who truly does care. The family had some financial issues and the Father can’t get a proper work for he was fired in his last job. When the little boy started to love Terry and almost doesn’t want her to leave his side the day came where they can’t support and pay Terry the money she needed and has to go back to the Philippines. The little boy was against his Parents decision and wanted Terry to stay. This scene made me look back on the first time the boy met Terry and he wants her to go and leave him alone but then everything changes and he would almost just cling to Terry and beg her not to go for he got attached and love her as his trusted friend. Also the camera work here focuses on the character to emphasize each scene and the growing or blossoming of each relationship into something wonderful. For the production design there where some scenes that Terry was cleaning the room of her employer and then she notices the makeup and jewellery she tried it on and just having thoughts of living the life where she doesn’t need to work. Also the clothes she wears inside the house or simply casual clothing and the ones that her employer gave her is usually used when she goes out like in the scene where she found a part time job as a hairdresser. So by comparing the two stories of Flor Contemplacion and Terry they had different situations that’s a fact and maybe just maybe that Terry was lucky to be in a family that even if they have problems throughout their life love would still be dominant and caring for one another is still present.

“Pinoy Transkings”

I would proudly say that this documentary made me think that yes I should be proud of who I want to be and should not be shy or think that I’m doing something bad as a lesbian in our community. Also it cleared up my mind of misunderstanding Trans from Lesbians and Gays. Like the phrase that they always say or I always here from people like them is “I’m born in the wrong body and I know that I should be a boy in real life.” Whenever they say that phrase I would always feel that pain that they’re experiencing for they want a life that they would be respected and be recognized as a man. That kind of feeling somehow hits me but I don’t consider myself being a man like literally but I know that it really does hurt for wanting something that you can’t get or you need to wait for the right time to actually have it. And at the end of the documentary I also learned how they survive the obstacles that are given to them even if they have that kind of nightmare of being in the wrong body. How they want to tell others that they’re also normal people and nothing is different with them. This kind of lesson should be treasured and everyone should be simply open to what a person thinks of themselves.

“Ang Nawawala”

This movie shows how one person’s emotions could be seen by the audience through his/her own way of communicating. Explaining it further that the character “Gibson” doesn’t speak but still has a way to communicate with his family. He doesn’t have any disability but he only decides not to speak ever since his twin brother’s accident that happened when he was a kid around 10 or 12 years old. He only had a camera with him and he films almost everything that is happening in his environment also around his family. He doesn’t have a good relationship with his mother since the accident and somehow there are scenes where we would see his dead twin brother and it’s always in his room. So it might also be the reason why the whole theme of the movie is retro even if it’s with some latest technology from this day you would just have the vibe of how old things was so beautiful and was focused more. They can’t escape the past that happened in their family that is why they’re stuck and still haven’t got any chance to actually love one another like before. Also it shows how the mother quits on her hobby that one that she truly loves which is photography she still cares for her cameras but she can’t touch it like before because of the painful memory that happened to her child. Also the scenes where the ghost or spirit of the dead twin of Gibson that is still hanging around his room and having conversations with Gibson and the only time that he actually speaks. It only shows that Gibson doesn’t want his twin brother to be gone by his side and expresses that he is only comfortable with him around to talk to and simply express what a teenage boy is actually doing. Until the ending everything changes like how Gibson’s relationship with his mother he finally talked to his mother saying that he was Gibson confirming it to her to finally accept the past and let go of what happened before.

-Palisoc, Chi

"May mas malaking kaaway tayo kaysa sa mga Americano, ang ating sarili" -HENERAL LUNA

Marami ako natutunan sa palabas na ito. Ang pinaka tumatak sa aking isipan ay kung paano ipinaglaban ni Heneral Antonio Luna ang kanyang paninindigan bilang Heneral sa ating bansa. Nakita ko sa palabas na ito na sa umpisa pa lamang ng constitusyon ng Pilipinas ay nagaganap na ang ka traidor'an ng mga Pilipino sa mga kapwa Pilipino. Sa totoo lang, hindi ko alam kung papaano ko uumpisahan ang repleksyon sa asignatirang ito dahil masyado akong nadala sa aking mga nasaksihan. 

"Hindi mga dayuhan ang kalaban ng ating lipunan kundi ang ating mga sarili", iyan ang pinaka tumatak sa aking isipan na sinabi ng makatang si Luna. Maaring may mga taong sumasakop sa ating bayan ngunit tayo mismo ang nagiging sanhi kung bakit hindi natin nakakayanan ipaglaban ang ating bayan. Maaring naging mayabang at naging abusado si Luna sa kanyang kapangyarihan ngunit naiintindihan ko kung ano ang pinanggagalingan nito, ang kanyang galit sa dibdib dahil sa mga nasasaksihan at nalalaman nya na katraydor'an ng kanyang mga kapwa na may kapangyarihan sa lipunan. Tila mga alipin tayo ng kung ano man ang natatamasa natin sa ating buhay na pwedeng magbigay satin ng kapangyarihan upang mag manipula ng mga tao. Nasa indibidwal na lamang ito kung siya ay magpapa impluwensya sa napaka mapaglinlang nating kapaligiran. Isa pa sa mga pinakapaborito ko na linya na binitawan ni Heneral Luna ay nang kausap nya ang isang americano "english english'in mo ako nasa sarili ko akong bayan, Punyeta!"

Natutunan ko sa palabas na ito na hindi lamang ang mga taong nananakop sa atin ang sakim at uhaw sa kapangyarihan at kayamanan kundi tayo rin mismo na nakatira sa ating inang bayan. Hindi man natin ito ginagawa sa paraan na marahas at madugo, kundi pailalim at sa paraan na makakasiguro tayong hindi tayo mabubuko sa kung ano man ang ating layunin. 

Kung ibabase ko sa aking pagkakaintindi, ang tema ng pelikulang ito ay para iparating sa mga tao na hindi lamang ang mga dayuhan ang may kasalanan sa lahat ng mga naganap na pananakop sa ating bansa kundi binibigyan din mismo natin ng butas ang mga ito upang makapasok sa ating bansa at sa ating kultura. Maaring may mga naiwan sila na hanggang ngayon ay tinatangkilik nating mga pilipino, na hanggang sa panahon ngayon ay ginagawa natin, ngunit isipin rin natin na minsan nilang sinakop ang ating bansa, pinatay ang ating mga kapwa pilipino. Kung kaya't isipin natin na hindi sa lahat ng aspeto ay "In" o "Cool" ang pagtangkilik sa mga ito. 

Iilan sa nga Mise - en - scene na aking nakita ay noong naguusap ang Heneral at mga nakapailalim dito. Pinakita sa senaryong ito kung sino ang mas nakatataas ang posisyon at kung sino ang mas makapangyarihang magsalita. 

Ang paghalik ni Aguinaldo sa kanyang ina bago mamatay si Bonifacio ay naganap din bago namatay si Luna. Na nagbibigay sakin ng ideya na may kinalaman talaga si Aguinaldo sa pagkamatay ng Dalawang Bayani.

Ang mga puting tela, damit, at iba pa sa kapligiran ay nagsisimbolo ng ka inosentehan at kagustuhang maging malaya. 

Ipinakita rin dito ang likha ni Juan Luna na "Spolarium". Ito ay nang patayin ang kanyang kadikit na kapatid at ang kanyang kanang kamay. Nang sila ay pagtabihin pagtapos paslangin. 

Namulat ako sa pelikulang ito kung ano ang katotohanan na nangyari sa ating bansa noong unang panahon na tayo mismong pilipino ang isa sa mga dahilan kung bakit tayo naging alipin ng mga banyagang bansa. 

-Mendiola, Francis Mitchell

Heneral Artikulo Uno by Kristen Huang

Heneral Luna (2015) directed by Jerrold Tarog is a historical biopic about Dr. Antonio Luna who is quite an underrated hero in our history. We must remember that this actually happened, this is no work of fiction and it is as raw as it gets. In this film not only did I gain knowledge about the works of Antonio Luna, but gained so much more respect for him knowing what he has done for our country. I actually had to watch the movie twice, the reason being, when we tried to watch the first one, we were late for about 10 minutes and when we came, the people who were sat next to us were immensely loud and very insensitive to those who were watching the film. We could barely understand anything so we had to leave not even halfway through the movie, which was such a shame. As much as I’d love to talk more about the film, I want to discuss the cinematography, musical score, costumes and an absolutely astonishing mise-en-scene. Firstly though, I want to give props to the scriptwriters, Tarog, Francia and Rocha, for an exquisite and humorous script, it was brilliant. Secondly, John Arcilla, you are the man. It’s like he was born to play Antonio Luna, I can’t praise him enough. Anyways, on to the cinematography. The setting for the scenes were stunning, although it made me quite sad that some of the parts were filmed on a green screen, which I don’t blame them at all. It’s not like they could actually rebuild everything or go back in time. Nonetheless, it was still superb. Can we talk about the assassination scene? It was so intense, I could feel every gunshot. That scene was so moving and I can’t even put into words how much I look up to Antonio Luna now. Another scene, I should mention is the one take of Antonio Luna’s youth. It’s so seamless, such a visual spectacle. BUT there was one scene I absolutely loved, which was a breathtaking drone shot with Luna on the hill. I was awe-struck, I adore that shot. And with that, I realised how beautiful our country really is. We have got to give it to Tarog for not only directing the film, but also provided the musical score. The costumes, dare I say it, were on point. It was very noteworthy and accurate. And now to the immaculate mise-en-scene; the Spoliarium scene. I literally got chills when I saw it. It’s not subtle at all and I think it was slow motion for a purpose. When Antonio Luna’s body was being dragged across the courtyard, it was meant to mirror the Spoliarium, the famous painting of Antonio Luna’s brother, Juan Luna. Considering I cried twice during the movie, which I totally did not expect would happen, I can’t even put into words how impressed I am with everything. I’m not one to watch Filipino films, but this has got to be my favourite one, by far. Overall, the movie is a wake up call to us; it is meant to spark a conversation. We Filipinos are still the enemies of ourselves, lacking settlement, torn by selfishness.