In Memory of Aaron Rabajante

13 August 2004. Past
Someone I know just died. It’s sad really. I haven’t been to a hospital to visit the dead before.

* * *

12 August 2006. Not-too-distant past.
He’s been dead for two years now. Yes, his was a death that bothered me the most.

He used to be one year younger than I was. Then it became two. Now it’s three. I guess, Peter Pan has found a way never to grow old.

* * *

18 August 2004. Past
I went to his wake last Sunday (August 15). At first I hesitated to look inside the coffin. Later, curiosity kicked in.

I peeped. I didn’t see Aaron. It was a carcass I saw; it didn’t look like him. It didn’t even look like any human I know.

He’s being buried today. For all it’s worth, I hope he’ll rest in peace.

* * *

Present
“In Memory of Aaron Rabajante” was the original title of the written eulogy I gave his mom two days after his death. Not wanting to keep the piece between his mom and me, I quietly sent a copy to the Philippine Daily Inquirer. Little did I know that it will be the piece that would put me on the same page as Rina Jimenez-David as well as on the net.

In a way, I exploited his death. I ask him to forgive me for that.

And still I continue to exploit him. My need to tell people how it feels to lose someone obliquely family is my only excuse.

I ask him to understand me for that.

Isang Araw sa Buhay Ko

Heto ang unang eksena ko sa opisina ngayong umaga.

Kaopisina: (Lalapitan ako sa may Mac) Andito ka na pala. Akala ko absent ka.
Ako: (Tatanggalin ang earphone sa kanang tenga) Ako? Hindi ah!

Patlang.

Ako: Ang aga ko nga, natatae naman ako!
Kaopisina: (Matatawa)
Ako: (Mapapansin ang kakaibang ngiti ng iba pang kaopisina na hindi kasali sa usapan.) Malakas ba?
Kaopisina: Oo.
Isa pang kaopisina na hindi kasali sa usapan: Nakaearphone ka kasi.

Hayan. Ika nga ay “Welcome to my world.”
* * *
Sadyang nakakatuwa ang mga palitang kuru-kurong mula sa tunay na buhay katulad nang nasa itaas. Kung maitatala ko lang ang mga ganoong pangyayari sa buhay ko, malamang magkakapera ako.

Sa ngayon heto na lang muna.

On-line at libre.
* * *
Minsang naghihintay kami ng mommy ko ng FX pauwi (nag-bonding kami noong araw na iyon), na-stranded kami sa harap ng mall dahil sa lakas ng ulan.

Mommy: (Magsisindi ng yosi) Yosi muna ako.
Ako: (Walang reaksyon)
Mommy: Yosi tayo, Tye.
Ako: Ano ka ba, Ma, hihilahin mo pa ako sa bisyo mo.

Aral ng kwento ay napapaloob sa eksaktong sinambit ni Ms. Jen, ang “isa pang kaopisina na hindi kasali sa usapan”: Kung ano ang nakikita ng matanda ay nakikita ng bata.

Exactly!
* * *
Isang beses na mistulang pinaiikot-ikot kami ng taxi driver pauwi mula sa Greenhills nagsimula nang magtaka ang Ate ko.

Ate ko: Manong, nasaan na po tayo?
Manong: Umiiwas lang po tayo sa trapik.

Lingid sa kaalaman ni Manong, nag-uusap na kami ng Ate ko sa likod ng taxi nya gamit ang aming mga facial muscles.

Manong: (Nag a la tour guide) Eto yung, (blank—di ko maalala ang pangalan) building.) Dito tumalon si Ma. Teresa Carlson at si Nida Blanca.
Ako: (Maiinterrupt ang “pakikipag-usap” sa Ate ko. Kay Manong) Tumalon din si Nida?!

Nang-aasar ba ako? Pa-inosente pa ang approach!
* * *
Heto pa ang isang kwentong taxi.

Drayber: Ma’am dagdagan nyo naman po ako ng trenta pesos.
Mommy ko: Grabe naman kayo, Manong.
Drayber: Sige na ma’am. Pasko naman.
Ako: Ay, wala po kaming Pasko. Muslim kami.
Drayber: (Mahihiya) Ganoon po ba?

Parang may narinig akong manok na tumilaok pagkatapos noon!
* * *
Ako na yata ang pinaka hunghang pag dating sa kape. Umaasa lang ako sa 3-in-1. Salamat sa 3-in-1 sachet, nakaligtas ako sa pagtitimpla ng kape noong taping ng show na pinag-practicuman ko! At maraming salamat din sa Figaro, dahil, sa GMA, di ko kinailangang magtimpla ng kape.

Binlow-out ako ng isa kong kabarkada sa Stabucks nung birthday nya. At ito ang nangyari.

Barista: Ma’am, meron po kaming promo ngayon. Free upsize ng inyong drinks. Kapag bumili kayo ng tall, magiging grande, etc.
Bday girl: A, ok.

Mapapansin ng barista na nakikinig kaming maiigi kaya itutuloy nya ang pagpapaliwanag ng nasabing promo.

Barista: Kaya lang ma’am hindi sya nag-aaply sa mango and orange juice.
Bday girl: Ahh.

Mistulang nagkaintindihan na kami.

Patlang.

Ako: Pa -order kami ng isang mango at orange juice.

Naka-order na kami ng kape. Sinubukan muli ng barista na makabenta.

Barista: Would you like to add some cakes, ma’am? We have…(Blah! Blah! Blah!)
Bday Girl: Ay hindi na po.
Ako: Meron na akong…(Sasabihin ko sana, pretzels—hindi Jack n Jill ha!—na kukutkutin. Nagbago isip ko.) Meron na akong baong kanin.
Barista: Ahh, OK ma’am. Gusto nyo po initin namin?
Ako: Ha? Kung meron nga akong baong kanin, iiinit nyo nga?
Barista: (Nakangiti pa rin) Opo ma’am basta wag lang po bagoong ang ulam.

Hala! Nakahanap ako ng katapat!

Material World

Hay naku, naglalaway talaga ako sa DSC-W100. Bagong digital camera ng Sony. 8.1 megapixels! Obviously mahal, beyond what I can afford kaya eto, hanggang paglalaway na lang ako. OK na sana sa akin ang lahat ng features except its price.

Nagresearch na ako tungkol sa camera na yan. Mukhang karapat dapat nga syang paglawayan.

Ayan, nafrustrate na naman ang dukha.

* * *

Alam ko, marami pang mahahalagang bagay sa mundo na di mabibili ng pera pero minsan, inaatake ako ng pagaka materialistic ko. Tao lang. (hah, pinaka-convenient na excuse!)

Nahalungkat ko ang listahang ginawa ko noon tungkol sa mga bagay na madalas kong bilhin o “i-stalk” (masyadong weak ang “window shop”) sa mga tindahan.

Eto na nga.

1. Earphones - Hindi naman ako ganoon ka-adik sa music but for some reason, may fascination ako sa earphones.
2. Pens - Umm dahil writer ako kuno?! Tambay ako ng National Bookstore nung bata pa lang ako dahil I take time to choose my pen.
3. Lamps, flashlights, nightlights, glow-in-the-dark stuff - Adik ako sa mga bagay na umiilaw—mga bagay na nagpapatibay sa teyoriya ko na dati akong gamugamo.
4. Movies or TV series (VCD/DVD) - Gusto kong mapanood ang mga gusto kong mapanood kung kelan ko gusto. Gets?
5. Books - Hindi ko sila kailangang basahin. Gusto ko lang silang bilhin!
6. Shoes and bags - Given naman ito. Hello? Babae rin ako…minsan.
7. Gadgets (camera, tripod, memory card/stick, computer, mp3 player—ayoko ng iPod, etc.) - Ako yata ang pinaka-techie sa lahat ng mga technophobe.
8. T-shirts - Kung kasya lang sa akin lahat ng t-shirt na nagugustuhan ko, mapupuno ko ng t-shirt ang cabinet ko. Sana lang pwede sila sa formal occasions. I don’t think matutuwa si ate kapag naka t-shirt ang maid-of-honor nya.
9. Sunglasses/eyeglasses - Maganda e. Kung carry ko lang, bibilhin ko na yung psychedelic frame dun sa Executive Optical. Kaso may pagkakaiba ang kaya kong i-sport sa kaya kong i-appreciate.
10. Socks - Pati ba naman socks di basta basta nagkakasya sa akin?!? Bakit ba feeling ng mga garment factories na big people are no fun? Mas masaya pa nga kami kasi kami, kinakain namin LAHAT ng gusto namin nang di kailangang sumusuka nang sapilitan. Balik sa socks, lumalaki na ang aking koleksyon. Kagabi lang may nadagdag na dalawa. Hehe.
* * *

Kaya ako naghihirap. Madami kasing temptations out there. Weird pa naman sa akin, kapag nakakaramdam ng poverty, mas gusto kong magbibibili. If only to mock the guys inside my wallet.

Ang sarap sabihan na, “Kala nyo patatagalin ko kayo sa wallet ko?! Kala nyo matagal tayong magtitigan? Lalo na kayong tatlo. Hmp!”

Teka, come to think of it, wala pa yatang naging occupant na P1000 bill ang wallet ko. So nag-iimbento lang ako.

* * *

Mali talaga tong ginagawa kong code switching. Technical term yon para sa mas kilalang “Taglish.” At alam nyo bang there’s such a thing as “Engalog?” Pinag-aaralan yan DAPAT ng mga Comm Arts.

Anyway, goal ko kasing magsulat sa Filipino ngayong buwan na ito bilang paggunita sa Linggo ng wika at birthday gift na rin kay former President Manuel L. Quezon na tisoy na tisoy (Check out your bente pesos!). Sana’y mapatawad nya ang aking paglalapastangan sa ating pambansang wika.

Hayaan nyo't pagbubutihin ko next time.

COMMENT

Fellow writer, fellow comic, fellow floater... Gusto ko rin lahat ng nasa list mo. At tulad mo, awan te kwarta para mabili yung mga ito. At sa question mo; iba't iba, isa't isa --- Wag ka nang makulit. Walang hypen yung mga yan. =)
Posted by: Badger Addict | August 5, 2006 05:51 AM

Alone and Unwinding the Road

I went bowling alone yesterday. Yep, I had one lane all to myself! That and the 20 balls for one game. I’m getting good at doing things by myself nowadays. Proof that I have been withdrawing from the company of people. Not very hard to do when the people you count on to be there are always umm, uh inaccessible. (Why do I talk in fragments?)

It’s either they are doing something else, shocked from the very short notice, suffering an economic slump of sorts, not interested—all those crap I’m tired of hearing from friends. It makes me wonder if I really lack the ability and patience to understand them or if I simply need to start screening and hiring a new set of friends—those who can be there. (Do I sound hurt enough? Will the people concerned hear my “sound”?)

I refuse to believe that my so-called friends are avoiding me. Why should they? I am a walking form of entertainment. The way things are going in our country, even laughter is a commodity. I am confident that I can provide laughs for free without anyone having to get drunk. Way to go! Three units of advertising class and this is how I sell myself. I must have reeeallly learned something from THAT instructor! (God bless her!)

Anyway, doing things on my own is better than postponing my impulsively planned activities for , Oh I don’t know, days, weeks, months—depending on when I am going to be able to drag someone free and willing. (I have to say something inside a parenthesis. This is it.)

The thing is I’d rather do things by myself than wait. Because I know for an almost fact that GODOT, more often than not, does not come. (Fragment intended)

COMMENTS

who was that instructor?! just curious! haha!
Posted by: Jea | July 28, 2006 05:05 AM

Haha. Jea, I bet hindi mo rin sya nalilimutan! Sabay sabay nating sambitin ng dalawang beses ang syllable...
Posted by: Tyrene | July 28, 2006 04:35 PM

Anong syllable??? Ano nga ba name ng instructor na yun? I seem to have suffered an amnesia after reading Tye's blog. Being alone is not equivalent to being lonely... HOY TYE!!! NANDITO LANG AKO!!! Nanggugulo sa mundo ng ibang tao. HaHaHa!
Posted by: Badger Addict | August 5, 2006 05:55 AM

hala tye,
laganap na ang alone-ness syndrome. yan din ang trips ko ngayon, ayoko na ng masyadong human contact. alone manood ng sine, kumain ng sushi, alone din mag yosi sa park, alone, alone, alone.
the weird thing is, i like it.
ha.
Posted by: Nikka | August 5, 2006 08:09 AM

Superman's Two Hour Return

Superman is gone. He has been gone since astronauts discovered what may be remains of the planet Krypton.

Enter Lex Luther sitting on the death bed of his very old yet very rich wife. He must have done great things for her. She leaves him with all her wealth then dies. Now we have the perfect villain: evil and rich.

Back in Smallville, old Martha looks up in the sky after a quick earth shake and what does she see? Not a bird, not a plane, but a meteorite. She drives to the scene of the crash and there she finds her son. Clark has returned from his outer-space expedition.

This is how Superman Returns starts—a bit slow especially for audiences who have been dying to see the Man of Steel on the silver screen again. The long Superman cinema hiatus is the best teaser for this century’s Superman production. And since we are in the 21st century, the expectations for Superman have soared higher than even the late Christopher Reeve flew back in 1978.

His was a tough shoes to fill. Thank God for Brandon Routh who looks like Reeve, smiles like Reeve and even talks like Reeve. He is the perfect Superman, too perfect that most of the time he looks surreal. By surreal, I mean “cartoonish.” Even his nape does not appear human—or alien, for that matter—but like a computer generated image (CGI) of Superman’s nape.

With the magic of technology, the movie makers were able to retain Marlon Brando as Jor-El. The images of Superman’s biological father taken in 1978 were successfully incorporated in today’s movie. Ten points for that.

It is said that Superman Returns contains 1,400 visual effect shots. Now, the perfect visual effect is one which does not look like it has been digitally manipulated. It has to blend seamlessly with the human actors and with nature as the backdrop. Superman Returns went to the other end of the VFX line. What could have been the amazing Superman shots of the 21st century ended up as an elaborate display of a series of computerized 3D animation.

There would not be any problems if the movie was packaged as a two-hour long animated feature. Obviously, that is not the case. The production hired Brandon Routh as Superman, hence the viewers expected to see Brandon Routh fly, not the cartoon him.

Such is the downfall of The Hulk. Moviegoers refused to watch an oversized, green Eric Bana cartoon on screen, thus The Hulk’s box office failure. Even in the era of advanced computer animation, people remain partial to seeing their kind do the impossible on screen. Hollywood must therefore be careful not to overdo technology especially since present day audience still obtain a certain kind of human satisfaction in witnessing a real person display the superhuman traits they only dreamt of possessing ever since they were children.


Lex Luther being one of the main ingredients to the Superman film complicates the plot with his insatiable greed. Just like the Gene Hackman Lex, the Kevin Spacey Lex is into land acquisition. With his genius, he explores crazy ways to get his land—the key to more wealth and power.

Kevin Spacey is no Gene Hackman but he sure can portray Lex Luther brilliantly. You will hate him for his sinister smile, abhor him further for beating up our hero, then mentally strangle him for sticking a sharp piece of radioactive kryptonite on Superman’s back, twice. You wish him dead for the disaster he has caused Metropolis, but what do you know? He survives! And he winds up marooned in a tropical island which has the potentials of paradise.



Apparently, Lex Luther is not the only one who is not too thrilled with Superman’s return. Lois Lane, who is now a mommy (guess who’s the daddy?) and is engaged to Perry White’s nephew, Richard, is less than enthusiastic to see the Man of Steel despite the fact that his comeback save involves her. Her Pulitzer Price winning article, “Why World Does Not Need Superman,” may explain her hostility to Superman’s arrival but not her excessive bitterness towards Superman’s untimely and unannounced take off.

Later we discover Lois’ reasons—why she is done with Superman after she has “done” him. Apparently, Lois’ other article, “I spent the Night with Superman” was not just about a night of wholesome interview with the Man of Steel. Both Lois and Superman, despite their busy schedules, managed to get it on in the past—if you know what I mean.

If Brandon Routh is very similar to Christopher Reeve, if not Reeve’s reincarnate, Kate Bosworth is nothing like Margot Kidder. The Margot Kidder Lois we saw years ago was mature, physically a mess, and extremely curious and smart. She did not give a damn how she looked for as long as she gets her story. She was a bit clumsy too, making her a perfect match for Clark.


The Kate Bosworth Lois is more poised, pretty, and in control. She rolls inside a crazily crashing plane and gets up with picture-perfect hair. She is a bit young to become a mother of a four to five year old boy. She is too good-looking to be smart that even after sleeping with Superman (I assume Superman took off his clothes then) and after seeing Superman minus his suit lay still on the hospital bed, she never observed any resemblance between Superman and Clark. And did I say that as far as Lois is concerned, there are no sparks between Clark and her? Apparently, she is too absorbed with Superman that she doesn’t give a damn about Clark.

The movie cannot go wrong with the tried and tested Messiah archetype it maintains. People bought it then, people will most definitely buy it now. With further promotions, Superman can grow more popular than Jesus Christ—not a funny thought but absolutely possible.

The new twist introduced in the form of Jason, Lois’ son, is the risk the movie makers choose to gamble with. It was unexpected alright but still a good thing. At least the viewers will have something to talk about after they step out of the theater.

If you ask me, the Jason twist is a lot 2006ish. Our day and age is the perfect time to assign Superman an offspring. (Oops, I blew the surprise!) Besides, after the Da Vinci Code, we can handle any hero having kids, right? I wonder if the fools who opposed the Da Vinci Code loved Superman Returns.

Personally, I liked the movie but I cannot say that I loved it entirely. Superman has a very commanding effect that, for some reason, makes me want to cry. Therefore by default, the movie has won me.

I know that Superman is very much American but I have to admit, we, Filipinos, do not have a hero that measures up to his strength and fame. Come on, Captain Barbell is no match to Superman! And I bet that even Captain Barbell himself took a day off just to catch the Man of Steel—in I-max theater. Besides, if Captain Barbell is good enough, Superman would not have flown to Manila to save the Filipino day.

On the other hand, I adhere to old school movie-making where the real actors or at least their stunt doubles play their part. Even if I am a bit of a techie, I yawn at animated actors (although I applaud their animators). The young Clark celebrating his special abilities in the cornfield and other scenes to that effect may have been a big leap for silver screen technology but, sad to say, it is a step back for actors who choose to show off their acting skills using their limbs, vocal cords and facial muscles. This factor prevents me from totally loving the film. Call me old-fashioned and paranoid but I really dread the day when CGI’s take over Hollywood-–the day when science gobble up the arts.

COMMENTS

Hi Tyrene
How r u? Ang galing mo mag sulat :) :) Are you a writer by profession? I saw your article in Friendster and I was interested to read coz I loved the movie. Actually I would like to see it again in an IMAX theater. I kept reading on coz I loved how you wrote your thoughts on the movie. Ang galing! Hope to bump into you someday...
Take care,
Therese
Posted by: Rizzie | July 2, 2006 03:40 PM

CGI stunt men ?
the same poor cheat from Warner Brothers.
the same movie outfit who gave us CGI Neo in the burly brawl with multiple Agent Smiths in Matrix Reload.
you'd think they'd have learned by now.
makes you appreciate Shaider flying via strings on a crane machine a little bit more, huh? :P
Posted by: Poli | July 5, 2006 08:57 AM

Lois IS too dumb to notice the resemblance between the man she loves and the man she can't see she loves. Ehrm... I'm not making any sense here, am I? And after the night they shared, Superman had to kiss her (if my amnesia is not kicking up again, I might be right) so she's forget everything that happened. HaHaHa! I'm inventing stories na ba? Basta. Brandon Routh is a Fafa. I pretty much didn't care about Lois. =)
Posted by: Badger Addict | August 5, 2006 06:01 AM

Why Do I?

I think I’m on the verge of some testosterone overload. Don’t get your hopes up. There’s nothing sexual about my first statement.

It’s just that I am presently kind of trapped with my dad and three brothers. It’s been more than a month since my sister left for the country she now serves and it’s been two weeks since my mom flew south of the country I serve. I don’t know. The women in my family seem to be leaving us, men.

See? Testosterone overload.

I can humor you all night about living with two men and two boys, yet it will not solve what this situation may do to me. We do not have sufficient proof that I have enough XX chromosomes to keep me, well, female. I worry that if mom doesn’t come back soon, I might grow a mustache, a beard, or both.

* * *

If you read me regularly, you might notice how actively I have been blogging lately. It is a good sign. It means I am writing again. And I have conquered constipation. Then again, it means I have been withdrawing myself from society and spending more time in front of a PC. Now that is not at all healthy (not only for my social life but also for our electric bill).

Sometimes I wonder why I do this. Why I maintain a blog? Why I document the things that happen to me? Why I come up with movie reviews? Why I talk to myself in case no one reads me?

For one, there are some people I do not see or talk to as often as I did before whom I want to update about me. My sister, for example. We used to talk a lot or seem to talk a lot. Now, we are lucky if we communicate at least once a week. By communicate I mean share trivial things—our day’s highs and lows—not discuss business. I know she’s always out there stuck with her laptop. I might as well entertain her on how I have been wasting my life if and when she goes online.

Another reason maybe is to save myself from bursting. I have to unload my thoughts somewhere, otherwise I will lack more sleep than I do now. I refuse to become a full-time zombie. Probably once or twice a week is fine, but 24/7? I don’t think so. Besides this is the best way I can practice what I have stayed in college for four and a half years.

The final and most sentimental reason has something to do with remembering and sharing. I think that events and thoughts are too good to forget or to keep to oneself. With this blog, I feel secured that I will be able to remember and share.

* * *

Speaking of, I have another anecdote to tell. I was walking on the way home (why do I sense a grammatical error there?) when I passed by a little girl who was coaching a younger sibling on how to talk. Anyway I caught her saying “teacher” as she was looking at me. I glanced back at her only to witness her next words, “sabihin mo teacher.” (She gestures at me like she were certain that I am a teacher.)

I released an incredulous and disappointed, high-pitched “ahh” which I think scared the poor girl. Yes there is nothing wrong about looking like a teacher. If you are a teacher.

I am not.

So don’t ask me why I hate my uniform!

* * *

I have got to do something about talking to myself aloud in public to avoid scaring not just kids but people in general.

Once while aimlessly walking around a mall, I heard a guy singing or, more precisely, desecrating U2’s With or Without You in one of those gadget shops selling Magic Sing. I couldn’t stop myself from laughing aloud and from saying, “you have got to be kidding me” like I were talking to someone with flesh and bones standing beside me. I wonder how many people think I am a schizo by now.

Back in college while I was ascending the stairs leading to the humanities department, I received a text message from a creepy classmate. In 160 characters or less, he tried to profess his “infatuation” towards me. (Note: The dictionary meaning of infatuation, as it turns out, is “foolish and usually extravagant short-lived passion or love or admiration.” Yikes!)

My instant response to the said stimulus was a loud “#&*^_@ +$\! (profanity in Filipino) Sabi ko na nga ba di ako dapat nag-pipink!”

Yes I was wearing a pink shirt that day.

* * *

I know I am not the prettiest entity with boobs so I do not have the right to be extremely mean to men. However I, more often than not, could not help it.

Take this (exact) message from an aspiring anonymous texter who thought I was a moron not to have an idea who he is. By the way, I am publishing his real mobile number. I'm trying to enjoy this the best way possible.

09274489689: Hello good morning! How r u have a nice day hope that God is alway their for u pwede po bang makipagkaibigan ako pala si Romeo single Tyeren din ba pangalan mo

My reply: Sori, dnt lyk dumb ppl. Ur 4x guilty: 1.Romeo-such lame alias! 2.Tyeren-wrong spelng 3.Horrendous grammar 4.4 thinking Id txt bak after this. Nice try. Gud day.

Who says being mean isn’t fun?

COMMENTS

it is one of the funnest fun things there are!
Posted by: Poli | June 25, 2006 08:29 AM

Teacher. It's better being called a teacher even if you're not one than being asked at a bookstore if the bookstore sells this type of paper because the stupid woman didn't see that the bookstore's employees' uniform is different from the f*cking uniform you are wearing which your damn office required you to wear because they feel harrased whenever you dress in corporate attire knowing that you are the sexiest and youngest employee in your workplace. =)
Posted by: Badger Addict | August 5, 2006 06:05 AM

Lost…aren’t we all? (Part 2)

Sometimes, clouded emotions can help us find our way towards things we would not have found if we weren’t…sort of lost.

An example is how one disappointing afternoon at home led to a fun solitary time at the movies, specifically, the Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveroz movie.

This calls for a review on the said film which I may call, Ang Pagbibinata ni Ping Medina. (You will soon find out that this title does not have anything to do with my piece.)

So here goes:

The problem with non-commercial films is their deficiency in visual spectacle only expensive technology can provide. And we all know that visual spectacle is the in thing today, thus the abundance of the telefantasia genre. Just as expected, Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveroz came short of such pop flavor. It even lost some more points for its far from perfect technical make up. There were slight inconsistencies in the quality of moving pictures which were supposed to show one scene taken from different angles. One angle shot had normal lighting while the other appeared too warm and yellow. Then there’s that loud background music, not to mention noise, which was almost always on the verge of drowning the characters’ dialogues.

However, the movie was able to get away with these shortcomings. Its being a non-commercial film alone frees it from all the enumerated faults, leaving us with its story and its acters to discuss. (Blogger’s note: The use of “acters” is intentional. It is the nonsexist way of addressing people engaged in such occupation.)Then again the movie is set in the slums, probably the last place we’ll expect anything spectacularly grand and grandly spectacular.

Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveroz is based on a plot that is expected from any independent film--one that explores the life of an ordinary person and one with social relevance. And in the tradition of the said genre, it always helps to throw in poverty to make the whole thing work. But as I have said, the film pulled it off no matter how I seem to be trying to imply that it is just some independent film cliché. Perhaps its redeeming value lies on the build up of its characters.

For one, it revolves around the lead character, Maximo, otherwise called Maxi, a preteen gay from the slums. Let it be said that, although Maximo’s gender leans towards the alanganin side, he was portrayed with dignity. His family, composed of three men and him, loved him so much and showed no signs of indifference towards his preferred lifestyle. Then there’s his dad, Paco who snatches mobile phones for a living. And although he steals, he tries to raise his children with the few remaining values he knows. However he fails with Boy, Maximo’s eldest brother. Boy seemed to have already been corrupted by the life he was born into and commits a murder. On the other hand, the second brother, Bogs (played by Ping Medina), learns to live with life in the slums better than the other kuya. He is the typical astig istambay who sidelines as a jueteng kubrador. It was clearly shown that there is sweetness in his roughness which makes him the second most loveable character in the movie, next to Maximo.

Another character in the movie is Victor Perez, the cop who captures the heart of young Maximo. We see him struggle in the perverted world of men with badges, he hangs out with the wrong “mentor” and guess who he helps kill in the end? (That I will not tell.)

The movie deserves credit for creating three dimensional characters, the opposite of which is the downfall of majority of commercial Filipino films these days. The characters actions do have a basis. There are reasons behind their behavior and those reasons were clearly shown in the film. There’s nothing complex about the movie much like life in the slums--it’s too simple that it sees no rules or laws to follow.

For an hour and a few minutes, the film successfully draws us to a world which exists in real life, the world of Maximo Oliveroz, the little boy who was loved and in return knew how to love.


* * *This is the review I promised Ms. Lala that has been long overdue and has been