I watched "Sigwa" at the gala night last July 10 at the CCP Theater. The place was packed as the tickets were all sold out -- a reason to be in a festive mood during the cocktails.
The night was soaring with excitement with the presence of the movie's big cast of stars, Tirso Cruz III, Ms. Dawn Zulueta, Marvin Agustin, Megan Young, Lovie Poe, Ms. Gina Alajar, Allen Dizon (to name a few). And there to support were other super stars like Gloria Romero, Christopher de Leon, and Barbara Perez.
The movie started promptly at 9pm, and I was anxious in my seat, waiting to see what the movie is really all about. I was 4 years old when Martial Law was declared, and I innocently have no idea what the whole thing meant. We learned through school what Martial Law is and the injustices that happened with it. But to see a movie portraying its effects on real people, seeing through their eyes and sharing in their experience, is altogether a different kind of education.
I thank Pelita Uy and Carmela Honrado for inviting us to the gala. I salute Director Joel Lamangan and writer Boni Ilagan who did the film in such an interesting and compelling format. And kudos to the cast -- all did so well on their performance. The story, the format, the acting, the technical ... they were so effective that I had to take this chance to write about my insights on SIGWA.
My Insights...
No Difference...
A scene in the film made me reflect on a comparison between how it was before and how it is now. And to me, it didn't seem much different. I am particularly referring to the scene when the young Dolly was given a tour of a depressed area, and instantly I thought that must be Smokey Mountain. My good friend, Gem, seated next to me, even asked, "Was there a Smokey Mountain already before?" (So she was thinking the same thing.) I grew up thinking that life before was easier because our parents never had to deal with overpopulation as it is now, opportunities were plentier, and competition was not as stiff. But then I figure, social injustice was never a new issue to any generation. Even in Biblical times, poverty and gross injustice exist.
Origins...
The story reminded me of the time I watched Robin Hood, starred by Russel Crowe. While that movie showed the circumstances for the origins of Robin Hood and his men, Sigwa showed the circumstances for the rise and growth of the New People's Army in the Philippines. Martial Law catalyzed the movement.
The Horrors...
We have heard stories of how people hid during the 70's through the 80's for fear of "baka madampot sila." It's different when you just hear "i-to-torture ka kasi nila," than when you actually see how it was committed as portrayed in the film. Inexplicably inhumane to the utmost degree, it really pinched a nerve here and there as I watched the horrendous violation to human rights, more particularly to Lovi Poe in her character as Azon.
Of Life and Death...
When people are harshly judged by what is just "the obvious," people suffer or die needlessly.
To Agree or Not To Agree
More than a historical portrayal, the movie, Sigwa, is actually a personal story about the lives of six individuals whose fate brought them together, then apart, then together again for a short instance. It relayed the start of their friendship, the growth of their bond, the bitter experiences that led them apart, the events that shaped and changed their destinies, and consequently, the adult persons who they have become.
Each of their unique life stories brought them to different choices and decisions, and for some, to ultimate conflicts. A scene in the movie showed four of the main characters brought together by circumstance, and they confronted each other with their deeply rooted issues, both personal and political. None came to an agreement or compromise.
It is a reality that we cannot all agree on one particular idea, right? The question is, "How do we manage our differences?" And so avoid the chaos.
My Lessons...
After watching the movie, one may agree or not agree with one point of view here or there, but accepting a view is beyond what Sigwa has accomplished. It draws us to reflect on a more meaningful point that "Sigwa" would embed in one's heart, and that is "Love of Kapwa and Country."
The movie teaches us to empathize more on the hardships that our elders underwent to gain the freedom that we so enjoy, but, we also unwisely disregard, right now.
The movie teaches us to go beyond the obvious to avoid misjudgments.
The movie inspires us to be selfless in the spirit of truth.
The movie stirs a personal reflection on the importance of fairness to all.
The movie draws the spirit in us to love, "kapwa and country." Like the Good Samaritan in the Bible who showed what a "kapwa" (neighbor) really is. If that would be the drawing motivation for us to move and decide as we do... good governance is not an impossibility.
God Bless.
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