Sine Gabay

A Film Study Guide

Nick Deocampo

• Publisher: Anvil Publishing, Inc.
• eBook ISBN: 9786214201792
• Topic: Media & Performing Arts
• Subtopic: Film & Video

Sine Gabay contains a compilation of 100 Filipino films that Deocampo had featured in his numerous film screenings and lectures. Included are titles of classic feature-length films like Bata, Bata... Paano Ka Ginawa?, Burlesk Queen, Himala, and Oro, Plata, Mata, as well as documentaries, animation, experimental films, and even propaganda movies. The book serves as an excellent teaching module containing valuable lessons and informational data about the chosen films. Listed inside are the films' synopses, filmography, audience suitability and MTRCB ratings, recommended study areas, guide questions, and a valuable resource of contacts where to rent, purchase, or borrow viewing copies.

ALPHABETICAL FILM LIST

ABAKADA INA 2001/ 35mm/ Color/ 108 mins/ Feature Length D: Eddie Garcia; P: Viva Films; SC: Shaira Salvador, Ramon Bayron; St: Ramon Bayron Cast: Lorna Tolentino, Albert Martinez, Bobby Andrews, Nida Blanca, Matet de Leon

Synopsis:

Stella (played by Lorna Tolentino) is an illiterate mother who faces the challenge of sending her children to school. Her lack of education alienates her from her family including her mother-in-law (Nida Blanca) who, ironically, is a school principal. Even her husband (Albert Martinez) and her children begin to distance themselves bringing her family life into a crisis. As her husband turns irritable over her inability to better herself, the children begin to rebel over their mother’s lack of informed guidance over them. All this stress becomes more pronounced when they transfer to the city where they encounter more problems. Her eldest daughter gets emotionally involved with a classmate. Stella herself finds it hard to make ends meet despite her efforts to add to the meager salary her husband makes. When her family seeks help from her mother-in-law upon their return to the province, Stella only gets more frustrated. Knowing her lack of formal schooling has become an obstacle to herself. and her family, she becomes determined to seek education and redeem herself.

Recommended Subject Areas for Study:

Children & Young People, Education, Family, Values Education, Women

Audience Suitability:

High School level and above

MTRCB Rating: General Patronage

Objectives:

1. To know the importance of education;
2. To value family relations despite the handicap brought about by a lack of education.

Guide Questions:

1. On Education, Family, Values Education

The film vividly shows how a person lacking education (Stella) can be put in a disadvantageous position causing conflicts within herself and her family. Cite scenes where Stella runs into problems because she grew up illiterate. What trouble does she face after failing to give the right medicine to her sick child because she cannot read the medicine label?

At film’s end, Stella goes to school showing us the value of education. How does education contribute to a person’s development?

While the film shows the importance of formal education, it also presents how emotional intelligence (also referred to as a person’s emotional quotient or EQ) is a necessary component in the holistic growth of an individual. Discuss how one’s emotional quotient (EQ) complements a person’s intelligence quotient (IQ). How does Stella show her emotional intelligence to her family despite her lack of education?

Compare the tasks that mothers do to educate their children at home to the manner in which teachers educate students academically in school. Can you compare what lessons are taught in these two different situations and what are the means used by mothers compared to those used by teachers?

2. On Family

Stella tries her best to bring her family together despite the odds brought about by her lack of formal education. In what ways does she accomplish this? Why is the family important – to Stella, to you? When there is a crisis in your family, how does your family solve the problem?

Even if Stella has her own family, they still live with her mother-in-law. What problems are caused by this dependency? What advantages and drawbacks do you find in Filipinos living with extended families including their in-laws?

3. On Women

The film offers a wide range of personalities that go beyond female stereotypes often seen in commercial movies. For example, the illiterate Stella shows a Filipina seen in a less-than-ideal light. This is not often the case when women in commercial films are normally idealized and glamorized. What is the film’s intention in portraying Stella in such a way? Does the film achieve its intention? What problems are brought to light in depicting women realistically? Stella’s mother-in-law is also not typical. How is the role different from the ordinary portrayal of Filipino mothers-in-law? What about the pick-up girl that Stella meets in Manila – how different is she from other roles of prostitutes you’ve seen in local movies?

4. On Children & Young People

When families move from one place to another, family members often suffer from stress and disorientation. What happens to Stella’s family when it moves from the province to the city? Compare and contrast city life with life in the province.

As children, how do you cope with problems in your own family?

Cinematic Focus:

CHARACTER: This is a character-driven film. Much of the film’s meaning and significance may be taken from the development of Stella’s character especially in her decision to better herself.

Source: Kabayan Odyssey, Video City

Inquiries: CNC [[email protected]]

AGUILA 1980/ 35mm/ Color/ 208 mins/ Feature Length D/St/Sc: Eddie Romero; C: Mike de Leon, Rody Lacap; PD: Mel Chionglo; E: Ben Barcelon; M: Ryan Cayabyab; So: Rolly Ruta Cast: Fernando Poe, Jr., Amalia Fuentes, Christopher de Leon, Elizabeth Oropesa, Eddie Garcia, Jay Ilagan, Charo Santos, Sandy Andolong, Ricky Sandico, Daria Ramirez, Chanda Romero, Celia Rodriguez, Johnny Delgado, Ariel Muhlach

Synopsis:

Very few Filipino films take history as their subject and Eddie Romero is one of the few film directors who have mastered this genre. In this film, which he has written and directed, Romero takes the life of Daniel Aguila (played by Fernando Poe Jr.) and makes his story run through crucial periods of Philippine history. From the 1896 Philippine Revolution up to the militant student activities of the late 1960s until the early 1970s, Aguila’s personal history is woven into his country’s political narrative making the film a reflection of contemporary Philippine social history.

Recommended Subject Areas for Study:

Family, History, Nation/Nationalism, Society

Audience Suitability:

High School Level and above

MTRCB Rating: Parental Guidance – 13 years old

Objectives:

1. To value the family as the basic unit of Filipino society;
2. To see how a Filipino family reflects Philippine history.

Guide Questions:

1. On Family

The family is at the heart of Daniel Aguila’s story. Narrate how the film chronicles Aguila’s story from his boyhood to his old age. How does the family help shape Aguila’s values as a person?

Aguila is not a perfect person. He has his own limitations. In relation to his family, what are his failings? Does this make Aguila a more believable person and a more realistic character in the film? How does this affect your opinion regarding how a film’s “hero” is conventionally presented as an idealized personality? What is Aguila looking for in a f...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Half Title
• Title Page
• Copyright
• Contents
• Foreword
• Acknowledgment
• Introduction
• ALPHABETICAL FILM LIST
• APPENDICES
• REFERENCES