That would of course be tantamount to expecting Dostoyevskian rewards from a Mills And Boon pocketbook in fact, I'd go as far as conceding that a Mad Magazine feature would be closer ti the nature of May Daga Sa Labas Ng Lungga. But the mere fact that the discussion could initiate this level of polemics indicates that Danny Zialcita, Eddie Garcia and Ronaldo Valdez and by association contemporary Philippine motion picture comedy, might be going somewhere. Again this carries on where May Lamok Sa Loob Ng Kulambo left off, this time with the lesson more pronounced. What I mean is that, compared with most of Ronaldo Valdez's previous gay-persona outings, May Daga to begin with has a dangerously weak cast of supporting actors, no Amy Austria, Suzanne Gonzales not even Johnny Vicar in close range, just a bunch of well-meaning and congenial talents eager to do in their best but whose capabilities definitely fall outside Valdez's calibre. The risk Zialcita took in response to this limitation has paid off in most parts. In May Daga Sa Labas Ng Lungga , Ronaldo Valdez comes into his own definitive manner, fully capable and confident in getting away with even the worst conventions his specialized kind of craft can proffer. Shrewdly as it turned out, Zialcita built the movie's highlights on scenes intended to be carried by Valdez's character and in fact, allowed his star the bravura opportunity of creating a gay lead barely though riotously managing to impersonate Eddie Garcia's macho counterpart. I wonder how aware the filmmakers were of how close to marginal the movie's climax was. The incongruity is down right outrageous, but no one who has ever been moved, as I've sometimes been with all those endings in our comedies will fail to feel the almost reflective swell of emotion. On the other hand, if everything were deliberately done, at least as much as would be enough to hold up under this sort of scrutiny, then the movie couldn't have been as casual as it turned out to be.
Story, Screenplay & Direction: Danny L. Zialcita
Cinematographer: Felizardo Bailen
Music: Demet Velasquez
Editor: Nonoy Santillan
Production Design: Angelito Estacio
Produced By: Essex Films
Release Date: October 19, 1984
7:34 AM
Hi Jojo,
Another great post. How is "Daga" compared to the "Andres De Saya" series?
Regards,
RSE
9:17 AM
Hello Ron,
Thanks so much! May Daga Sa Labas Ng Lungga is the follow-up to the successful comedy May Lamok Sa Loob Ng Kulambo. It's much better than the Andres de Saya series. For one, the Eddie Garcia/Gloria Diaz team-up had perfect onscreen chemistry which cannot be said of her collaboration with Vic Vargas. Second, Danny Zialcita directed Lamok and Daga, together with his trademark witty dialogue and fun supporting cast makes both films more enjoyable to watch than any run of the mill comedies. Add Ronaldo Valdez to the mix playing a much more flambuoyant gay character than his earlier outings in Ang Kabiyak and Mahinhin Vs. Mahinhin and the result was one of the funniest comedies ever made.
1:06 AM
jojo,was Lyka Ugarte in this movie,and also Emil Sandoval? i both enjoyed Daga and Lamok when it was shown in 1984. and whenever i catch it on Cinema one,i always sit on it and still laugh,also with MgaParu-Parong Buking--hope you review that one as well.
9:14 AM
The Eddie-Gloria chemistry was perfect for the film, of course much credit goes to the direction and screenplay. I enjoyed both "Lamok" and "Daga" a well done sex-comedy that is really funny. The catchy score and themesong made the movie memorable too.
2:16 PM
Hi Dexter,
Yeah Lyka Ugarte and Emil Sandoval were also in the cast of May Daga sa Labas Ng Lungga. Since my review was more focused on Ronaldo Valdez' character, I decided not to include screencaptures of the other actors in the movie. Do they really show this on Cinema One? I haven't seen it shown here in North America. Both films Lamok and Daga are very funny even after several repeated viewings.
2:20 PM
The Eddie-Gloria chemistry also worked in the dramas they did for Danny Zialcita such as Palabra de Honor and Nagalit Ang Buwan Sa Haba Ng Gabi but it's these two movies that they really caught the moviegoers attention. Of course working from a script written and directed by Zialcita is what made these comedies really stand out among the rest. The theme song was sung by Jerry and Mandy who subsequently appeared in two other Zialcita movies Si Mister At Si Misis and Menudo at Pandesal.
2:24 AM
Zialcita was at his peak when he did this film. If only he could make a comeback and make again these kind of movies that will fill the gap now in Phil. Cinema.
2:22 PM
Like you I also miss the kind of movies he did. Zialcita's last film (the title of which escapes me) was horrible although the cast headed by Jaclyn Jose and Mark Gil gave inspired performances inspite of it being a rehash of Nagalit Ang Buwan Sa Haba Ng Gabi. I'm hoping that he'll make a comeback very soon.
5:56 PM
The title was PAANO ANG KAHAPON KUNG WALA NA ANG NGAYON or something like that......it was lambasted by the critics.
6:55 PM
That's right! The movie was a bad version of Nagalit Ang Buwan Sa Haba Ng Gabi with Jaclyn Jose in the Laurice Guillen role, Mark Gil playing Dindo Fernando's character and Christina Gonzales filling in for Gloria Diaz. What a waste!
7:01 PM
Jojo what happened with Danny Zialcita? Is he in the U.S. now?
7:04 PM
He's still in Manila... I guess when the right project comes along, he'll make a comeback which we'll be eagerly anticipating.
10:56 AM
Where can we purchase Danny Zialcita's films? I wish to have a collection of his memorable films. Thanks! - from Sherry
11:04 AM
There are some Danny Zialcita movies available on VCD and DVD. You can check out kabayancentral.com.
Thanks!