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| Wakwak |
We can only see the vestiges of war and the clouds of the coming wars. We see the victims, children and women left behind after bullets and fire ravage their homes, towns and men. We can only try to thickly describe the lives of those who are left behind to be able to make meanings of death, fear and pain. And those who have been swallowed by the rage of war who will forever be around merged with the everyday lives of those who remember their loss. Peque Gallaga and Lorenzo Reyes worked hard and has succeeded brilliantly in their journey in using the medium of film to expand his audience not only nationally but transitionally. The story can only be well articulated by Gallaga and Reyes as proven by Wakwak (Regal Films, Inc.). The narrative starts with the introduction of Sister Camille, a young novice (Janice de Belen) who tells her story. The deafening sounds of the wars they have survived have battered their spirits. The loud sounds of guns and grenades have kept the townsfolk almost resigned to a lifetime of fear and helplessness. War between the religious cult Sagrada Palabra and the military has devastated their community, its most telling casualty being the children and the nuns. The women and children suddenly felt there was hope with the coming of a group of soldiers led by Lt. Cary Altamonte (Richard Gomez). Wakwak's screenplay weaves together with realism and symbolism the many contradictions the war had imposed on the community.
Wakwak introduces the ensemble carefully crafting each of the characters that were used to propel the narrative. Richard Gomez performed very well almost naturally but with some convincing tension needed for the role of Lt. Cary Altamonte. Alice Dixson was certainly convincing in her role as Emily. Aiko Melendez created a three dimensional Laya, determined to escape from the clutches of her father, Sagrada Palabra leader Tatang Mundo cunningly played by Tito Arevalo. Edu Manzano was highly effective as journalist Jay Molina while Eric Quizon was outstanding as Pfc. Abner Bagtas. Janice de Belen as Sister Camille was a developing character having the most important change of heart that really pushed the narrative forward. Other actors Joey Marquez, Manilyn Reynes, Smokey Manaloto, Carmina Villaruel, Chuckie Dreyfuss and Isabel Granada blend with confidence with the rest of the performers. There is so much fluidity in the blocking of the characters and the film had the feeling of getting the rhythm, pace and tension of such an environment, of such a reality. The creative team deserves mention. Outstanding work from Cinematographer Eduardo Jacinto, Film Editor Augusto Salvador and soundtrack composer Dionisio Buencamino, Jr. must be noted and kudos to Regal Films for a job well done. The ending actually reminds us that Wakwak is a film and even if the filmmakers try to capture and remake what is existing, it still falls short of what is truly happening, the ravages of war remind us how precious lives are lost, and we wonder why in real life, we allow this to be.
Directed By: Peque Gallaga And Lorenzo A. Reyes
Screenplay By: Peque Gallaga, Don Escudero And Lorenzo A. Reyes
Director Of Photography: Eduardo Jacinto
Music: Dionisio Buencamino, Jr.
Editor: Augusto Salvador
Production Designed By: Don Escudero, Roy Lachica And Dennis Cid
Produced By: Regal Films, Inc.
Release Date: August 30, 1989
Directed By: Peque Gallaga And Lorenzo A. Reyes
Screenplay By: Peque Gallaga, Don Escudero And Lorenzo A. Reyes
Director Of Photography: Eduardo Jacinto
Music: Dionisio Buencamino, Jr.
Editor: Augusto Salvador
Production Designed By: Don Escudero, Roy Lachica And Dennis Cid
Produced By: Regal Films, Inc.
Release Date: August 30, 1989
10:50 AM
Hi Jojo,
I've seen this a long time ago as Isang Araw Walang Diyos. I remember liking it a lot. I remember it resonates Orapronobis a little bit...
P.S. - I hope that you're having a great day in your "special" day today.
Regards,
RSE
4:01 PM
Hi Ron!
Wakwak (Isang Araw Walang Diyos) is the only collaboration between Gallaga and Reyes that comes close to the artistic merits of Gallaga's critically acclaimed earlier films. Wakwak is an ensemble piece where each character helped move the narrative forward. I also think that Richard Gomez has given one of the best performances of his career in the film.
I had to work on my birthday, but nowadays who doesn't? All in all, I had a great birthday filled with warm wishes and greetings.
8:00 PM
This came out as the 80's was closing along with the outstanding films of 1989 particularly Bernal's PAHIRAM NG ISANG UMAGA, Brocka's ORAPRONOBIS, Perez' BILANGIN ANG MGA BITUIN SA LANGIT. And yes I agree with both of you, Jojo & Rse this is the best collaboration of Gallaga and Reyes.
Did you know that they used a double for Alice Dixson in this film?
5:42 PM
Did they really use a double for Alice Dixson? In what scenes? well, you'd know more since you're very close to Peque. Most of the film you mentioned were produced by regal with the exception of Orapronobis.
11:40 PM
Alice Dixson went to the U.S. without finishing her scenes. Would you believe that a male person was use as her double?! WAKWAK deserves to be seen on the big screen. It's a very different cinematic experience!
5:32 AM
It wasn't as obvious that they used a double for Alice Dixson in the film. Wakwak deserves to be on the big screen but a decent video transfer would've sufficed.
3:22 PM
Trust the tandem of Direk Peque & Direk Lore to deliver the goods! Yeah, it was not notice at all. Underrated here was Isabel Granada's subdued performance with no lines at all. Regal home video already released this film in the U.S. on dvd format, dont know how the video & audio transfer came out though.
5:28 PM
Isabel Granada was commendable in the film. Unfortunately, her role was overshadowed mostly by Tito Arevalo's overpowering performance as Tatang Mundo. I saw the Regal Home Video release and it seems to me like they just did a direct transfer. No effort was made to make this film worthy of a DVD release.
3:32 PM
I always mistake Tito Arevalo as Manny Ojeda, the patriarch in ORO PLATA MATA. Incidentally, Arevalo was the musical scorer of Gallaga's first film lost already in oblivion...BINHI.
10:09 AM
Hi Jojo! I remember seeing this at New Frontier and I don't know but in her short role, Manilyn Reynes as the blind girl was able to register that fear/tension especially towards the end when the bloodshed was going on. I also liked Janice' performance.