 |
| Kaming Matatapang Ang Apog |
As the stereotype of Filipino comedy, the gullible underdog who is the butt of jibes and the victim of unfortunate circumstances, Dolphy is the target of much of the audience's laughter, but earns their sympathy all the way. I laughed at many of the jokes and the film makes me surer than ever that Nora Aunor is an excellent comedienne and that Fernando has an uncanny understanding of what makes the audience laugh. The veteran comedians composed of Pugo, Chichay, Babalu and Teroy de Guzman have had so many occasions to work together that they know each other's acting technique quite well. This familiarity is essential for comedy to achieve perfect timing and the appearance of spontaneity. Fortunately, in Kaming Matatapang Ang Apog, Ading Fernando is not content to whip up a mere frothy dish of humor. He unobtrusively injects a fair amount of social commentary to lend substance to the film. He zeroes in on some idealized Filipino practices. In Urbano's (Dolphy) quest to win Poinciana's (Aunor) love, he resorts to the hallowed practice of panunuyo and pamanhikan. These traditions are often romanticized in films, but Fernando chooses to focus on the greed and exploitation that are often attached to these traditions. The rendition is still designed to evoke laughter, but the potshots hit the marks savagely. In numerous films, Dolphy has demonstrated a solid grasp of the way of life of his legions. Often, his comic insights carry him close to the borderline of tragedy, where all true comic art belongs. But in Kaming Matatapang Ang Apog, Dolphy comes to us with no new insight, with only his talent as a comic. The talent is undeniably a great one. As a comedian, Dolphy has managed to escape the trap of sentimentality, an abyss which has claimed even the redoubtable Jack Lemmon. After all there are far too many imitations of Dolphy for Dolphy to turn himself into one.
Screenplay And Direction: Ading Fernando
Director Of Photography: Manuel Bulotano
Music: Dominic Salustiano
Film Editor: Efren Jarlego
Produced By: RVQ Productions
Release Date: September 17, 1976
12:28 AM
Hi Jojo,
Another excellent review. As usual I am not familiar with this movie, but, Ading Fernando sounds familiar. Is he the one who directed "John and Marsha", the TV sitcom?
Regards,
RSE
5:54 AM
Hello Ron!
Ading Fernando was indeed the comic genius behind John & Marsha and many of Dolphy's movies. He also played the role of Daddy Groovy in Duplex opposite Marissa Delgado. Kaming Matatapang Ang Apog was declared by writer / poet Pete Lacaba as the best comedy film of 1975...
7:12 AM
Hi Jojo,
I forgot to mention that the film looks funnny just basing on the screen captures that you included and seeing comic veterans like Pugo and Chichay!
BTW I couldn't find my Gabun VCD. I don't know where Aye put it. I'll keep on looking and will post once I manage to see it.
Regards,
RSE
7:20 AM
It is a funny movie Ron... There were also a handful of comedic cameos by Panchito, Babalu, Tange, Dencio Padilla, Teroy de Guzman and Moody Diaz among many others. The musical numbers are entertaining as well...
Hope you find Gabun very soon. I'm eager to read what you think about the it.
12:23 PM
Hi Jojo!
I've been meaning to see this film eversince you told me how you enjoyed Kaming Matatapang very much. Good thing someone posted the whole movie (in parts actually) via Youtube and was I glad to have spent watching it (albeit a very small screen). Hopefully this will be released in the market.
At first, I was disheartened by its poor audio but I stick with it.
The screencaps alone (that you choose) is worth checking out the film. Don't get me wrong but the look of Nora in the uppermost right portion is priceless! The gags were also timeless. You know you've seen them before a million times but still you find yourself laughing your heart out. Plus the hearttugging moment before the movie ends is one for the book.
There's even shades of A Star Is Born in the storyline if I may say so.
The strong support of Chichay ("Hindi ba ikaw si Patsi?" haha.) and Pugo not enlivens the scenes they were in but give credence to the whole film. There's even a handful of much-welcome cameos the likes of Panchito, Teroy De Guzman, et al. I like Panchito, Dolphy and Pugo's scene the most in the hospital. Imagine using Pugo's bald head as mirror! Panchito's so effortless. Dolphy just can't help but laughed at the background while Panchito is doing his thing.
Two titans in Philippine cinema in a movie together, do I need to say more?
12:57 PM
Hello Dennis!
The Dolphy-Nora team-up was much anticipated by the entire industry and the end result was Kaming Matatapang Ang Apog. I see the film as a satire on the FIlipino film industry. Ading Fernando's direction truly made the film funnier than it was meant to be. The comic scenes were sharply written although it cannot help but succumb to toilet humor at times.
One would think that Patsy would be cast alongside Pugo, Chichay nevertheless delivers more than what's expected of her. Watching the four of them in a scene is priceless. Nora was lucky to have worked with the greats and I would consider Ading Fernando as the one of comedy's greatest writer / director and occasional actor. Did you know that he was Dely Atay-Atayan's brother in real life?
In as much as Jack N Jill Of The Third Kind, their follow-up movie together was funny, it did not duplicate the accomplishment of Kaming Matatapang Ang Apog in terms of critical and box-office success.
12:50 AM
Good thing their first team-up was very successful. Helmed by the late Ading Fernando made it mpre special.
Yes, Pugo and Patsy is another tandem to beat but I agree, Chichay gave her all in this movie. The very first scene of her with Nora when the latter broke their amo's vase and Chichay said "alam ko vase 'yah eh' had me in fits. And then Nora followalso says "O luma na naman pala eh. Haha.
Yes, I know that Ading and Dely were siblings. I think it was mentioned in Ang Pinaka before. Thank God at least I know some pinoy film trivia hehe.
I still like their follow-up Jack And Jill although not as original as Kaming Matatapang. They were in top form during those times.
5:37 AM
It was a special movie indeed, Dennis...
Favorite kong scene ni Chichay yung nagnanakaw siya ng pagkain sa barko which have been done many times in comedies pero hindi corny ang execution.
I also liked Jack N Jill Of The Third Kind. It was the top grossing film of the 1978 MMFF. Mas maganda lang sana kung iniba nila ang istorya...
10:12 AM
I found my Gabun VCD. Will watch it tonight.
11:07 AM
That's great Ron! Please post your thoughts on the movie here...
12:59 AM
Yes, that scene wa also funny. Walang effort-effort magpatawa!
Wishful thinking but someday hopefully both Kaming and Jack & Jill will be released on video as Dolphy/Nora Retrospective.
1:51 AM
It took RVQ quite sometime to sell the cable rights for all their films to Cinema One, hopefully it wouldn't take a long time to release them on video...
1:11 PM
Sana nga hehe...
1:56 PM
That's if RVQ is interested in releasing their movies on home video...