Love Comes Down In PANAKIP-BUTAS

Posted by Jojo Devera , Labels: , , , , , ,

Panakip-Butas
At the outset, Panakip-Butas (Regal Films, Inc.) seemed to have succeeded in its light-hearted summoning of the unconventional pairing between two unlikely people but gradually failed in constructing a vigorous frame of values underlying such relationships. Falling into the trap of characterization weak at that, the film tentatively skimmed the contexts that give rise to these relationships and ultimately lost the potential inherent in romantic comedy to negotiate and respond dynamically to the issues and preoccupations of its times. In turns hilarious and sentimental, Panakip-Butas started with promise. Honesta's (Nora Aunor) antics were heart-warming and funny but wore off by the time the film reached its mid-hour stride. Alexander (Hajji Alejandro) is a singer whose vulnerability is cushioned by his fans' adoring presence. His skeptical attitude to romantic relationships is his armor. Alexander, after all, won't be subject to the demands of a romantic attachment. Honesta, on the other hand faces her hurdles with humor, weighing her dilemmas with pensive introspection. But when we find Honesta and Alexander in conversations grappling with their predicaments, why do they seem unconvincing?

Director Romy Suzara wisely centers Panakip-Butas around Hajji Alejandro's songs. Alejandro's strong voice makes up for the film's weakness. The songs, in other words, make the film worth watching. No one seriously expects Hajji Alejandro to be a great actor. Thus, I wasn't disappointed with the level of acting he manages throughout the film. Limiting himself to thoughtful facial expressions, Alejandro lends a certain credibility to his role, a womanizing singer obsessed with his career. Nevertheless, it should be pointed out that with a more experienced actor, the role could have been played with more warmth, vitality and humor. Instead of merely being serious all the time, another actor could have created a full person, not just a singer. Nora Aunor fills out the character of Honesta convincingly, in turns adept as the matter-of-fact wryly humorous president of Alexander's fan club. The supporting performances are strong, as expected of a Suzara film. Trixia Gomez steals the show several times with her light-hearted portrait of Chona, Alexander's overzealous girlfriend.  She is particularly effective because she never allows herself to overdo her role. Similarly, Sandy Garcia is delightful as Andre, Alexander's assistant and confidante, especially in the earlier sequences. Brenda del Rio, despite a badly written role is impressive as the unpredictable Melinda. The final scene when Honesta and Alexander sang to each other in a manner fit for a love team's promotional duet in a weekend variety show sealed the film's fate. Much like Alexander, we waver between love and commitment but choose neither and bemoan the end of what may have been a potentially instructive romantic comedy.

Directed By: Romy Suzara
Screenplay: Toto Belano
Cinematography: Arnold Alvaro
Music: Ernani Cuenco
Film Editor: Ike Jarlego, Jr.
Produced By: Regal Films, Inc.
Release Date: August 12, 1977
Panakip Butas theme song performed by Hajji Alejandro

20 Response to "Love Comes Down In PANAKIP-BUTAS"

  1. Ronald Selorio says:
    12:39 AM

    Thanks Jojo for another excellently observed review!

  2. Dennis says:
    5:15 AM

    Hi Jojo!

    I like the opening of the movie, with Hajji singing the title theme of the movie while Nora watch him in awe as his number fan. Clearly, the stage has been set for this two unlikely souls who's bound to meet and fall in love eventually.

    There's nothing new here to offer still the selling point of the movie was Hajji's pairing with no less than Nora Aunor. And of course, his signature songs, hence, a motherload of his musical numbers peppered throughout the movie.

    I agree too that Sandy Garcia in the movie is a joy to watch. I somehow remember him in Swing It..Baby where he plays a spy/detective done of course in comedy.

    The ending is clearly for the fans.

    Interesting insights once again!

  3. Jojo Devera says:
    6:09 AM

    Thanks so much Ron... You probably haven't seen or heard about this movie, right?

  4. Jojo Devera says:
    6:21 AM

    The opening scene has been done so many times but what makes it different is Hajji's presence on stage when he performs. Bigay-hilig talaga siya sa pagkanta ng theme song. It's an unlikely pairing indeed! Who would think that they'll eventually fall for each other?

    I believe Nora and Hajji's pairing seemed awkward at first but surprisingly they pulled it off. Mas may chemistry sila on screen compared to her team-up with Rico J. Puno. The musical numbers compensated for the dramatic scenes between the two characters. It's also how they expressed their feelings for each other.

    Sandy Garcia is best in his scene with Brenda del Rio where he almost stole it from under her nose.

    Panakip-Butas would have been an excellent romantic comedy if not for its lack of characterization and motivation...

  5. Ronald Selorio says:
    6:35 AM

    Yep, I haven't heard of it. Didn't even know that Hajji Alejandro acted in a movie.

  6. Jojo Devera says:
    7:02 AM

    Why doesn't that surprise me?

    Panakip-Butas was Hajji Alejandro's big screen debut. He never made another movie since in spite of its box office success...

  7. Dennis says:
    8:26 PM

    I'm amused with your choice of words hehe, 'bigay-hilig'. I believe Hajji in the movie really is game doing almost his director tells him to do. He really has a presence in the movie.

    Haha...that was really funny too when Sandy's being bitchy when Brenda's around.

    Panakip-Butas focus more on Hajji's singing prowess which he really delivers in the beginning palang of the movie.

  8. Jojo Devera says:
    9:35 PM

    Romy Suzara was smart enough to let the songs take center stage. Nora and Hajji's singing compensated for the film's inferior screenplay.

    "Bigay-hilig"naman talaga si Hajji sa pagkanta most especially when he sang Tag-Araw, Tag-Ulan, in the rain. On the other hand, napaka-simple naman ng ginawang pagkanta ni Ate Guy, mostly naglalakad lang siya sa beach.

  9. Dennis says:
    7:11 PM

    Gusto ko ang timbre ng boses ni Hajji kaya masarap lalong mapanood ang pelikula. Hindi bumibirit.

    Thanks again for the insights Jojo!

  10. Jojo Devera says:
    7:54 PM

    I would assume na mas gusto mong singer si Hajji than Rico J. Puno na twice nakatambal ni Ate Guy sa pelikula...

  11. Dennis says:
    2:17 AM

    Yes, mas buo kasi para sa 'kin ang pagkakabigkas ng mga linya 'pag si Hajji at malamig pa pakinggan. Pero much better ang singers noon like Rico J. sa mga singers ngayon. I'd rather listen to old and reliable opm kesa ngayon.

  12. Jojo Devera says:
    2:47 AM

    I agree! And they are much better performers. They also did live performances in various night spots around Manila kung saan makikita ang rapport with their audience. Ibang-iba talaga ang mga singers noon...

  13. Dennis says:
    10:35 PM

    Ngayon mostly mall shows just to sell their albums! Bihira din akong tumingin sa mga latest cds ng singers ngayon dahil puro revival. Ilang beses nang nire-revive ang mga kantang hindi naman namamatay kahit kelan! Their cover version simply pales in comparison sa talagang nagpauso. Sobrang old-fashioned ako pagdating sa opm music.

  14. Jojo Devera says:
    7:26 AM

    Napansin ko nga na panay mall shows na lang personal appearances ng mga singers nowadays o kaya major concert in bigger venues. Dati kasi they would perform sa mga places like El Bodegon, Wells Fargo at iba pa. There's also a shortage of OPM music siguro dahil wala na yung mga mahuhusay na composers like George Canseco although Willy Cruz is still around, hindi na siya active.

  15. Dennis says:
    6:31 AM

    Wala na sa tingin ko ang 'intimate' connection between singers at audiences ngayon. kasi sa mall, kung sino sino puwede manood dahil automatic nang may tao, madali na lang magka-audience. Nababasa ko nga sa mga magazines nu'n how our singer would conduct singing engagements, hindi basta-basta. Nakakahinayang lang at sana may makuha man lang kahit katiting ang mga singers at composers ngayon sa mga katulad nila Willy Cruz, George Canseco at isa rin sa pinakagusto ko si Rey Valera.

  16. Jojo Devera says:
    6:48 AM

    Nakalimutan ko pala si Rey Valera... Libre lang kasi ang mga mall shows unlike before na talagang night out every time manonood ka ng show sa isang night club. Usually Friday and Saturday nights nagpe-perform ang mga sikat na singers and you'll be surprised jam-packed ang venue. I remember in the late 80's may show si Hajji sa Captain's Bar pero sa hindi ko napanood, we went to see the New Minstrels instead...

  17. Dennis says:
    11:01 AM

    Pagdating kay Rey Valera, kay Sharon ko agad siya naa-associate hanggang nalaman ko na lang later in years na ang dami pala niyang ginawang songs at score din sa Regal.

    Buti naka-experience ka ng ganyan Jojo. I bet kahit napunta kayo sa New Minstrels e pa rin enjoy kayo.

  18. Jojo Devera says:
    5:02 PM

    Kaibigan at kasosyo sa negosyo ng father ko yung isang member ng New Minstrels hanggang sa mapalitan ng Something Special ang pangalan ng kanilang singing group.

    I was very young then kaya hindi rin ako allowed inside those nite spots...

  19. Dennis says:
    10:00 AM

    I see. Glad to know that. Thanks again for the review!

  20. Jojo Devera says:
    11:48 AM

    Walang anuman Dennis!

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Karapatang Magpalathala 2006-2013. SARI-SARING SINENG PINOY Lahat Ng Karapatan Ay Nakalaan. Disenyo Jojo Devera