For the most part, Madawag ang Landas Patungong Pag-Asa
(New Sunrise Films, 2022) wobbles along while struggling to find a balance
between the more heartfelt story of Ara Lumawig (Rita Daniela) and other
characters central to the film and the determination of screenwriter Eric Ramos
to paint a convincing story of the issues plaguing small town educational
system and corruption. Madawag ang Landas Patungong Pag-Asa takes on a serious
topic, but fret not; the film is an absorbing, marvelously-acted piece of work
that entertains without ever feeling like a school assignment itself. Director
Joel C. Lamangan sees his characters as flawed people, but most of them are
also inherently good.There is no question which side the viewer is supposed to
be rooting for, though it helps that the protagonists are so easy to pull
for as underdogs trying with all their might to make a difference in their
children's and students' lives before it's too late. Ara's frustration leads
her to befriend Ka Ambo (Lou Veloso) and together with Father Caloy (Jim
Pebanco), they rescue a failing school and re-design it to foster effective
learning. Obviously, Ara's educational reform is opposed by corrupt public
official, Indang (Dorothy Gilmore). While it's a reasonable argument that Madawag
ang Landas Patungong Pag-Asa comes down pretty hard on its issues, Lamangan at
least makes a decent effort to provide some balance for the film. It's clear
that the real culprit here is the resistance to and fear of change, although it
would be impossible to deny that Lamangan paints Lou Veloso's Ka Ambo as a man
whose ideals remain uncorrupted over the years but, it's also acknowledged,
mostly through the character of Pebanco's Father Caloy. Madawag ang Landas Patungong Pag-Asa focuses on solving problems rather than
assigning blame. The failings of the education system in the Philippines, for
which there is plenty of blame to go around, are self-evident.
Madawag ang Landas Patungong Pag-Asa exploits an outrage that is experienced on a daily basis. But its clarion call is hampered by simplifications and distortions. The film’s heart is certainly in the right place not so, always, its head. But social-issue movies can have real societal impact. That’s why Madawag ang Landas Patungong Pag-Asa deserves to be taken seriously and criticized seriously on its own terms. Lamangan has beautifully cast the film with actors and actresses who take average material and turn it into an involving and entertaining film. Pebanco for the most part is remarkable as the town priest. He gives a heartfelt performance that makes you wish you'd have someone like him to help you get through life. The film is stolen, however, by Daniela's magnificent turn as Ara, a public school teacher struggling with issues in the classroom. Her body becomes a cinematic vessel of apathy, frustration, sadness, grief and determination. As young Betchay, Felixia Dizon is simply wonderful with a performance that exudes both the innocence of childhood and the tattered edges of a child. Albie Casiño, who plays Teddy is able to see both sides of the argument being presented in the film. Jak Roberto is fine as Lt. Randy Meneses, but the romantic subplot that forms between himself and Ara is a non-starter that could have been excised with few changes made to the rest of the narrative even though it places them in an almost entirely predictable story outline. Lamangan proved that he's gifted at directing young people and he's also able to make complex subject matter accessible for a wider audience. Every aspect of a picture works in tandem to create a complete whole. Lamamgan does simplify the issues here, but he doesn't dumb them down. Madawag ang Landas Patungong Pag-Asa leaves a lasting impact because Lamangan beautifully weaves compelling characters into an intelligent and thought-provoking film that will tap into both your heart and mind.
Screenplay: Eric Ramos
Director of Photography: T.M. Malones
Editing: Gilbert Obispo
Production Design: Jay Custodio
Music: Von de Guzman
Sound: Christopher Mendoza
Direction: Joel C. Lamangan
