Cracking down on corruption
By Leah C. Salterio Updated November 27, 2008 12:00 AM |
When he made his directorial debut last year in Idol: Pag-asa ng Bayan, independent film megman Cesar Buendia delivered a simple, yet entertaining coming-of-age story about friendship, youth and high school life. The integral plot, however, revealed a serious message about dishonesty and presented a disturbing analysis of the culture of corruption in Philippine society.
In his sophomore directorial project, Cesar brings to the fore the actual corruption scenario with Padre de Pamilya, a moving drama about an ordinary government employee forced to engage in dishonest practice in an apparent effort to give his family a better life.
Produced with the Jesuit Communications and the National Commission on Culture and the Arts (NCCA), Padre de Pamilya mirrors the decay of society which unravels through the eyes of a teenage boy.
“I want to prove that films which are values-oriented can also make money,” maintains Cesar, who was a staunch student activist at the University of the Philippines during his college years. “As filmmakers, the gift we have is the use of the camera so we can focus on the important realities and emotions.”
Padre de Pamilya was filmed for only six days in Bustos, Bulacan, where the entire story revolves — in an old house of the Mirasol family, the church, the public school, municipal hall and even a makeshift TV station.
Ariel Rivera, who returns to the big screen this time in his first independent digital film, plays the lead in Padre de Pamilya. His last film was the critically-acclaimed Chito Roño drama, Bata, Bata, Paano Ka Ginawa, opposite Vilma Santos, shown 10 years ago.
Padre de Pamilya initially shows Ariel as Joselito Mirasol, an average rank-and-file government employee showing good values and foundation to his children, especially his eldest son, Edu (played by Cedric Jose), an outstanding and idealistic college student.
Joselito, however, was having problems making both ends meet with his meager monthly salary as a staff member of a corrupt lady mayor (effectively and comically played by Tessie Tomas).
Aside from his family’s basic needs, Joselito also helps the financial setback of his brother who needs to get regular dialysis because of his deteriorating health condition. Playing Joselito’s wife is Jaclyn Jose.
Because of the pressure of poverty, Joselito was compelled to accept the bribe from a crooked businessman, not knowing that everything, from the start, was planted by an investigative reporter of a TV network who is cracking down on the corrupt practices in the office of the mayor.
Without a job and while out on bail, Joselito and his family almost lose their hope on having him back on track — until he finds an anomalous garbage record of his former boss, the Mayora.
When Padre de Pamilya had its first invitational preview last month at the NCCA, guest of honor was Jun Lozada, the feisty key witness who testified against the government in the overpriced national broadband project. Lozada makes a brief guest appearance in the indie film playing himself.
The second preview was held early this month for the sisters at St. Scholastica’s College, led by Sr. Mary John Mananzan, who vowed to endorse the film as “an excellent value-formation for students.”
As writer, director and producer of Padre de Pamilya, Cesar comes out with a stronger and bolder message against poverty and corruption in his second film. Dauntless in his depiction of the perils of corruption, Cesar included audacious lines in the script that severely make sweeping statements against politicians.
The disturbing ending is bound to draw mixed reactions and sentiments from viewers, but will certainly move them in a different way. “Some might say the film is over-simplistic, judgmental or naive,” Cesar grants. “This (film) can also shatter the apathy of the youth and even the older people. But the plot of the film is what’s really happening around. If the electoral system is not credible, how do you begin to have good governance?”
Padre de Pamilya will be endorsed by Catholic schools as a requirement for their students. The film is also a “must-see” for every Filipino people who are still hoping for change in the government system.
“I still believe in the Filipino,” Cesar allows. “I hope this film will inspire more people to stand up and fight.”
