Kagadanan Sa Banwaan Ning Mga Engkanto

My cinema class has opened my eyes to so many great things I have been missing. And I am so happy to have seen and learned some of the things I truly love and enjoy.

I survived a nine-hour film.
Nine hours and five minutes to be exact. I need to brag.

And I think I'm ready for more. Our Cinema professor told us that so far, Lav Diaz's longest film lasts for twelve hours, and that he is currently making a 24-hour long film. I flinched. But when you see even one of his films, you would think twice, and would most likely consider.

Death in the Land of Encantos (2007)

A film by Lavrente Indico Diaz

Kagadanan sa Banwaan ning mga Engkanto tells the struggles of Benjamin 'Hamin' Agusan, a writer and a poet living in Russia, as he returns to his home province Albay, only to find it buried in sand and rocks from Typhoon Reming and remains caused by the eruption of Mayon Volcano. Hamin reunites with old acquaintances, and faces new challenges as he continues his journey to find himself.

The first two hours of the film was excruciating. The techniques used in the film were new to me. Everything was all new to me. I felt agitation as I test how long will my patience last. Every scene seemed interpreted like real life, as it takes actual time frames. But when I allowed myself to get eaten by the slow hours, I grasped the narrative better. It's plot and paint-like frames were both telling a story. The long establishing shots become less and less of a pain. Everything started to make sense. The longer it was exposed, the further it made me think; the more ideas it instilled. Who would have thought that such chaos would still look so beautiful? Definitely eye-opening. With its mind-blowing revelations, articulate actors, beautiful cinematography, Death in the Land of Encatons is one hell of a film that would put you in awe.

I cheered along with the crowd as we all become each other's witnesses for a priceless moment. Because aside from the feeling of accomplishment (9 hours, dude; that's no joke), the experience opened my eyes, and taught me more about cinema and the nation as well. The knowledge I gained, and the things I discovered were truly worth the weekend I sacrificed.

It revealed us the nation's lies we are too blind to see, and the painful truth we keep neglecting. Indeed, breaking the conventional is unspeakable. It deserves to be seen. It must be seen.

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A Little Thing Called Love

It sucks when you have to try so hard just to get noticed by that certain person. Especially, when you know that the one who truly deserves you should not care how you look on the outside. But what the hell, sometimes when you get infatuated, you don't really think that way, do you?

Sing Lek Lek Tee Reak Wa Rak (2010)
A film by Puttipong Promsaka Na Sakolnakorn

Based on a true story, the film tells the story of Nam (Pimchanok Luevisadpaibul), an ordinary girl who eventually blooms into a more beautiful swan as she works hard to win the heart of campus crush, Shone (Mario Maurer).



Youthful and filled with morals. It's all about some of the most unforgettable firsts in life: first love, first kiss, and first heartbreak. But the best thing about this feel-good movie is its optimistic view on falling in love and getting your heart broken. It reminds us that despite the struggle of loving a person, it's supposed to bring more joy than pain. More importantly, it tells us that love should not stop us from becoming a better version of ourselves just because we are hurting. Sometimes, we need a little of these kinds of films. Not to live a life forever waiting for a love like this (although this kind of story almost never happens in real life), but to believe in the power of love. Is it not amazing how someone can unconsciously and effortlessly bring out the best in a person? It suddenly made me miss high school. Oh, sweet infatuation.

*MAY CONTAIN SPOILER* Though the ending was quite predictable, what's bad about it was the awfully exaggerated tension pressed in the last few moments of the two leads together. Seriously, they did not have to try that hard. The pairing and the sort of open-ended conclusion already built a strong foundation.



Aside from the light and fun narrative, the actors were pretty entertaining. I personally believe that a film instantly becomes more interesting when it uses non-linear story line. Because it raises several questions in the first few minutes, which helps to instantly get you hooked. But quite frankly, Mario Maurer was enough for me to keep watching. He makes me ponder where the hell is this incredibly handsome Mr. Right who knows that all ugly ducklings are all beautiful swans in disguised.

Just the perfect movie to gather some good vibes before another week begins. Even if you don't like rom-coms, you should see for yourself the youthful impact of this heartwarming story. Let's feel young at heart every once in while, shall we?

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