The act of killing is a documentary style movie but done in a quite extravagant way, asking a group of mass murderers to recreate their weirdly spectacular murders. I find it quite disturbing that they even conduct their murders in such a way, but also find it quite funny as to how they do it- with dancing, music and the works. I like that they carried out their kills in style I find it better than just straight up murdering people like with a knife or something. One of the other things that disturb me about the film is the fact that they openly admitted to the camera that they raped younger children. There is another detail that lead me to be stunned is the fact that the politicians call themselves gangsters. It’s funny to me. They only call themselves gangsters because to them it apparently means free man- which is good for Indonesia?

SIX DEGREES OF SEPARATION FROM LILA CUNTAPAY

             This film by Antoinette Jadaone is about a veteran extra , Lilia Cuntapay who was starred extra in Filipino Horror Films. This film showed the life of Lilia Cuntapay who worked very hard for her roles as an extra. Many people recognized her and seen her passion in acting. Lilia Cuntapay is not like any other actor. She’s smart, witty and friendly. I loved how she was so driven to make a speech for the award that she was nominated for, even if she did not win. It just means that Lilia work really hard for everything she wanted to have. 

          Six Degrees of Separation from Lilia Cuntapay is another proof that many recognize her. And with Lilia Cuntapay’s passing, the film had some benefit screenings at Cinema 76 last August 25 – 28, 2016.

     For me, the best thing in Lilia Cuntapay's story is what happened after this film. She won her first acting award for this mockumentary, received new acting projects, and was introduced to a younger generation through a popular TV series ('Forevermore'). While she spent the final days of her life seeking medical and financial assistance, I'd like to believe that she died remaining committed to an industry that finally returned her love and recognized her legacy.

     Besides than that, her poverty and lack of recognitions  were questionable. At the start of the film, Direk Antoinette Jadaone asked random strangers and celebrities who worked with Lilia. Some of them don’t know Lilia, some of them weren’t sure who Lilia was, so on and so forth.

       The used of camera angles were purposely awkward that satirizes the whole film, and for it to be funnier. The cinematography was purposely for the feel of the movie, it showed the house of Lilia which was at the squatter’s area which was very realistically implied, especially to us Filipinos.

       Lilia Cuntapay proved that she could also be a lead actress, and she was more than an extra in a horror movie film. It broke my heart to see her still at that position in her life where she was financially unstable, but she was working very hard to get there someday. It just showed how hard it is to be in the acting industry. Most of the time they only pay you half as much as the other actors, and most of the time don’t even get recognition.

       The last part was a very heartbreaking, realistic scene where she did not win the AFTAP award, and I could feel her embarrassment. Lilia Cuntapay worked so hard for her speech to be the best speech she could possibly ever say in an award show and she did not win. It was a brilliant film, because I did not have many expectations in this film. This film surprised me, made me laugh and cry. If I could rewatch this, I definitely would. This film also showed that not  all people who work hard in the industry get paid, and treated equally. This is heartbreaking.

A Maynila sa mga Kuko ng Liwanag Analysis

Jobs and occupations are tough to acquire, especially in the Philippines years before. People will go through thick and thin just to earn money or make a living. The Philippines may be advertised to the world for its national beauty and landmarks, but what people fail to see is the struggles daily Filipinos face, especially people who live in poverty, people who struggle to find a well payed job, people who struggle handling the family and household, and people who are victims and witnesses of crimes and wrong doings. Maynila sa mga Kuko ng Liwanag, a 1975 drama Film, is considered as one of the most iconic and most prevalent film of the Philippines. Staring Bembol Roco who played as Julio Madiaga, played one of the most memorable roles he played as an actor. Showing the hardships of a Julio, the protagonist, and his way of living, earnings, and “relationship”. The film sheds light to not the beauty of Maynila but the evil that lurks within it and its people.

The film is coherent, original and realistic in nature. It was filmed in various places in Maynila, and depicted the atmosphere and authenticity of Maynila. It also showed how tough it can be living in a very urbanized city especially if you’re not used to it such as Julio when he was working as a construction worker. The moral aspect of the film is strongly not for the underaged, it’s a film that phenomenally showed the sexual side of Maynila and its people. The sexual elements in the film were not romanticized, the sexual elements were not present to woo the audience, but to show how vast it is and how much people desire it most especially in times where you need money. Julio engages with escorts with the intention of getting money, and besides that, the film also covers prostitution (Ligaya and Ah-Tek) and how devious acts like this can still exist in our country. And it shows the complexity of urban cities and the film itself. There are literal people who engage in sexual activity for money because they had no other means of earning, how people can be (easily) tricked in prostitution, how gloomy it can be to work especially as a construction worker, and how family and closed loved ones can be greatly affected with your deeds – all captured into a beautiful 2 hour long film.

The referential meaning of the film has some underlying symbolism. Julio’s last name is Madiaga, a play on the word “Matiyaga” which means hardworking. Ligaya, Julio’s childhood sweetheart, means joy. Ligaya is literally the ligaya is Julio’s life, Ligaya gives Julio the joy and happiness he desires, he sees her as the paradise or his paradise of joy, which is why his heart strongly beats for her. Ah-Tek is a play on “kita”, money. Ah-Tek is a reference to how greedy a person can be and all he cares for is what s/he earns most especially money. And lastly Mrs. Cruz, the one who tricked Ligaya to Maynila for prostitution, is a reference to cruz or cross, meant to represent the “burden” she carries. Cruz can also be an alias, because Cruz is a common Filipino surname, which could explain why she gets away with things and/or not being suspected as a suspicious person. It overall shows the hard work (Julio) we have for our joy in life (Ligaya), and we have to be determined and patient in order to get what we love, even if our burden, sins (Mrs. Cruz) and greediness (Ah-Tek) makes us lose our way towards joy.

The symptomatic meaning is how society comprises a lot of variety in terms of financial recovery, job listings, family struggles, economic decay, and sexual favors, can be hidden in even the central cities of our nation. Our entire world spins if money continues to spin, it is because money is so powerful it can define an entire future. 1 peso today is not much compared to the time of the film, around the 70’s, where 1 peso is worth more than it is. And when people struggle to earn money especially if their job blows, it’s tough to find other ways to getting money that often engaging in sexual favors in exchange for money becomes a legitimate option. People would dare to leave their families and their hometown in hopes of getting better job opportunities. And there are also times where family cannot help you. When Ligaya was held captive by Ah-Tek, she couldn’t even tell her family about her situation especially if her life’s on the line.

It was such a blast watching this film. This film is actually listed in the “1001 movies you must see before you die”, Maynila sa mga kuko ng Liwanag is one of the, if not, the only Filipino film/s present in the list, and it shows. An old classic film cleverly captivates the viewer with it’s story, themes, and social constructs. The implicit meaning for how I interpreted the film is how there’s always a bright side and a dark side in life, and more often than not, the dark side is bigger. Both Julio and Ligaya left home in hopes of getting better jobs, they looked at the bright side where there is more to look forward to in a big city. But only to end up as a construction worker, and held for prostitution, doesn’t seem that much of a bright opportunity. Maynila, as told by a number of characters, is “mahirap”. It is never easy to live in such a city. Sometimes there is also light in the darkness, and darkness in the light as well. Prostitution and escorts are not a pretty “occupation” but at the very least you can technically earn from doing so, which is what both Julio and Ligaya have had in mind, when there’s no other way to go. Again knowing that there’s always darkness in light, Julio and Ligaya plans to escape and go back home, with a plan already in stored what’s the worst that could happen? Apparently, a life’s cost, Ligaya lost her life in attempts of trying to go back with Julio and leaving with her kids. And with Julio’s despair, he plots to kill Ah-Tek, thinking it could bring his emotional peace but only to end up being beaten up himself by a crowd of people. There are times where our deeds often lead to a bright thing but we take for granted the dark side of it, and often times, we have to settle to the darker or more devious choices because it’s our last and only choices.

The explicit meaning is how in the real world, it will not always be pretty, and evil can lurk in any crook, especially in ourselves. In the film, Julio was so retaliated and shocked how he instinctively fought purse snatcher and almost gotten to fight with another man, knowing he will actually end up being a bad guy himself by killing the person who kept Ligaya and (allegedly) killed her. We could take our actions and choices for granted, not knowing where it could lead us. And other thing to add, is how much we can get and lose things in life. Julio has lost so many things in his life, his family when he left, his money, his job, his friends, and Ligaya. While we still have these things with us, let us make the most out of them, and not take the wrong turn that can make us lose all of them one-by-one.

Maynila sa mga kuko ng Liwanag is one of the most profound Philippine films and a definite must-see. Beauty can have its flaws, and beauty can have its ugliness. Maynila is a beautiful city even before, but it’s not always the case because if you take a closer look, and experience the place, you can see how every nook can have its darkness. The film gravely captured how in the real world, how it ugly it can be and how evil can lurk in what’s bright – Maynila in the claws of the light.

A Six Degrees of Separation from Lilia Cuntapay Analysis

Six Degrees of Separation from Lilia Cuntapay was a phenomenal mockumentary that sheds light in the Philippine Film Industry and the actors/actress with the likes of Lilia Cuntapay. The life of an actress is complex to the point that fame, awards, set roles, and lifestyle becomes either filled with glee or anticipation. Lilia Cuntapay, the star of the documentary, was longing to be awarded – as Best Supporting Actress – and she has been in the filming industry for about 30 years without winning an award, that her anticipation and anxiety, grows more and more. Finding out one day she was nominated for Best Supporting Actress, but losing to Rio Locsin. The desire of winning was in her eyes but it instantly faded as she found out she didn’t won, and this documentary shows her perspective and why winning this award is such an anticipated moment for her.

The documentary’s referential meaning is about the Philippine Film Industry, how often times actors and stresses don’t get the treatment and recognition they deserve and been longing for and Often times discriminated or told they want other people for roles or categories to win. In the documentary, Lilia Cuntapay, an actress who has been in multiple movies for years, was informed to be on set 6AM the day, without receiving any other information such as role, script, or even what the movie is about. And when the director finally met Lilia Cuntapay, he went off saying if they can get another person to fill her role since she’s old and did horror related tasks. And through-out the years, Lilia’s work has been iconic, yet she hasn’t won an award yet even though she centers the “Hollywood” of Philippines, labelled as the “Kevin Bacon” of the Philippines.

The documentary was complex in terms of its originality, because it shows Lilia’s thoughts on wanting to win Best Supporting Actress, and it is Realistic, Coherent, and Original in a sense that this is the life and the experiences a (veteran) actress goes through. She hopes for the better but sometimes it just doesn’t show up, but it will in the end. The documentary explicitly means that when you work hard on something, it will not be easy or as smooth as you thought it would be, but you will get your vocation and your worth in the end. She never won an award, but when Rio Locsin – Best Supporting Actress winner – shared her label and award to Lilia Cuntapay. And working in the film industry for years and not earning an award is tough in the eyes of an artist because even though awards aren’t everything, it gives a strong sense of value and “acceptance” to the awardee, and this documentary is Lilia’s award. She won best actress in this documentary, awards that she never got the opportunity to acquire. It will come by in the end. Even if you feel like hope is lost that doesn’t mean it’s no longer worth fighting for. And it is moral because despite of the satire and laughable elements, we can learn how a veteran actress is passionate and caring for her recognition and with the people that helped her on her journey.

When I watched this documentary I was laughing, I was thrilled, I was down, and I was proud – for Lilia Cuntapay. What made this film so original is the internal monologues and thoughts Lilia has on giving her thank you speech if she wins. This was shown in cuts where she wears a dress, surround by references to her past films, and struggling to talk in the podium.

The entire documentary itself is just an internal thought of Lilia about desiring to win an award – in my own interpretation. Through-out the film she was trying to construct her speech, and shown in parts where she visualizes herself giving the speech. And at the day of the awarding ceremony, she rehearses her speech only to find out she lost, and basically gave up on her speech, and was literally lost on what to say when Rio Locsin invited her on stage with her award. This whole documentary was a visualization of what Lilia’s desires for when winning, she tries hard to get interviews, recognition, be nominated, and she did it, she did it because of this documentary. She may not have won in her past roles, but for her role in this documentary - a documentary showing her desire to win - made her an award-winning actress.

Director Peque Gallaga expressed his love and amazement about Lilia Cuntapay and how much she is one of the amazing Filipino actresses there is. He also mentioned how much an award is worth it to an actor/actress. The documentary symptomatically means how just in real life awards should actually mean anything, but the psychological and emotional attachment it has is very strong, and society always look upon any person with an award in glory. Just the label “award winning actress” shows great value to the actress and looked up on society. The psychology behind awards is that give the awardee that entitlement that they did amazing, they are worth it, they deserve this from all their hard work, everyone will see how amazing of a person you are. It literally just a label, paired with a piece of material like a trophy, medal, certificate etc. But the power it has is strong. In the real world, the label you have will make you stand out and looked up on the most, even in Politics. A person who has categories such as award winning actress, best production, charity head, etc. has a way bigger reputation and earns more opportunities, compared to someone who is just an actress for years or has years of experience in acting. The entitlement means a lot to an individual as well as awards, and it’s normal to  a person to desire for that, especially to an actress who was 75 years old and working in film for many years.

Winning isn’t everything, but it sure is something. Lilia Cuntapay hasn’t won an award until this documentary was released. She labels herself as an actress, but not famous. She may have worked in many films but wouldn’t consider herself well known, even if she is metaphorically the “Kevin Bacon” of Philippines for that she worked with many people in the industry. Many people were not even familiar with her, until one roles and works were mentioned to retain the people’s memory. Some people remember her, some people don’t, but what stays the same is how much of a successful actress and individual (in general) Lilia Cuntapay is. In the end, even if you did not get the recognition you always wanted, that doesn’t mean you will never be successful.

New light

                The film is about a man from the province trying to start a life in urban manila, the scene starts with a black and white portrayal of manila where the streets seem empty but slowly it turns into a busy centre where people come bustling in and is suddenly so full of life and in colour once the main character- Julio Madiaga. The film itself historically portrays poverty during the Marcos era in the Philippines during the 1970s and many other social or political issues, continuing on the film; the film sho9ws how difficult it is to “get rich” in the manila coming from a province and was in fact not as easy and breezy as people said it would be. Julio manages to get a job as a construction worker and is paid what I think could be minimum wage in that time. Another dream to get rich was from one of the other character in which Julio is looking for- Ligaya. She was sent to manila dreaming to get rich and make more money than she did back in the province. She went to manila and became a prostitute; not by choice. Soon enough Julio also succumbs to doing the same thing and becoming a prostitute as he is laid off his job due to the building being almost complete just so he can make a sort of living in his trying times as the clutches of manila tightens its grasp on him.

                These issues are still relevant today as these issues are still present and perhaps even worse- as consumerism has pretty much taken over. While the film is good and has been restored to 4k the sound of the original film was quite different. Some scenes the background noise overpowered the conversation that was usually going on. The cinematography for some scenes where phenomenal. But personally I like that the colour came in the moment that Julio came into view in the start of the film when the starting film was empty and black and white.  The film itself also symbolizes the dreams that many Filipinos had. Like the modern day American dream. Back then Filipinos would flock to manila like for fortune and luxury. But instead there is corruption every-which way you go. Meanwhile Julio represents every poor man in a corrupt city, yet in the clutches of greed and corruption he manages to make friends and bonds with his fellow construction workers- which is one my favourite bits in the film. Because I value my friends quite well and we value each other. Even when we’re flat broke we still have fun together whether its playing games together or even eating together; like cooking something with whatever was left in his kitchen and just generally having a good time together, just like in the film. Julio is also seen eating with his friends in some sort of karinderia or going to an thrift store to buy “new”? clothes.

Who is Lilia Cuntapay?

Lilia Cuntapay was born on January 3, 1935 in Tuguegarao, Cagayan, Philippines. She also was a Filipino horror movie extra but has been dubbed the queen of Pinoy horror films for her more notable performances in “shake, rattle, and roll”. Unfortunately that is all she is known for and also how she is identified- so no other movies would try to hire her as an actress because of her identification as a horror film extra. Until Six Degrees of Separation from Lilia Cuntapay came out and she was more recognized as an actress instead of a horror movie bit player. Projects she was hired on was for most horror films  

              Six Degrees of Separation is a theory in which that all people are at least 6 connections or less away from knowing other people- which is sort of in tandem with the friend-of-a-friend chain. This is where a person states something about a friend from a friend which can be carried over from 6 people. It’s almost infinitesimal that one person would know another person that their friend knows. Much like having 2 completely different friendgroups in school and then finding out one of them knows the other from a different friendgroup.

              Six Degrees of Separation from Lilia Cuntapay is one of those films that is formatted to look like a documentary- but is in fact a mockumentary; written by Antoinette Jadaone In which case is a film that isn’t as true to life as it may be. The film starts off with a bunch of interviews from other prolific film makers. The film itself begins typically with a setting point that Lilia got nominated for an award for best supporting actress. The story continues as she prepares for her award- if she were to win that is. While it is somewhat documentary-like with its camera movement and production the intention is to lead the viewer into thinking it is an actual life story or biography.

               The mockumentary style of the film is benefitted by not having to be as true to life and most of the bits and pieces are what seem to be built on some kernel of truth. While some scenes can be comedic at times, it isn’t the best but at it but is most certainly a commendable attempt. What wasn’t expected was how moving Lilia can be. She can act more than just some spooky horror movie ghost or extra. The emotional scenes are moving, almost lifelike often times I find myself forgetting that this is supposed to be a mockumentary as opposed to a documentary. Leading to that, the scenes that moved me the most was when she was interviewed- Lilia’s eyes shined so brightly. She was happy to get some kind of recognition finally, but in the end all they showed was her name on the screen. I could totally feel the sadness that she was exhibiting, so much so that I also joined her in crying. Another scene that moved me so was when she called one of her children to say that she got approved. However the daughter took it differently, and instead thought that she got approved for a visa. She was so happy that she could get her mother to fly out and visit her. But Lilia stood silent, almost heart broken. Her excitement died down into a terrible sadness and despair. To further move the scene forward with her brilliant drama-like acting- she unplugs her telephone cord and is still and continues to be silent.

               Scenes where there is some kind of mock award show where she picks up a trophy and is talking on a podium is one of those scenes I like to appreciate because of how much it is repeated but almost always different. I like to think that whenever a scene like that shows up, it’s like going inside her head, having a little peak at what is happening in her mind. In there she is shown to be confident, and speaks well without pausing but once it comes to the actual event where she is called onto the podium by someone else who had won but wanted her to be recognized, she is frozen- almost speechless. But nevertheless, that scene did make me tear up quite a bit. Her name as a Queen of Pinoy horror films precedes her as her acting is actually quite on point despite mostly only having been a bit player for ghosts or aswangs.