By twist of fate (after my yoga schedule at the studio with others who showed for a workshop turned out to be a dud tonight), I got the chance to watch “Sabungero” (see trailer here) at the 2010 NY Filipino Film Festival. I showed up late by 45 minutes, but I decided to
watch the movie with others in that small screening room (I estimated there were probably 50 people at the max tonight). Joel Torre’s performance was (as expected) convincing; it’s also refreshing to see a more mature and prettier Maritoni Fernandez, plus a supporting role played well be Ricky Davao. I have not seen that many Filipino movies these past 4 years that I’ve been based here in NYC (though I would make effort to briefly review and describe my viewing experience of Filipino films shown during summer at the Philippine Consulate). “Sabungero’s” storyline is actually predictable; I’ve seen many similar stories in my many years of watching movies (and “sabong” or cockfight has been featured many times in Philippine movies, including the Nora Aunor-starrer “Annie Sabungera” - has anyone of you out there seen this movie, too? Please feel free to feedback!).
I got curious, after the screening was over, to ask the two guys manning the entrance to the screening room, if the story’s based on a real story. Having seen it half-way thru, I thought the movie’s worth my time, as I went on to pay the $10 admission fee. I explained I was late for the screening, and it happened that they were doing a quick-screening of “Sabungero” again on the screen prior to the screening of the next movie in their schedule (“Maximo Oliveros,” which indie film I saw at the CCP when it was first screened at least 5 years ago. See a segment here: ). I then had the chance to watch at least 25 more minutes of the movie – this time, the storyline looked clearer in my mind. Its tale could very well happen to anyone, who’s got a hidden gambling streak in him / her. Or even someone who’s not happy anymore in the job [s]he is currently doing – a character played by Joel Torre, who could very well be one of your friends, relatives, or beloved. You can easily empathize with the demons faced by the main protagonist.
But I was more curious on the “World Slasher Derby” (see sample online news here) shown in the film, where cockfights are held at least annually, attracting attract enthusiasts and participants the world over. The Philippines happens to be a leading destination on international events related to cockfighting – it’s just that this honorable sport has got a reputation that’s less desirable than what’s dreamed of by those who love this bloody game between two strong, valiant cocks on the ring before awed audiences who wagered which cock will emerge victorious at the end. I noted that I got to research more on this, as the general public, including myself, don’t know much about this game that has been around for hundreds of years in the Philippines, even before the Spaniards came.
Meanwhile, watch if you can the remaining films in the roster (with YouTube trailers - if available, to help you decide and go):
June 16, Wednesday
3:00 – 4:45pm: ROTONDA
5:00 – 7:00pm: BABY ANGELO
7:15 – 9:15pm: PLONING
9:30 – 11:00pm: LALAKI SA PAROLA
June 17, Thursday
3:00 – 4:45pm: KALELDO
5:00 – 7:00pm: TULAD NG DATI
7:15 – 9:15pm: SANGLAAN
9:30 – 11:00pm: DOSE
June 18, Friday
3:00 – 4:30pm: MANORO
4:45 – 6:45pm: CONCERTO
7:00 – 9:00pm: ATAUL FOR RENT
9:15 – 11:15pm: SIKIL
June 19, Saturday
12noon – 2:00pm RELASYON
2:30 – 4:30pm BONA with short SUPERFAN
June 20, SUNDAY
12noon – 1:45pm ROTONDA
2:00 – 3:45pm TAWAG NG TANGHALAN
4:00 – 5:45pm: ATAUL FOR RENT
6:00 – 8:00pm: PLONING
8:00 – 9:45pm: LIHIM NI ANTONIO
10:00 – 12midnite: BONUS SCREENING (I asked Vincent, one of the two guys who were was manning the screening, which movie would this be? LILET, a Celia Rodriguez-starrer in the early ‘70s)
or call 347-730-4281 (email VRNfilms@gmail.com) for details.
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