Yanggaw

Yanggaw is a horror film directed by Richard Somes. It is one of the films in competition in last year's Cinema One Originals. It stars Ronnie Lazaro, Joel Torre, Tetchie Agbayani, Aleera Montalla and Erik Matti.
It will be shown at Indiesine Robinsons from July 29 to August 4, 2009.

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Charlie Koon Film Review: Yanggaw

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Charlie Koon's Rating:

Let’s Switch Souls

Am I still... Me?

Villa Estrella could be best described as a mainstream montage, a papier-mâché piñata of Rico Maria Ilarde’s lesser known films. Numerous reference are seen in this film that has been employed from the mysterious lady coming out of the water of Sa Ilalim ng Cogon, the water element also present in Shake Rattle and Roll 2k5 segment ‘Aquarium’. The religious iconography, gun chasing incidents and twist obsessions of Altar is quite perceivable as well. I have seen all of these films. I could say that Ilarde is not only inspired to make horror features, making a credible name in the genre, but also has the skills both as a technician and a storyteller. Villa Estrella is an entertaining suspense story with a dash of romance and horror twists.

Altar could have been a good commercial release but unfortunately it did not happen. But I could still be right in what I said in my review of the film. It is easy to discern independent filmmakers who could be really useful in the mainstream film industry. This is especially for their artistic skills to be employed and blend it with film economics, you could never complain. I also felt the same way with the indie director Jade Castro’s romantic film Endo, the director of the mainstream romantic film My Big Love (although I was not able to record or write what I have said in that). Ilarde’s artistry surely did not suffer and have made really bold moves especially in his recent film.

Ana (Shaina Magdayao) is an advertising agent who is suffering from an abusive father played by John Estrada. She is forced to make up with Alex (Jake Cuenca), the son of his best buddy played by John Arcilla. They are business partners and his father is convinced that the reconciliation with her and Alex could be beneficial since the collapse of their finances. Unfortunately for Ana, she has a steady boyfriend Dennis (Geoff Eigenmann) who convinces her to elope one night but due to the promise Ana gave her deceased mother, she opted not to leave his drunkard and abusive father. Not surprisingly, that was a wrong move for Ana because by the next day, Alex has planned to taken her with him in the undeveloped resort they had named Villa Estrella.

Ana suddenly feels terrible about the place mostly for the peculiar attention being given to her by the Mang Gusting (Ronnie Lazaro). He tells her of her childhood and with her supposedly closeness with Andrea, her missing daughter. Ana is quite withdrawn from her past and insists Alex for them to leave the place but he resisted. As the night is going near, Ana familiarized herself with the place and befriends the startling and enigmatic Giselle (Maja Salvador).

Writers John Paul Abellera and Adolf Alix Jr made a good task in layering drama, romance and horror in the film. But I could still feel the artistic voice of the director Ilarde in evoking a credible assailment on this kind of genre. His images are somewhat predictable but the imagination of a suspenseful atmosphere and the logic behind the mysterious evil spirit residing at the soiled swimming pool is totally understandable.

Ana has suffered emotional trauma and it is quite easy to be convinced why she forgets her past. But when unexplained things happen, almost all the people in the Villa feel the intensity and mystery, well except for Alex. He could have focused too much with his undying love, he could have been possessed. In the middle of the chaos, Dennis harps in to save Ana but gets troubled with the lost of his friend. At least he’s still optimistic and logically finds his friend near the backyard. But he soon falls in a deep dungeon where he finds a little sneaky secret that could unlock all the ambiguity of the resort.

It’s a bit fun though when you think about the ending. Could it really be possible? I mean, it’s so cool if you will ask me, it could really lead to a catfight. And yet again, Alex will always be dumbfounded and literally has no instincts that someway or somehow; all the things could have been altered. Villa Estrella is a commendable film and the money you allocate for this will not be wasted. But to the most discerning eyes, the film is not all out scary, so watch out for this factor as the film has fused in other genre devices from drama to romance and even comedy.


Charlie Koon's Rating:

Simply Appetizing

Not my fingers!

Namets! can be purely explained as a sit down meal in a chic restaurant along the metropolis. It has an appetizer, a main course, a few entremets, and a sweet dessert. It has a good potential to amuse the mainstream audience. It is a love story to say the least with a touch of humor. If Namets! is the entire menu, I have to say that they have some delightful entrees.

Jacko (Christian Vasquez) gets bankrupt after losing a bet in a cockfight. He loses ownership of Puccini’s, an Italian Restaurant to a charismatic man famously called Boss Dolpo played by Peque Gallaga. Luckily, the hushed Dolpo loves food so much and was delighted with Jacko’s cooking skills. He was hired to be the cook of the restaurant in-the-making. Meanwhile, Cassie (Angel Jacob) is hired to be the food consultant. It surprises Jacko as Cassie is his former girlfriend, making him think that Cassie is making her sweet revenge.

Namets! is shown in last year’s Cinemalaya Film Festival. I was not able to watch any of the films in competition unfortunately as most of the films I wanted to see were all sold out. That is great to hear though. Namets! shows a pretty good grasp on how to make films concerning food with dynamism and originality. Its take on how to make a film more appetizing is incredibly seen. There are supplementary sequences oblique from the core story showing the Negrense Cuisine evolution. It also shows the proper way of eating the famous Bacolod Chicken Inasal. And of course, Ilonggo’s serious craving for Napoleones, a to-die-for glazed pudding.

Aside from the qualities of the film and the food, I would certainly agree with how the characters are molded within the story. Like what I have said in my Yanggaw review, my father is from Bacolod. He grew up in Silay for most of his childhood. We always go there for a fine vacation visiting our relatives. Jacko’s character is so true. I think its innate in most rich probinsiyanos with the way he lives. He changes his mind from one course to another until he ends up doing nothing. Most of my cousins are like that and it doesn’t matter because they have wealth and would have a back-up just in case. Their love for food is so serious and I certainly have lived up to this. Whenever we go to Bacolod, we always eat out and it is a must that the food is a hundred percent good or else. And why can’t I deprive to eat in that place? Their dishes are all sumptuous and I agree that the best time to eat La Paz Batchoy is during the afternoon.

Cassie’s character is the contrast of Jacko. She is independent and is well organized. Has a clear position in her life and has goals that she wants to accomplish. She appears to be rakish in her actions taking in consideration that she studies at Le Roche Culinary in Switzerland. All of a sudden, when love is again re-sparkled, she slows down a bit and savors the best thing life can offer. There could be a revenge factor on the first look with how she corresponds to Jacko. But her heart does not allow her to do so.

Namets! is a technically superior indie film. The interiors of both restaurants are laudably decorated. The music of Vince de Jesus is enchanting. The director Jay Abello and his writer Vicente Gracia Groyon has made an enticing film. I think Jacob is not an Ilongga but her accent will very much pass for an Ilongga socialite. And I commend her on how natural she gets into her character. Vasquez is well likely to play the part as he is a true-blooded Ilonggo.

The way to know Ilonggos are through food. I remember talking to my Auntie when she makes her classic Molo Soup. I will always ask her how she makes it. She will ask me back, what did you taste in the soup? And I will answer every ingredient I have tasted. Then we will go through the process and the secret ways of doing it until I realize that there is no secret but just common sense. Namets! is basic. I enjoyed watching it not because of acquired taste or cultural biases but it is because it is simple and pleasing to the senses.


Charlie Koon's Rating:

A Parody of Dialect

Combat Duo

Familiarity with other Filipino dialects could be advantageous for critics because it helps in gauging the film’s sincerity and thoroughness. My father is from Negros Occidental and I understand fully the language used in Yanggaw even without the subtitles. Unfortunately, the soft-spoken quality of my fellow Ilonggos has been made into a spectacle of hilarity. It must be a horror film but it appears to be some sort of comedy of inelegance. Ilonggo dialect was skewed into evoking laughter.

Yanggaw is a horror film written and directed by Richard Somes. Even the names of the character are a takeoff to names of endearment by Ilonggos such as Toto and Inday. Even garbling the names upon dictation has crazed the audience who are watching it (most of them are Ilonggos). They are chuckling at how spontaneous the actors are (which I feel that most of the lines are adlib). They could have been so at ease with their mother dialect and that the essence of creating a horror atmosphere obnubilated by the inept script. Of course it is admirable to express amusement with how we relate to the rich language of Hiligaynon. It’s just disappointing because I understand it very well and it sounds like an honest mistake – really.

I too have been infected with the rapid amusement the audience has shown. But certainly, I have opposing insights with how the film rates in terms of horror. Yanggaw in Ilonggo is translated as ‘infection’. In the rural town, Junior (Ronnie Lazaro) lives with his wife Inday (Tetchie Agbayani) together with their children. One day, their daughter Amor (Aleera Montalla) goes home with a sickness. She has been diagnosed by Lazarus (Erik Matti) that she has been infected with venom that goes through her ears. In a few days, Amor evolves into a monster commonly called ‘aswang’.

Yanggaw is a mixture of horror and melodrama. The dramatic overtone in the film is protracted with the struggle of the family in protecting their keen that is now a monster. It’s ironic in a way since the monster is now being protected from the villagers who try to get rid of it but natural familial reaction takes place. It’s good in a way since the point of view is revolving on the dramatic event of the monster’s own family. With obvious low cost production, Yanggaw was able to give an atmosphere that is quite creepy and to that, they are still on the right track. Even the story itself is about a monster eating the insides of animals and humans. But my concern is the dialect’s intonation. The film could still be successful for the wrong motives. There is a laugh to ease the terror within the film. But the laugh we are indulging is because it looks comical. That is quite unintended.

Yanggaw has a fresh take on our local myths. Somes has achieved an atmosphere for such incredible tales of aswang. The aswang inspiration is attained even without hi-tech effects and that is totally delightful to see. Well known actors like Joel Torre as Dulpo is such a relief to see on screen even if he appears to be a bit funny. Even Tetchie Agbayani as Inday has delivered her acting again with much self-confidence. Yanggaw won the Audience Choice Award in this year’s Cinema One Originals 2008 Festival. Ilonggo’s are proud of the film obviously. But the use of the dialect is a major distraction to the aim of the film. I should be frightened and not something else.
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Charlie Koon's Rating: