‘Ang Larawan’ and Filipino values

Isaw the film “Ang Larawan” when I visited my sister Lydia and my family Wednesday, Jan. 10 at City Mall in Makati. It was a good musical film with a power cast of Filipino artists. The film, based on Nick Joaquin’s “Portrait of the Artist as Filipino,” delineated the theme of the Filipino’s fidelity to tradition but also showed how the values of parent and sibling relations were threatened by realistic needs to survive. Should art and tradition give way? The film resolved the query using beautiful music and cinematic craft and left the audience to reflect on their own perceptions. After all, as Warren and Wellek said... “literature is descriptive and less evaluative!” It is "dulce et utile" (Hazzlit).

Joanna Ampil and Rachel Alejandro as Candida and Paula were excellent. But personally, I felt the live stage presentation performed decades ago by Lolita Rodriquez and Rita Gomez as Candida and Paula was more intense in their characterization. Their age fit the spinsters’ roles, and dramatic moments were more passionately delivered. No songs but heart-rending dialogues; “The Portrait” and its message were the center of the story and its place on stage kept the audience in suspense. Often, the live stage performance is more interactive.

The Filipino family has been the core of the Philippine culture, and bonding has kept the tradition alive. The legacy is passed on from generation to generation and reunions become occasions to rekindle family values.

TOGETHER. The Espinas and Ruizes at Emm Espina’s New Year lunch. At right, Birthday fete for Ding Silva with the Malazartes and Espinas, at Radisson Blu Cebu.

TRADITION. Keeping the family tradition alive: Julius and Nelia Neri with children and grandchildren.

THE FAMILY GENERATION of Castillos and Silvas: Tricia Silva, MCE, Larrie Silva, Lydia Castillo, Leda Silva Zaragoza, Celine Silva and Kiko Rosario, Noel Silva, Minnie Northcott and Ed Zaragoza during a family reunion at San Lorenzo, Makati.

HISTORY. A vintage photo that appeared in Philippines Free Press shows the cast of Nick Joaquin’s “Larawan” with Dante Rivero, Lolita Rodriguez, Rita Gomez, Leopoldo Salcedo, author Krip Yuson, Cecilia Bulaong, Veronico Palileo and Lorli Villanueva.

HIT. “Ang Larawan,” a film musical version starring Joanna Ampil, Rachel Alejandro and Paulo Avelino.

BOND. The family of Glenn, Honey and Edward Loop.