Entertainment

Congrats, Dad, for a job well done

February 12, 2003 | 12:00am

With the proliferation of R-rated and violent movies today, it is such a relief to finally watch a film that truly depicts how Philippine Cinema should be, a work of art in its truest and simplest sense. And I am so proud that my Dad is part of the whole ensemble that delivered such a magnificent piece.

Weekly movie night outs with the whole family have already been some sort of ritual. Apart from my Mom and Dad’s busy conflicting schedules and with my own busy high school life, we still manage to find time for each other during our weekend get-together. I was actually a little intrigued with this particular film before we watched it. Magnifico, at first, struck me as some kind of a fantasy movie. But I was told that there were no special effects or anything like that. So I didn’t really know what to expect from the movie. To be honest, it’s not everyday that I find my Dad so excited about a movie. It was only after watching it did I realize why he was so excited about it.

Magnifico is, indeed, a masterpiece. The story alone makes the movie worth watching. It’s a story that reminds us that life is not as complicated as we deem it to be. It’s surprising how this narrative, as seen through the eyes of a child, allowed me to rediscover the simple joys of life that I usually take for granted. It is actually the story’s simplicity that moves me. The way it captures the very essence of our existence is so real and compelling. It makes me realize how lucky I am to have such a wonderful family who has always been there to take care of me and to help me become the person I am today, something that we sometimes fail to appreciate because we tend to busy ourselves with the complexities of living and with keeping up with this fast-paced world. The film has a subtle way of creeping into our consciousness and before you know it, you leave the theater with your eyes brimming with tears and swollen from crying. I never expected people to be so affected by a movie. But I guess it has the power to unintentionally tap our senses and touch us all the more.

If there is a movie that could bring back hope for the movie Philippine Cinema to survive, Magnifico is without a doubt the one. It is a good example for the industry to follow not only because it has neither sex nor violence but because of its ability to explore the real meaning of Filipino values in our lives. Hopefully, the movie industry will realize this and be inspired. I hope more people will invest in such movies. Indeed, it is a movie that the whole family should see together and thus also be inspired by it. I have never been so enthusiastic in inviting people to watch a Filipino movie.

Nevertheless, I have always been proud of my Dad for all his hard work and for being such a versatile actor, although it is rare that I get the chance to really make him feel that I am. I won’t let this moment pass without telling him so. Congratulations, Dad!