Minsan May Isang Gamu-Gamo

Nora Aunor as Corazon dela Cruz

Jay Ilagan as Bonifacio Santos

Eddie Villamayor as Carlito

Gloria Sevilla as Mercedes “Chedeng” dela Cruz

Perla Bautista as Yolanda Santos

Paquito Salcedo as Ingkong

Luz Fernandez as Policewoman

Director: Lupita Concio

Writer: Marina Feleo-Gonzales

Synopsis:

Corazon dela Cruz is a nurse who wants to work in the United States of America. She belongs to a poor family with her mother Chedeng, brother Carlito and grandfather Ingkong. She was then applying for US Visa while her boyfriend Bonifacio Santos is also trying his luck in the US Navy. Boni’s mother Yolanda owns a PX or Post Exchange Store and seeks for help to her American friends with regards to Boni’s application. She was harassed by merchandise control guard in the US Base when she went to there. Boni told Yolanda to sue the merchandise control guard but she refuses to. Afterwards, they still sued the said guard.

The trouble in Yolanda’s life started from that moment. Her store was raid and the guard tried to offer her an amicable settlement. Yolanda pursued the case. This incident made Boni to cancel his application for US Navy. Chedeng got mad at Corazon when she found out that she is helping Boni. While the shooting of children are happening, Corazon’s flight to US is approaching. Meanwhile, Yolanda did not win the case so they accepted the settlement. Corazon, on the other hand is preparing to leave for US.

Audience Stability: PG13

Cinematic Focus (Identify and Explain):

-          Story / plot driven: The struggle of Filipinos against the Americans in the Philippines is the main focus of the film. Own and different stories of each character in the story showed different cases and situations of the Filipino people during those times.

-          Character driven: Ingkong’s character definitely showed his nationalism. Since that the movie is about criticizing the government with regards to the US military base, his character has driven much thought about being nationalistic and to love the country.

-          Technical driven:  The technical aspect was not impressive. Camera angles were typical and shaky at times. Lighting was very simple or there was nothing at all. Sometimes, it was too much brighter than the normal and too dark at times too. There was no balance in lighting. And there only have limited sound effects.

-          Experimental driven: I don’t think they have been experimental in this film. It was plainly done and nothing was different enough to add more spice in the story.

Points of Observation

Should Not’s: The travel agent said to Corazon in a conversation, “Bayang Magiliw.”                     

Should Be’s: I think that they should have focused more on Corazon’s life and her struggles in this movie. And the travel agent should have said, “Lupang Hinirang” since he is also a Filipino.

Well Presented: I think that the well presented part was when Corazon and her family were talking about her plan to be a US Citizen and Ingkong told him about being nationalistic.

Rating:

5 stars: highly recommended to watch!

4 stars: recommended to watch!

3 stars: you can watch it to relax

2 stars: better see another movie

1 star: stay at home! It’s not worth it!

—– Grechell Ann P. Silvestre

—– BBrC III-3D (irr)