Bwakaw (Jun Robles Lana)

        As a self-proclaimed animal lover, I was immediately attracted to watch a Cinemalaya Director's Showcase Film entitled "Bwakaw" by Jun Robles Lana.

Bwakaw official movie poster

    The first thing that came into my mind was that this movie will be similar to the film "Hachiko" wherein the main protagonist is the loyal-to-death dog who continues to wait for his master who has passed away.
  Another thing that made me want to watch is it's puzzling title. I wasn't sure about the meaning of the word Bwakaw. What I only knew is the similar term Bakaw used in a basketball game to refer to a player who wants the ball all by him/herself.

    I was surprised to see the movie revolve more around the master rather than the dog itself. The story was pretty much about Rene (played by Eddie Garcia), and how he faces the people around him with the assumption of leaving them soon. As an old, gay man living in an antique house with no one else to accompany him but his most beloved dog, Bwakaw. Click here for movie synopsis

his most beloved dog, Bwakaw.

living in an antique house

   It's nice how the film makers were able to expose revelations of the story step by step so as not to spoil the viewers. they have also portrayed how it looks and feels like to be in a province such as having a serene surrounding, limited means of transportation, about the right amount of darkness and light during the night - all of these, mixed with a punch of humor.

serene surrounding

limited means of transportation

right amount of darkness and light during the night

   I'm not sure but I guess a  mise-en-scène used in the film is the Anahaw fan used by the priest. I have also observed the way the priest moves and talks - gently, and a little bit feminine. My interpretation of this is that the priest, whom Rene is close to could be an old friend his who was once like him. 


All in all, this combination of comedy, drama, and reality is something totally worth watching. Thumbs up!

-SALVINO, 202A

Photos courtesy of http://ph.omg.yahoo.com 
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