MAGANDANG BUHAY Philippines drama

 

Magang Bayan - Indonesia's First Gay Comedy

Based in Manila, the island-dwelling city of the Philippines, MAGANDANG BUHAY is a martial arts drama series based in the early days of the Philippines. It is the third full-length drama film directed by Alejo Guedes de Leon. Having an all-star cast headed by Al Pacino, this film has been made in the style of a classical film noir. Based on the life events of the prominent Filipino actor Al Pacino, the story revolves around a young woman, Lola Yayon, who is pregnant with her second child. As the pregnancy progresses, Lola slowly falls ill and is hospitalized only to be told that she will need to have an operation.

Back at home, her husband, Gil, finds out about Lola's condition and takes her to the operating room. In the midst of the operation, Gil witnesses his own death - not a heart attack as he had been led to believe, but rather a massive chest wound that leaves him paralyzed. Just before he dies, he confides in his dying mother, Mrs. Concepura, about his desire to see his family again one day, and Mrs. Concepura tells him about a man calledacio who lives in Manila, called Pinoy teleserye. Aiding Pinoy, Gil seeks adventure in pursuit of his dream to reunite with his wife and children. But when he arrives there, he's shocked to find that his own son has been captured and taken away to serve as a courier for drugs...

Based on true events, this film depicts a plot that may even be farcical. But what it doesn't try to portray is the Philippine culture, or the Philippine women, for that matter. This is an action-filled story and because of its fast-paced scene and dialogue, the film gets quickly to the climax before letting its viewers take a breath. Throughout, the story seems to be taking its own path, which may be why some people find the ending too abrupt.

The movie starts out by allowing the viewer to observe and then experience the events that follow. A taxi driver rams into Pinoy teenager Paco, forcing him to drive off in his car. While Paco is unconscious, his friend Lola (Sandra Oh) visits him in the hospital. Lola relates her encounter with Paco to his father, who in turn tells Pinoy's father, Viracor, who then contacts Pinoy's mother, Alida (Dana Villasego), about the accident.

Paco's father then tells his friend Rufino, a former street hustler, about the night's events. Rufino tells him that in return for a large amount of money, he will arrange for someone to meet Paco that evening at his house and then proposition him for money. Paco initially tries to avoid the meeting, but changes his mind once he overhears conversations between his driver and Lola. Once there, he overhears Viracor and his associate Jovani (Eduardo Villanueva) planning the assault. Intent on getting some cash himself, he agrees to pay them a small amount of money for the deed.

Magang Bayan is an interesting movie that offer some good one-liners, as well as some excellent acting. Although it is predictable throughout, it isn't over the top and instead remains a mild and intriguing to watch. It isn't too exciting, but instead offers a unique take on the urban fantasy genre. If you have seen the movie, you know what to expect. If you haven't yet seen it, this may be worth seeing just to see how different the plot turns out.