a film by Orvil Bantayan
"Don't judge things with their physical approach only", that is the very particular lesson I learned from the independent film "Tambara", an official entry for the National Film Competition 2012 in the Philippines.
I was like 'uhhh...' when I heard the title of the film. I was disappointed because I beleive that a movie with this unusual title would only talk about the life of the natives or something that involves nature with a jungle setting.
The story of the film talks about the lives of Lando, a well-educated elementary teacher, Luisa, Lando's pregnant wife and a faith healer known as Datu Pikong. The conflict arises when Datu Pikong, known to be an alcoholic man before, began doing some faith healing sessions to cure people's illnesses particularly in their town. He performs unusual rituals like calling a god named Apo Sandawa through an imaginary cellphone and recommending his patients to perform an embarrassing dance such as the monkey dance. Lando wasn't convinced with Datu Pikong's different ways of helping people. He even thought that he's a fake healer for he accepts payments and donations from his patients. Lando thought that Datu Pikong was using these payments to sustain his vices. Truly, Lando was a big anti against Datu Pikong's beliefs.
One day, Lando found a "Tambara"(an sacred altar for the deities) under a Balete tree. With great anger, Lando destroyed it with no dilemma. The deities were in wrath and they poured a heavy rain which would be the sign of the beginning of their vengeance to Lando. On that day, Luisa was about to give birth. She and her midwife couldn't go to the city for the river was overflowing due to the rain so they had no choice but to stay in their house. The midwife wasn't able to pull out the baby for their wasn't any sign of it. Luisa was already experiencing an internal hemorrhage and she needed immediate treatment. Her midwife recommended Datu Pikong to Lando for they had no choice but to him alone. Out from the rain, Datu Pikong arrived in Lando's house. He immediately called Apo Sandawa through his imaginary phone. With their "divine" conversation, Datu Pikong found out about the unrighteous and disrespectful act made by Lando to the Tambara. Datu Pikong immediately ordered them to make some noises and dance in order to please the deities nd forgive Lando. Soon, Datu Pikong was possessed by Apo Sandawa and he made the baby come out as well as the revival of Luisa. With all of these, Lando was convinced with the true power of the deities. The last part of the film showed Lando and Datu Pikong dancing the eagle dance together as the sun rises which shows their thanksgiving and respect to the deities.
The film clearly states the conflict between indigenous traditions and modernity. We have our own and they have their own. We should mind our own businesses. We shouldn't judge their own customs, traditions, rituals and beliefs. In fact, we should be thankful to them for preserving and conserving our rich culture. We must respect them and don't interrupt them as long as they're helping people.
I learned two things in one lesson. Not to judge other people's beliefs and not to judge a movie's title. In short, let us look at the inner part and not the outer one.
The setting of the film was more on in a green environment which clearly illustrates the presence of indigenous traditions. It brings a naturalistic view but for me their is something lacking in the film's setting. The flow of the story is the element I really liked in the film for it is in a straightforward manner. Messages are delivered directly to the audience making it very easy to understand. Lando, Luisa and Datu Pikong are the main characters of the story. I wasn't satisfied with Lando's acting even though, the movie runs so smoothly. I idolize Datu Pikong because of his enthusiasm. In times of awkwardness, he crack out jokes to fill the emptiness of the surroundings.
This film's good. I recommend this to all ages. It is definitely a lesson-giving film. Truly, indie films are the best! Mr. Orvil Bantayan, you did a very great job!
He played the role as the husband of Luisa. He is a good actor they say but I wasn't satisfied with his performance in Tambara.
She is the Mutya ng Dabaw 1998. I find her a very good actress as she played Luisa, Lando's wife in Tambara.
He is a Cebuano actor. He played the role of Datu Pikong, the Bagobo Shaman. I idolize him for he's so enthusiastic in the movie. He looks a very talented actor. He often participates in most indie films.
I
really appreciated the film for it proves that even the smallest thing such as
a typeface also had its origination and this film helped Helvetica narrate its
story. I definitely agree with the author’s opinion. I think the positive part
Helvetica gives to designers is its neutrality. Its neutral uniqueness among other typefaces
gives a smooth and free atmosphere on the text. It can be easily read and
Helvetica doesn’t cover the meaning of the text. The text remains simple and
doesn’t irritate the reader’s eyes and concentration. Behind all of this, I
also think Helvetica’s approach is boring for it looks like plain letters with
no entertaining approach. Helvetica nowadays is overused because of the
satisfaction it gives to designers which is a good thing. But I think the world
must move on. More innovations should be applied on Helvetica in order to fit
in with the modernization of the society.
