BAMBOO
FLOWERS
Reaction Paper

Submitted to:
Dr. Carmen Decierdo, PhD

Submitted by:
Dianne Michelle Daquio

“BAMBOO FLOWERS”
Written by: Aloy Adlawan
Directed by: Maryo de Los Reyes

“Bamboo Flowers” presents a three-story script intertwined into one. The film talks about married life and single blessedness life of young and other strangers, about students’ aspirations and ambitions, about sons and daughters of farmers, about tourist guides, cultural workers, children and ordinary people, about tourists who visit the province.
“Bamboo Flowers” are literally the chandelier-shaped bamboo leaves/flowers which bloom on the bamboo trees that are in the final stages of death. This paradox is evident in the life in these islands where traditions maybe dying because times do change and because progress has bloomed and new things, outlooks, beliefs and practices have been introduced. Thus, there is erosion of traditions and since, there are new things to look forward to, there are also beliefs and practices that have to be abandoned or left behind.
This movie written by Aloy Adlawan is directed by Maryo de Los Reyes as his entry to this year’s Sining Pambansa, All Masters’ Edition National Film Festival. It is his tribute to his roots, particularly to his mother who hails in Alicia, Bohol; to the memories of his childhood visits to this island province; to its rich heritage and traditions; to its lushness and beautiful landscapes, and most especially to its people. The film will also be a tribute to the children of the world whose dreams and aspirations we have to hear and listen to and eventually help realize.

MOVIE PLOT: Omel played by Ruru Madrid is a teenager who lived his life by the river dancing and singing to tourist. He is kind, approachable, generous, intelligent, industrious, trustworthy, obedient, dependable, and optimistic and is a good-humour person. His simple life by the river turned around when he decides to go the city- Tagbilaran City to work for his family. As a typical Boholano boy, he resembles such good traits. He really works hard and easily gets promoted. Omel is an example of a true Boholano character that is dedicated not just to his work but also to his family. A native of Bohol who goes back to the province impoverished after losing her husband through a tragic death, for her husband committed suicide not to accept their loss and cannot live in just a simple life is played by Mylene Dizon as Sandra, however, Irma Adlawan as Berta is a tourist guide volunteer in the Abatan River cruise. Both Sandra and Berta is a mother. Eric, Sandras’ son and Omel, Bertas’ son. They both love their child. Sandra and her family used to live a rich life in Manila but gets down when her husband died, Berta, in the other hand, just live a simple life by the river and succeed when her son was discovered in one of the well known TV program- Prodige. Sandra and Berta have very different character exposure in the movie but they could get their similarities as a certified Boholana. Andong is played by Spanky Manikan. He is Omel’s grandfather. Omel called him Papong, the one who taught Omel to dance and sing for the tourists. Since he was a child, he always goes sailing by the river. Andong’s objective in the movie is all for his grandson. He wanted Omel not to limit his God given gifts. He wanted Omel to show his talent to others and use this as an extra income, too. He wanted Omel to be dependent enough and live by his own in the city. He wanted Omel to succeed and let them live happy and eternal with her mother Berta. And yes! Omel gets Lolo Andong’s entire wish for him. Eric is Sandra’s spoiled son who has adapted to the changing behaviour of his lifestyle because of technology and the demands of the new age. Sandra and Eric had a hard time to move on from their devastating life in Manila. Sandra could not accept what her husband did to them. Moreover, Sandra don’t know how to let Eric just live a simple life in Bohol. She sends Eric at a public school and Eric made a big adjustment. Crying on those happy memories in their pictures, Eric saw Sandra how much she hated what happen. Both talk to each other, then Sandra finds out that Eric was there when the incident took place, that all the sudden it was not just Sandra that can recall and reminish all of those times. Both realize that they need to move on and let those times passed away and live just the way they are now. Bingo played by Miggs Cuaderno is a classmate of Eric who once he bullies. Time flies, and Bingo became Eric’s best friend. It’s the reality of childhood when two hate each other at first and later on became the best of friends. They are comfortable to be together assuming that they have the same family experience. They really relate to each other. They laugh, they cry, they play and even they exchange gifts in lieu of the cheapness and expensiveness of things. Luis (Orlando Sol) is a son of a farmer who studies Nautical or Marine Technology but he can’t seem to pass his final exams. He feels disappointed every time he takes exams without passing it. He always asks his professor to let him pass but professor don’t give what he want. Every time he fails, he drinks all night with his friends. As an urban migrant, Luis was challenged and just decided to stop his studies and live in their town instead. Yet, Omel on the city who works at an Electronics Store is only assign in a stock area. Once he was ask to be assigned at the more public area, he accepted the task and more customers get in. Some made a video when he was singing and he was discovered on the television. Omel get successful when he was in the city. There are a lot of character decisions which I believe are particularly good. Berta’s decision to let Omel work in the city and be away from her would be one. Omel’s decision to accept the proposal given to him by the TV program- Prodige which made him more successful by his nice voice would be also one. Sandra’s decision to goes back in Bohol and let live a simple life with her son Eric. Another is Luis decision to live in his hometown and be a farmer in their land. Also, Dolores (Max Collins) decision not to go with the old tourist who offers her an opportunity of a lifetime and live with her boyfriend Luis instead, would be the best of them all. According to Lolo Andong, when he was still a child he hears the sound of the silver bells (pilak na bagting). When the bell rings, it will be heard up to the five near towns, Maribojoc, Cortes. For him, its significance is that if there is something you can show more, and then do so. Nor, as stated by Berta when she was having a lecture to the tourists along the river, she said that “When the flower blooms, the bamboo dies.” It simply means that if there is something say hi, there must also be something to say goodbye. In terms of Bohol culture, the movie reveals how Boholano accept and entertain well tourist, how good memories brings about when one visits the island province, how Boholano love and save the rich heritage and traditions, how Boholano maintain the lushness and beautiful landscapes and above all it is how Bohol made because of these Boholano people. Maybe, the most challenging scene in the movie was when Dolores faces the choice whether she’ll go with the old tourist in USA or stay in Bohol with her boyfriend. Then the most heartbreaking scene was when Omel was singing in his grand finals and his Papong was sailing in the river alone trying to reach the bamboo flower and suddenly fell down. PRODUCTION: Of the scenery, lights, props, costumes and physicality of actors, the strongest effect would be the scenery and the physicality of the actors. Scenery, for the one who watch the movie especially when a Boholano, because it helps realize the place and the setting of the story. It adds development to the movie; also advertise well known tourist spots in Bohol. Physicality of the actors because it is in the actors and actresses on how they deliver the play and how they portray their individual characters. However all of these elements, the scenery, lights, props, costumes and physicality of actors, contribute to the development of the movie. In absence of one, the movie could not be perfect or great as it is. There should be the oneness of the elements to make a productive movie. With the addition of the music and sound element, the movie will sure reinforce the mood and atmosphere of the story. Movie watcher can easily understand the flow of the story, some can also relate, too. Given a chance to recommend the movie or should I say play the movie, it would be possibly me. It should be me for I also have a great life experience which is worth sharing, for I have a life full of challenges which surely teenager can relate to, and for I have many sacrifices in life which made me a better person and made me a successful one, the one whose dreams and aspirations reach its goals. Bamboo Flower is really a great movie to all Boholano and the island province itself. This movie serves as the major remembrance before Bohol suffers from the killing earthquake last October 15. A million thanks to the writer, director, producer and all of the staff of the said movie. You made a great job! Thumbs up!