The UP Diliman (UPD) Office of Community Relations (OCR) held the second part of its Pelikomunidad Film Series (Pelikomunidad) with a screening of National Artist for Film Lino Brocka’s Bayan Ko: Kapit sa Patalim (Bayan Ko) at the UP Film Institute Film Center Videotheque on Oct. 23.
Co-presented with the All UP Academic Employees Union (AUPAEU) under the leadership of the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Community Affairs, the story of Bayan Ko revolves around Arturo “Turing” Manalastas (played by Philip Salvador), a print hop worker. His circumstances and political naïveté during a workers’ strike drove him to commit robbery, with tragic results.
After the screening, the audience consisting of a mix of film students, members of the community, and faculty members were engaged in an open forum with guest reactors including activist Bonifacio Ilagan, Sarah Jane Raymundo (an assistant professor at the Center for International Studies), and AUAEU Vice President for Faculty Rommel Rodriguez.
Also present at the screening was Vice Chancellor for Community Affairs Roehl L. Jamon, who enjoined those present to open their minds beyond their comfort zone through the movie.
“Nais kong manood kayo ng pelikula na iniisip na ‘ano ba iyong maaari kong makita na hindi ko na napapansin o pinapansin?’ ‘Ano iyong imahe na palaging nasa utak ko pero iba ang sinasalamin ng pelikula?’ Pangatlo, makisilip tayo, makidungaw tayo, sa mundong labas sa ating karanasan, at pang-apat, pasukin natin ang pinto at samahan natin iyong danas ng mga karakter sa pelikula. Dahil ang pelikulang ito, maski 1984 pa siya, hindi siya nalalayo sa realidad natin ngayon,” he said.
The first installment of Pelikomunidad was held on Oct. 14 at Pook Arboretum attended by roughly 150 residents as well as Film 12 students.
Pelikomunidad is one of the activities the OCR organized in celebration of its 41st anniversary and of the Academic Union Month and OCR Month.