TAT’s All, Folks!

Tonight was a night of firsts. It was also a much-needed respite from the mundane. I was, among other things, a fulfilled and unabashed groupie. The most fun part was that all these happened quite unexpectedly.

Some weeks ago, I met with my friend and colleague, Celia Sandejas. She was raving about her son, Mike, the writer-director-producer of this year’s Cinemalaya Best Picture – Tulad ng Dati – a semi-fictitious movie about the journey of The Dawn, a 20-year old band that is certainly fascinating and familiar to my generation. I missed its CCP showing and made Celia promise to inform me if it comes to the UP Film Institute. Tonight was its debut in my neighborhood and I was ready to watch a movie-cum-concert spectacle. I was not disappointed.

Celia, along with Mike and his wife, May, were my gracious and cool travel guides (and fellow groupies!) into the world of moviemaking. I was amazed at how Mike apparently wrote the script in just six days and churned out this winner in 17 days of filming. Hanging out with them and eating turon before the movie began, I already got a glimpse of its charm.

Jett Pangan was effective in his portrayal of a belated coming-of-age rock star, while Agot Isidro who played his wife was the perfect balance to the sometimes maddening world of gigs and simply trying to eke out a living in the music industry. I especially loved their duet of Kahit Isang Panaginip Lang, a raw and sentimental acoustic rendition that was actually one of three scenes that made me cry.

All the members of The Dawn who played themselves were also a revelation. My favorite was their lead guitarist, Francis ‘Kiko’ Reyes, whose sobering humor and unexpected outbursts just made me guffaw the longest. This movie elevates itself from the current crop of reality shows in how it allows the viewer to actually ride with The Dawn’s rollercoaster journey from the past towards their band’s emerging destiny. Ping Medina, who plays Teddy Diaz, the deceased band member, rendered a steadying poignant voice as the visiting philosopher on board. His questions, although addressed to Jett, were certainly familiar to our 30-something-tribe years.

As events unfold, The Dawn’s music pervades the theatre with force. I am driven back to memories of Enveloped Ideas and to the sheer exhilaration of being a part of a gaddam-good-jam! I strongly felt the urge to stand up and clap and just show appreciation for the fantastic showdown between The Dawn and the movie’s rock star antagonists, Ratbunitata. What a trip!!!

The UP Film Institute was filled (to the brim!) with a substantial number of young college students – many of whom may not have known of The Dawn 20 years back. But I’m sure that like me, they all could not wait to get hold of The Dawn’s album (which Mike told me will contain all the songs in the movie and will be launched this month!) and create their own memories to relive in the future. Many came out smiling and energized, and I’m sure, wanting some more. I was all this and to officially mark my groupie accreditation, I got a photo op with Mike’s family and Alchris Galura, this year’s Best Actor from another award-winning Cinemalaya film, Batad.

Afterwards, Mike, May and Celia (thanks, dears!!!) treated me to dinner and to a gamut of stories, and meanings and nuances of the film’s memorable scenes. Whaddahey, my debriefing (ha ha) was the best! Truth is also, indeed, stranger than fiction.

I can’t wait to watch this again, preferably with a group of friends under a canopy of stars with the film projected on a white wall and us drinking to The Dawn’s music as the evening unfolds. Now that’s groupie heaven!

Tatine G. Faylona
08 August 2006
UP Diliman

Cinemalaya films are currently showing at the UP Film Institute, UP Diliman, Quezon City. Tulad ng Dati will again be shown this Thursday, 10 August, 9 PM. A reliable source told me that The Dawn may come on this date. I can’t wait for that party to begin!

You can also check out these sites…

http://www.cinemalaya.org/index.php?bn=2

http://postcardsfromnowhere.blogspot.com/ (by Earnest Zabala, wife of Buddy)

http://thedawnrocks.multiply.com/ http://www.thedawn.ph/main.html

http://kaleidosky.multiply.com/ http://dollyrockmuse.livejournal.com/

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