Panaghoy sa Suba
Encyclopedia
Panaghoy sa Suba, titled "The Call of the River" in English, also referred to as "Cry of the River" is a 2004 film
2004 in film
The year 2004 in film involved some significant events. Major releases of sequels took place. It included blockbuster films like Shrek 2, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, The Passion of the Christ, Meet the Fockers, Blade: Trinity, Spider-Man 2, Alien vs. Predator, Kill Bill Vol...

 produced, directed and starred by Filipino
Filipino people
The Filipino people or Filipinos are an Austronesian ethnic group native to the islands of the Philippines. There are about 92 million Filipinos in the Philippines, and about 11 million living outside the Philippines ....

 actor Cesar Montano
César Montano
Cesar Manhilot, known by his screen name Cesar Montano, is a multi-awarded Filipino actor and film director.He started in show business as a stuntman. He played roles in numerous B movies...

. It features Filipino
Filipino people
The Filipino people or Filipinos are an Austronesian ethnic group native to the islands of the Philippines. There are about 92 million Filipinos in the Philippines, and about 11 million living outside the Philippines ....

 actors Juliana Palermo, Jackie Woo, Phil Anthony, Caridad Sanchez, Joel Torre, Daria Ramirez, Ronnie Lazaro, Suzette Ranillo, Rommel Montano, Dr. Warfe Engracia, Ramon Villanueva, Chelo Espina, Flora Gasser, Disi Alba and Rebecca Lusterio.

It is an epic story set during the American Occupation (1898–1942) and the Japanese Occupation (1942–1945), shot amidst the virgin splendor of the island province of Bohol
Bohol
Bohol is an island province of the Philippines located in the Central Visayas region, consisting of Bohol Island and 75 minor surrounding islands. Its capital is Tagbilaran City. With a land area of and a coastline long, Bohol is the tenth largest island of the Philippines...

, Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...

, mostly along and around the Loboc River, which plays a significant role in the story. It is a mixture of action, drama, romance, and history.

The film is Cesar Montano
César Montano
Cesar Manhilot, known by his screen name Cesar Montano, is a multi-awarded Filipino actor and film director.He started in show business as a stuntman. He played roles in numerous B movies...

's directorial debut with an almost entirely Visayan
Cebuano people
The Cebuano people , are a Visayan ethnic group in Cebu and form the second largest cultural-linguistic group in the Philippines.-History:...

 cast, and together with young film maker R.D. Alba, one of the movie's producers who studied film in Hollywood, they made perhaps the biggest film ever to be shot in its entirety in the Visayas
Visayas
The Visayas or Visayan Islands and locally known as Kabisay-an gid, is one of the three principal geographical divisions of the Philippines, along with Mindanao and Luzon. It consists of several islands, primarily surrounding the Visayan Sea, although the Visayas are considered the northeast...

. The film, intended for both national and international exhibition, boldly used Visayan as the main language.

It was given an "A" rating by the Cinema Evaluation Board or CEB of the Film Development Council of the Philippines and was CM Films' entry to the 2004 Metro Manila Film Festival
Metro Manila Film Festival
upright|thumb|320px|Metro Manila Film Festival Official LogoThe Metro Manila Film Festival-Philippines is the annual film festival held in Manila...

. The CEB described Cesar Montano's direction as "meticulous but light-handed." It turned "a somewhat rambling and slow screenplay into a poetic, sometimes even magical, current of silent struggle and survival."

The Call of the River is a multiple award-winner. It has bagged Second Best Picture (to Mano Po 3), Best Director, Best Supporting Actress, Best Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Musical Score, Gatpuno Villegas Cultural Award at the Metro Manila Film Festival, 2004; and Best Actor, Best Supporting Actress at Gawad Suri Awards, Manila, 2005.

Panaghoy sa Suba, which garnered 16 awards and 11 nominations including 5 from the Metro Manila Film Festival
Metro Manila Film Festival
upright|thumb|320px|Metro Manila Film Festival Official LogoThe Metro Manila Film Festival-Philippines is the annual film festival held in Manila...

, was also given an endorsement by the UNESCO
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...

. It was named Best Picture at the "International Festival of Independent Films" held in Brussels
Brussels
Brussels , officially the Brussels Region or Brussels-Capital Region , is the capital of Belgium and the de facto capital of the European Union...

, Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...

. Montano was also chosen Best Director. In addition, Montano also won Best Actor in Panaghoy sa Suba in the Golden Screen Awards.

Panaghoy sa Suba was invited as an exhibition in the Tous les Cinemas du Monde (Movies of the World) at the Cannes Film Festival
Cannes Film Festival
The Cannes International Film Festival , is an annual film festival held in Cannes, France, which previews new films of all genres including documentaries from around the world. Founded in 1946, it is among the world's most prestigious and publicized film festivals...

 in 2005. It has also been invited for exhibition in other international film festivals in Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...

, Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...

, Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...

, Korea
Korea
Korea ) is an East Asian geographic region that is currently divided into two separate sovereign states — North Korea and South Korea. Located on the Korean Peninsula, Korea is bordered by the People's Republic of China to the northwest, Russia to the northeast, and is separated from Japan to the...

 and in the Czech Republic
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Poland to the northeast, Slovakia to the east, Austria to the south, and Germany to the west and northwest....

’s "Karlo Vary Film Festival". It was shown at the Shanghai International Film Festival on June 11 to 19, 2005—its second international screening after Cannes (World Cinema category, non-competition). Panaghoy was also shown at the New Delhi’s Asian Festival of Asian Cinema on July 15 to 24, 2005.

Plot

The film tells the story of a love-triangle set in Bohol
Bohol
Bohol is an island province of the Philippines located in the Central Visayas region, consisting of Bohol Island and 75 minor surrounding islands. Its capital is Tagbilaran City. With a land area of and a coastline long, Bohol is the tenth largest island of the Philippines...

 during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...

; though the main underlying themes deals with Filipino nationalism and the legacies of colonialism.

The story takes place on the island province of Bohol
Bohol
Bohol is an island province of the Philippines located in the Central Visayas region, consisting of Bohol Island and 75 minor surrounding islands. Its capital is Tagbilaran City. With a land area of and a coastline long, Bohol is the tenth largest island of the Philippines...

, located in Central Visayas
Central Visayas
Central Visayas, designated as Region VII, is a region of the Philippines located in the central part of the Visayas island group. It consists of four provinces—Bohol, Cebu, Negros Oriental, and Siquijor— and the highly urbanized cities of Cebu City, Lapu-Lapu City, and Mandaue City....

, before and during the Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...

ese Occupation of the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...

. Duroy (played by Cesar Montano) is a banca
Banca
-Places:* Bangka Island, an island lying east of Sumatra, part of Indonesia* Banca, Pyrénées-Atlantiques, a commune of the Pyrénées-Atlantiques département, France* Banca, Vaslui, a commune in Vaslui County, Romania...

-operator-turned-guerrilla who is in love with Iset (played by Juliana Palermo), the most bewitching girl in a village where the main thoroughfare is the river. Iset is an obedient child whose father and materialistic aunt hope that she will marry the American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

 businessman she works for, and thereby marry "up" into wealth and status instead of marrying one of the hard-working Filipino village men.

The resident American businessman, John Smith (played by Philip Anthony), is an abusive, rude and stingy landowner, but he has taken notice of Iset's beauty and is interested in her—although it is not clear if he is considering her as a wife or merely as a mistress. Iset, however, has made it plain that she likes Duroy who she asked to express his love in a letter. Duroy takes his time in trying to win the love of his life, but Ibô (Reiven Bulado), Duroy's brother, is also smitten with Iset and moves more quickly. Since Duroy adores his family and does not want to get in his brother's way, he stops courting Iset.

Duroy is devoted to his family, who now only consists of his mother (Daria Ramirez), Ibô and his sister, Bikay (multi-awarded former child star Rebecca Lusterio
Rebecca Lusterio
Rebecca Lusterio is a Gawad Urian and FAMAS award-winning Filipino actress.-Biography:...

). Duroy's father left them earlier to go off with an American (This last plot element is not conveyed in the film's English subtitles). Heartbroken and ill, Duroy's mother eventually dies when they have no more money to buy medicine.

Smith sees Ibo talking with Iset at the warehouse and fires him on the spot. Ibo tries to kill Smith. Smith successfully fights for his life and kills Ibo in self-defense instead. Duroy vows revenge.

When the Japanese invasion begins, Mr. Smith is drafted into the American army and has to leave the village. The commander of Japanese forces that garrison the village after the Americans are defeated also notices Iset, and her aunt makes plans to marry Iset to the Japanese officer. Meanwhile, many of the men flee to the mountains while the women and children remain with the American priest
Priest
A priest is a person authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in particular, rites of sacrifice to, and propitiation of, a deity or deities...

 in the village.

Several years pass. Duroy and his men in the mountains launch an attack against the Japanese garrison
Garrison
Garrison is the collective term for a body of troops stationed in a particular location, originally to guard it, but now often simply using it as a home base....

. The Japanese respond by taking hostages and killing the priest. Eventually a mixed group of Filipino and American troops arrive in Bohol
Bohol
Bohol is an island province of the Philippines located in the Central Visayas region, consisting of Bohol Island and 75 minor surrounding islands. Its capital is Tagbilaran City. With a land area of and a coastline long, Bohol is the tenth largest island of the Philippines...

 to help the Boholano guerrilla force defeat the Japanese troops during the Second Battle of Bohol in 1945.

Duroy kills the Japanese commander—his new rival for Iset's hand—after a long fight in the village.

Smith (mockingly dubbed "White Balls" by Duroy and his friends) returns after the war over expecting life to continue as it was before the Japanese invasion. Duroy attacks him, beats him up and humiliates him but stops short of killing him. Iset refuses Smith's clumsy offer to renew their relationship and chooses Duroy.

The end implies a once-more blossoming romance
Romantic love
Romance is the pleasurable feeling of excitement and mystery associated with love.In the context of romantic love relationships, romance usually implies an expression of one's love, or one's deep emotional desires to connect with another person....

 between Iset and Duroy.

Cast

  • Cesar Montano
    César Montano
    Cesar Manhilot, known by his screen name Cesar Montano, is a multi-awarded Filipino actor and film director.He started in show business as a stuntman. He played roles in numerous B movies...

     - Duroy
  • Juliana Palermo - Iset
  • Reiven Bulado - Ibô (Duroy's brother)
  • Daria Ramirez - Duroy's mother
  • Rebecca Lusterio - Bikay (Duroy's sister)
  • Jackie Woo - Fumio Okohara (Japanese Army officer)
  • Philip Anthony (as Phil Anthony) - John Smith
  • Caridad Sanchez - Aunt Lahi
  • Joel Torre - Damian
  • Ronnie Lazaro -
  • Suzette Ranillo - a nun
  • Rommel Montano -
  • Dr. Warfe Engracia -
  • Ramon Villanueva -
  • Chelo Espina -
  • Disi Alba -

Analysis

The story of Iset and Duroy is a beautiful tale of the patience and faithfulness of true love. Duroy never ceases to love the object of his affections and continues to respect her despite the rejection and prejudice her snobbish family displays towards working-class Filipinos. Iset, for her part, though wooed by wealthy and/or powerful foreign suitors, remains attached to Duroy. She follows him even into the mountains, risking the safety of the rebels.

Iset is an image of the Philippines. It is for her that Filipino men such as Duroy and his brother fight and die for. Her affections/natural resources are sought by foreigners, but her true fulfillment is found in loving her own.

It is a poignant statement against colonial mentality. The aunt is as willing to marry off Iset to a Japanese officer as to an American business man. Ironically, the primary American character, John Smith, is less likable than the Japanese Army officer in command of the Japanese garrison; Okohara seems sincere when he talks about marrying Iset and taking her to Japan with him when the war is over even though this seems as much his personal fantasy as a realistic plan of action given the Japanese racial prejudices of the period. A confrontation between in the mountains between Duroy's men and the American forces who have come to "liberate" the Philippines articulates the Filipinos' feelings that they don't need—or much want—the foreigners help in defeating the Japanese, and that they will not allow the Americans to resume their pre-1942 role as colonial overlords.

Beautiful Islands

Panaghoy sa Suba was shot in Bohol
Bohol
Bohol is an island province of the Philippines located in the Central Visayas region, consisting of Bohol Island and 75 minor surrounding islands. Its capital is Tagbilaran City. With a land area of and a coastline long, Bohol is the tenth largest island of the Philippines...

. The scenes showing the beauty and bounty of the river clearly speak of Cesar's love for his country. The fact that the film was almost entirely spoken in Visayan made it clear that it was a tribute to Cesar's heritage as a Filipino and a Visayan.

The scenes at the old church, the market and the river all show the traditional culture of the Visayans, their life and their concerns. It shows a simple life, but also one that is vulnerable to the temptation of having a "better life". Iset's Aunt Lahi (Caridad Sanchez) plays her role convincingly and naturally. She is the one who seeks a better life for Iset by trying to marry her off to whatever rich and powerful foreigner is available.

Bikay is a revelation. The young actress gives life to every scene in which she appears. Her face is expressive, her dialogue effective and her youthful charm captivating. She is a lovely Visayan child, dedicated to her brother and devoted to her mother. She is a picture of Filipino women, who are still bound by close family ties with love and no mere sense of obligation.

Panaghoy sa Suba is like a love song proceeding from the deep recesses of a nationalistic soul. It reaches the ears of its viewers with a simple yet touching chord that makes one want to sing along.

Awards

  • Metro Manila Film Festival
    Metro Manila Film Festival
    upright|thumb|320px|Metro Manila Film Festival Official LogoThe Metro Manila Film Festival-Philippines is the annual film festival held in Manila...

    , 2004 (won)
    • Best Screenplay - Cris Vertido (won)
    • Best Cinematography - Ely Cruz (won)
    • Best Musical Score - Nonong Buencamino (won)
    • Best Supporting Actress - Rebecca Lusterio (won)
    • Gatpuno Antonio J. Villegas Cultural Award - CM Films (won)
    • Best Director - Cesar Montano
      César Montano
      Cesar Manhilot, known by his screen name Cesar Montano, is a multi-awarded Filipino actor and film director.He started in show business as a stuntman. He played roles in numerous B movies...

       (won)
    • Best Picture (2nd place)
  • Film Academy of the Philippine Awards, or FAP, Philippines 2005
    • Best Cinematography - Ely Cruz (won)
    • Best Musical Scoring - Nonog Buencamino (won)
    • Best Screenplay - Cris Vertido (won)
    • Best Director - Cesar Montano
      César Montano
      Cesar Manhilot, known by his screen name Cesar Montano, is a multi-awarded Filipino actor and film director.He started in show business as a stuntman. He played roles in numerous B movies...

       (nominated)
    • Best Picture (nominated)
    • Best Sound (nominated)
    • Best Supporting Actor - Ronnie Lazaro(nominated)
    • Best Supporting Actress - Daria Ramirez(nominated)
  • Gawad Urian Awards, 2005
    • Best Actor - Cesar Montano
      César Montano
      Cesar Manhilot, known by his screen name Cesar Montano, is a multi-awarded Filipino actor and film director.He started in show business as a stuntman. He played roles in numerous B movies...

       (won)
    • Best Cinematography - Ely Cruz (won)
    • Best Direction - Cesar Montano
      César Montano
      Cesar Manhilot, known by his screen name Cesar Montano, is a multi-awarded Filipino actor and film director.He started in show business as a stuntman. He played roles in numerous B movies...

      (won)
    • Best Music - Nonog Buencamino (won)
    • Best Picture - (won)
    • Best Sound - (won)
    • Best Editing - Renato de Leon (nominated)
    • Best Production Design (Pinakamahusay na Disenyong Pamproduksiyon) - Allan Leyres and Ron Heri Tan (nominated)
    • Best Screenplay (Pinakamahusay na Dulang Pampelikula) - Cris Vertido(nominated)
    • Best Supporting Actor (Pinakamahusay na Pangalawang Aktor) - Jacky Woo (nominated)
    • Best Supporting Actress (Pinakamahusay na Pangalawang Aktres) - Rebecca Lusterio (nominated)
    • Best Supporting Actress (Pinakamahusay na Pangalawang Aktres) - Juliana Palermo(nominated)

External links

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