Richard Kuipers of Variety.com quoted, "The Portrait"
proves a handsomely produced big screen adaptation of Nick Joaquin's revered
play." While Lawrence Harmon, former Urban Affairs and Political Columnist
of Boston Globe wrote," Portrait provides a deep history lesson set off by
a soaring score and crisp libretto. This is no light operetta. Instead, it is a
searing musical journey into complex lives and emotions of fading Filipino
members of the upper class." Manny, The Movie Guy, The Filipino Channel
said. "Ang Larawan, has beautiful cinematography and intricate
storytelling that swells up to an emotional crescendo...It's a thoughtful and
powerful elegy on the death of Old Manila."
The painstaking years of pre-production, production and
post-production for executive producers Celeste, Rachel and Girlie ended with a
big, bang as the very first full-length musical film in Filipino was included
in the annual Metro Manila Film Festival. ANG LARAWAN, a musical film based
from an original play in three-act, A Portrait Of The Artist As Filipino, by National Artist for Literature Nick
Joaquin, translated by National Artist for Theater and Literature Rolando Tinio
and directed by Loy Arcenas (Niño and REquime) is an official entry to the MMFF
of Musicat, Inc. Shot in the beautiful wall of Intramuros and in an ancestral
house in Taal, it tells the story of Candida and Paula set against the backdrop
of World War II, struggling for their lives along with Don Lorenzo Marasigan,
their ailing artist father amidst war and public scrutiny. Marasigan sisters
experienced hardships when her father abruptly stopped painting and later got
ill.
It centers on the last portrait of Don Lorenzo whether it
will be sold to maintain the house. Larawan is an ode to the passing of the
world of truth and beauty and a celebration of the tenacity of the spirit
amidst the rise of materialism and consumerism. ANG LARAWAN opens in theater
nationwide on Christmas day. The film was a Finalist, Asian Future Prize Award
at the 30th Tokyo International Film Festival and the Opening Film, at the 2017
Cinematografo International Film Festival in San Francisco prelude to its
official local screening. Already graded "A" by all eleven members of
Cinema Evaluation Board (CEB), the film received unanimous highest regard.
A Spanish colonial house, a street and the century old San
Agustin Church became the perfect location and a brilliant idea as the twisted
story of Marasigan sisters unfolded. Loy Arcenas being a New York theater set
designer and director, meticulously utilized, used and maximized the limited
location for this period storytelling. Every part in the house tells a story,
depicts a subject and symbolizes a character. Carefully and beautifully timed
and angled shots were visually and perfectly edited and captured. The manner on
how Arcenas executed those shots were very Les Miserables in nature. Joanna
Ampil deserved an acting award as Candida. Her exhausting and tiring
interpretation in film whether verbal or nonverbal, heavenly touching, moving,
haunting and convincing, truly world class. Since joining in the 1998
restaging, Rachel Alejandro has grown up maturely in terms of acting on both
theater and film. Reprising as Paula was specifically tailored for her, she
owned it singing and acting per se. A perfect choice. After so much
anticipation as Tony Javier, hunk Paulo Avelino was a revelation. Not with the
singing though, but in terms of acting. Perfectly as a man with hidden
motives and unclear ambitions.
Ang Larawan housed stellar and acclaimed Filipino actors from
both stage and screen. It is the first full-length feature film of West End
star international recording artist Joanna Ampil as Candida. Rachel Alejandro
was too young when she first played Paula in the stage musical. Twenty years
later, she was the right age to portray Paula in the screen adaptation.
Heartthrob Paulo Avelino portrayed Tony Javier, a boarder whom Candida and
Paula accepted to have a source of income. Theater actor Sandino Martin as a
friend reporter Bitoy Camacho examined the painting, the role originated by
Roeder Camañag. Cris Villonco who played Patsy in the 1998 musical appeared as
Susan along with Aicelle Santos as Violet, both vaudeville artists who
desiredly fantasized Tony Javier.
Stage stalwarts Nonie Buencamino and Menchu Launchengco-Yulo
are the Marasigan siblings, Manolo and Pepang. Robert Arevalo as Senator
Perico, wholeheartedly convinced the Marasigan sisters to stay in the house and
take care their sick artist father was married to Doña Loleng portrayed by
Celeste Legaspi whom Carla Martinez originated from the stage. Producer and
actress Celeste Legaspi originated the role of Candida and reprised it in 1998
restaging along with Ricky Davao, the original Tony Javier. Cara Manglapus as
Patsy, a young jazz singer and daughter of Don Perico and Doña Loleng. Zsa Zsa
Padilla who originated the role of Paula from the musical stage version
portrayed Elsa Montes whom the beautiful actress Dawn Zulueta played onstage, a
Filipina socialite from New York and Rayver Cruz as Charlie Dacanay, being both
friends of Doña Loleng.
The participation of Ogie Alcasid as policeman Tinio was a
great shift and contradicting from his usual sidekick and comedic role made it
hilariously beautiful along with Jojit Lorenzo as policeman Bernal. The rousing
finale scene became a gathering of veteraned and seasoned actors from
television, film and stage. Actress and film producer Armida Siguion-Reyna
originated the role of Doña Upeng, but in the film Dulce made an impressive
interpretation. Nanette Inventor as Doña Irene, Jaime Fabregas as Don Aristeo,
Bernardo Bernardo as Don Alvaro, Noel Trinidad as Don Miguel and Leo Rialp as
Don Lorenzo Marasigan. Other notable actors and actresses who made a cameo
appearance were Mikee Cojuangco Jaworski who played Patsy in the stage version,
Ricky Davao, Toma Cayabyab, Martin del Rosario, Ryan Cayabyab and Emmy
Cayabyab.
Loy Arcenas (Director), Celeste Legaspi Gallardo, Rachel
Alejandro and Girlie Rodis (Executive Producers), Rolando Tinio, National
Artist for Theater and Literature (Librettist), Ryan Cayabyab conducted The
ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra (Music and Score), Hit Productions (Sound),
Lawrence Fajardo (Editor), Boy Yñiguez (Cinematography), Marilen Magsaysay
(Colorist), Gino Gonzales (Production Design) and Alemberg Ang (Producer)
Showing nationwide in the Philippines on December 25, official entry to Metro Manila Film Festival. For updates:
www.anglarawan.com or at Facebook/AngLarawanTheMovie
Text and event photos by Gilbert Kim Sancha.
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