My Bwakaw Aftemath

Photo Source: Cinemalaya.com

I have always been a fan of independent films. My Literature professors in PNU have trained us well in being able to see a film more than its commercial value. I always look forward to Cinemalaya movies. I see to it that I get to watch at least one of its entries every year. For more information about Cinemalaya, take time to see this. 

One of its Director’s Showcase entries is Bwakaw directed by Jun Robles Lana. The movie is about a grumpy old man, Rene, living the last days of his life in irony - live to wait for death. 

Photo Source: Interaksyon.com

Last Saturday, my friends and I weathered the heavy downpour to watch Bwakaw in Trinoma. Needless to say, the movie was graced by the brilliant acting of veteran actors like Eddie Garcia, Rez Cortez, Bibeth Orteza, Beverly Salviejo, Armida Segion-Reyna, Gardo Versoza, Soxie Topacio and a lot more. Equally brilliant, is the Aspin (asong Pinoy or Filipino native dog), Princess - the dog who played Bwakaw. We couldn't stop commenting about her over-the-top acting while watching the movie. Human actors can learn from her. I later found out that Princess is a highly-trained bomb sniffing dog. Hail to Aspins!

More than the brilliant acting was the story of the movie which I will try hard to conceal as I write this. 

The greatest part of the story is showcasing the friendship between the human and the dog. It was the kind of relationship developed by circumstances. It wasn't planned. It just happened. It was a decision the human had to make. I bet the dog didn't even have to think about it.  

Nurturing the friendship, just like any relationship, every single day is another decision to make; especially in a human-dog friendship where the dog cannot really give you anything material in return. If things get rough, there's that choice to give up the dog. If bills pile up because of medical concerns or everyday expenses, and you know you can't even fend for yourself, it is so easy to just give up and let the dog survive on its own. But as you show concern one circumstance at a time, you also invest time and emotion. As you decide to rub that tummy the dog shows you, you also make a decision to think less of yourself and more of your dog. As The Little Prince puts it,   It's the time you put on your rose that makes your rose so important and You become responsible, forever, for what you have tamed. 

The plot of the story thickens when Princess falls ill.  (That's the last spoiler you'll get!) In Rene's struggle to keep Princess alive, he also finds his own reasons to continue to live life. 

If you have a pet, be prepared to love your pet even more after watching this movie. I hugged my pets tight when I got home. If you don't and you are thinking of getting one, please bear in mind that having a pet is a lifetime decision. It is not a passing fascination or fad. Remember, you become responsible, forever, for what you have tamed.