Welcome to What to Watch Right Now, our weekly rundown of the best things to watch right now. The constant stream of shows, videos, and films to watch online can become a sludge to wade through, so here are a few things you can watch courtesy of the Rolling Stone Philippines team.
This week, we revisited several of National Artist for Film Lino Brocka’s films, all of which were made during his time with Viva Films. Some of them, like the ones we’ve put together for this list, tended to be a little over-the-top (or very). Cheating spouses, love triangles, and bloody lovers’ quarrels all colored these offerings from the filmmaker, with some of his most favored muses — Hilda Koronel and Christopher de Leon, to name a few — leading the charge. For your viewing pleasure, we’ve rounded up three of our favorites from this period of Brocka’s career, and we hope you appreciate just how dramatic they get as much as we do.
‘Gumapang Ka sa Lusak’
Do I need to know what Eddie Garcia sounded like when he moaned? No, but now I do after watching Gumapang Ka sa Lusak. In the film, Garcia plays the evil Mayor Edmundo, who’s using his power and wealth to both secure himself a place in Congress and play sugar daddy to Dina Bonnevie’s Rachel, an actress who, try as she might, can do nothing to escape Edmundo’s tight grasp. However, Rachel realizes that she can use her lover’s connections in her favor — specifically, to get her real beloved, Levi (played by Christopher De Leon rocking a gorgeous mullet), out of prison.
Although a lot of Gumapang Ka sa Lusak leans on the side of melodramatic — at one point, Charo Santos-Concio, playing the mayor’s cruel wife, sings a whole ballad while staring melancholically at her husband holding his mistress — Brocka, his cast, and his writer (National Artist for Broadcast Arts Ricky Lee!) are so effective in their craft that you can’t help but be swept up in the drama. —Mel Wang
‘Babangon Ako’t Dudurugin Kita’
Said to be the superior Sharon Cuneta and Lino Brocka collaboration, Babangon Ako’t Dudurugin Kita — the title alone is a scream — is anchored by award-wanting performances from Brocka’s muses. Christopher De Leon plays Alfred, an ambitious businessman who marries Salve (Cuneta) for her father’s connections. Salve is simple, content in serving her husband. But said husband wants something more in his life. While applying for a job, he meets the company owner, Via (Hilda Koronel), who takes one look at Alfred and hires him on the spot. Of course, it’s out of… lust? Via and Alfred conspire to get Salve out of the equation, staging a rape (courtesy of William Lorenzo) and then making it look like Salve is cheating on Alfred. Yikes.
Barrio lass Salve, at weepy rock bottom, is saved by mafia lord Rod (Bembol Roco), dresses her up, teaches her how to shoot, and gives her a perm so she can take her revenge on Via, Alfred, and her rapist. Adapted from a Gilda Olvidado story, Brocka makes a Viva classic with one unhinged turn after another. Revenge has a pretty face, and in this case, it’s Ate Shawie with a gun, holding it like she’s in a ‘70s spaghetti western. The best. —Don Jaucian
‘Maging Akin Ka Lamang’
The best way I can describe the plot of Maging Akin Ka Lamang is that it’s a crush taken to the extreme. The film follows Lorna Tolentino as Rosita, the rich heiress to a property development empire who’s madly in love with architect (and her ex-lover) Andy, played by Christopher De Leon. However, much to Rosita’s chagrin, Andy’s already in love with his girlfriend, Dina Bonnevie’s Elsa. (Or is he? There’s a steamy hot tub sesh that casts some doubt over Andy’s real feelings… but ah, let’s keep things simple: he’s in love with Elsa.)
Regardless, Andy’s off the market, and Rosita’s out for revenge. Her schemes to win Andy back escalate quickly, starting off with her crashing the couple’s Baguio trip, then her wearing white to their wedding (where she was the maid of honor, by the way!), and then finally paying off the head of the OB-GYN department to steal their baby (gasp!). At some point, you just have to applaud Rosita for never quitting — even if she’s ruined multiple lives in the process. —Mel Wang
All films are available on YouTube and VivaOne
