swordshines10: HIWAGA: A JOURNEY TO EMBRACE YOUR FAMILY WITH A GREATER LOVE...

In terms of clarity, message and well-polished direction, indie film Hiwaga is great. Its intention is clear: to spread further the importance of family ties, to value and protect nature and restore the faith to the Almighty above.

The film, which had its block screening at the Cinema 5 of Fisher Mall and had media people as important guests, garnered rave comments, unending cries and tears from movie scribe Pete Ampoloquio (because of the film's heavy dramatic scenes), kisses and hugs to the great actors who all performed in the film.

The film was well-crafted, nicely edited, visually polished and had a certain rhythm of direction which brought you to hearing a lullaby song from your mother's arms. Surely, the craft of its director (Kudos, sir Rico John Amparo) - like he was sculpting a great sculpture of Art and Form, was vividly seen on the film. The hands were delicate, fine, superb.

No matter how small an indie film is, but once it was excellently done and cut into pieces of fine art- the result is magnificent. And that's exactly what director Rico John Amparo did on this film. He managed to present a heavy-drama material, mixed-in with spirituality, gods and goddesses, and family values - with that of a well-coordinated and unified substance. How did he manage to do that? That, we could say by now, is a true work of ART.

And surprises of all surprises, the young actors, very new and so fresh in the business- could very well ACT so great. Especially its lead characters - John Mc Earl and Joshua David Clemente (who both portrayed the character named John Estrada in the film- John as the teen John Estrada and Joshua as the boy John). John's acting on one scene of the film where he delivered his Valedictory address was one of the finest acting deliveries that a blogger had seen for years. John's tears were so cinematic, the way he delivered his lines were subtle but deep- and it made us cry. If this film would be an entry to the Oscar awards in Hollywood, for sure, John's acting would be noticed. Because he's so good.

Meanwhile, Joshua David Clemente's way of acting was also noticeable. He certainly looked like an older brother taking care of his sisters. His boyish looks was a GIFT to the film.

The cinematography effect of the film- especially the earlier scenes on the forest- which had "misty-foggy" look-, was an experiment to the cinematographer, maybe, but it was really good. Effective. Magnificent.

The story of the film was original. You could feel it. Because the story was never told before. Never copied. Another excellent job.

If your tears were not enough after watching this film, better prepare an empty metal bucket so that your tears would fit on it. From start to finish, we couldn't breathe because we're holding-on to our tears.

Hiwaga is a journey to embrace your family anew. Because all of us belonged to a FAMILY. And whether we loosen them up or not,

In the end.

Your family would still be there-

FOREVER.

(WORDS BY ROBERT MANUGUID SILVERIO)

with photos by ms. TRIXIE DAUZ, RICO JOHN AMPARO & OTHERS