The auteur theory is when you judge the film based on its director and that the director of the film has an influence on whenever you will watch the movie or not. Definitely, when watching films we have our own taste and we are looking for certain stuff when we watch films. The same could be said to a director who looks for certain shots, themes, and symbols in his film where the people immediately know that the film is his. Some people are also disagreeing with the auteur theory saying that the films should not be judged by the director but as movies and individually. In this case its Mike De Leon, most of the time we expect that the director will stick to one genre and that they will continue to do that. But sometimes they can test themselves and try the waters of other genres and still keep their flair into it. Mike De Leon tackles social problems in the Philippines and wants us to challenge the status quo. Mike De Leon also worked with Lino Brocka and maybe that is why he is keen on tackling social issues in his films.

Mike De Leon movies have their similarities like how both characters got what they wanted in the end and they meet their goal. For Sid, it was that he became a member of the frat. For Johnny, it is Melanie and to escape from the church and Chinese drug organizations. They both also have an obstacle to face when it comes to reaching their goals. For Sid, it was all the punishment and humiliation he had to endure because it is a ritual that in order to join the frat he needed to experience all of these. For Johnny, it was that he needed to escape and to have some evidence that the church and chinese are drug smugglers and that their story is real despite how ridiculous it may seem. These also tackles social issues and important topics for Batch 81. It is that the rule of Marcos how can he be controlling and violent. It is also highlighted how the frat leaders treated the aspirants. Mostly controlling them and if they ever want to escape they will get in real trouble which is similar to how the Marcos regime treated the Filipinos at that time. Also to warn the younger audience that this will be what you will be doing if you join the frat and the dangers you will face when you join one including death. I also like how it represented the Philippines during the time of martial law and how we can only follow Marcos without question and that those who oppose him and speak their mind will be punished. So watching the film makes me know how the Filipinos at that time and frat aspirants don’t have much room to speak their minds and realism makes me enjoy my film experience.Personally,in Batch 81 I don’t like about the film is that Sid Lucero the main character’s goal in the film did not change after everything that they were forced to do and all that humiliation that the masters forced them to do. What is more frustrating is that Sid Lucero is demanding when it comes to his fellow aspirants when they want to quit and forces them to stay even if they don’t want to. In the end, they got to become masters but at what cost their friends died and they just repeated the cycle of humiliation that they were frustrated about and some wanted to leave during the whole film. Also, the two aspirants that died are the ones that wanted to leave. The convention is that it’s mostly about how to become a member of a frat as well as the brotherhood and protection that comes with it. There is also violence and humiliation that comes with the initiation. Also, the unpredictable ending that some characters can die during the initiation.Another narrative is brotherhood and a hierarchy between those involved so it shows that most of the characters on the top of the food chain are usually standing up and never lying down while those at the bottom when getting hit is at a lower position compared to others. For Kakabakaba, it is drug a trafficking and also using the innocent for the benefit of the drug dealers. It could also be that the person doing the crime is the person we least expect which could be the church. Something that is similar also could be that there is always a person in authority who is abusing it. Like Batch 81 , it was the frat leaders and how they treated the newcomers humiliated and tortured them. For Kakabakaba , it is the church on how they use their good name to escape drug trafficking especially the group leader who installs fear to the group members to get the job done. It also shows that the war on drugs has been happening for a long time and the drug issues have been happening since then. Also that the love interest is always a strong woman ,Batch 81 tells Sid her opinion and is brave enough to share what happened to her brother to warn Sid about the frat. And to tell him that it is not right to join and that he will only end up getting hurt physically and mentally. Kakabakaba shows a woman who is fearless and takes on the drug dealers and even fights back when it is necessary. She also never leaves him even in danger and always has his back. Though both films do not feel the same they are very enjoyable and that Mike De Leon’s creativity is shown here. Both films are also never boring Batch 81 made me fear for the characters and pity them when they are initiating .  Kakabakaba made me laugh and wonder what will amuse my laughter next. Both films also have a best friend for the main character who supports the main character. Batch 81 had a friend that supported and also joined the frat despite not wanting to join. Also if he believed that the frat was not brotherhood and only a way to impose their will to other people. Kakabakaba ka ba has a friend that sticks to him even if he had the chance to escape he did not and risk himself and saved his friend. So both films had a supporting character that cares for the main character which is a good sight to see in the film. Both characters got what they wanted in the end and they meet their goal. For Sid, it was that he became a member of the frat. For Johnny, it is Melanie and to escape from the church and Chinese drug organizations. Both films also have a music scene or sequence, For Batch 81 it was the scene where the new frat mates had to pretend to be gay and had to do a musical number. For Kakabakaba, it was almost the whole second act where there were a nun singing and the faceoff between the church and Chinese organization which was played through a musical. Kakabakaba ka ba is very enjoyable because it did not take itself to seriously. It told us in the beginning that it would never happen in real life and it was just their imagination. Most of the time, during the film I was laughing and enjoying which I think was the intention and goal of the film. He is also known to tackle the political side of things especially during Batch 81 when it comes to the Marcos regime. Most of the shots are close- up to show the exaggerated expression of the characters. Also, some wide shots during the musical part to show all the characters happily singing and dancing. Also, the way that the shots were trippy when they were under the influence of drugs. It is a relevant issue not only here in the Philippines but the whole world that is drugs, In a very comedic way and I feel that in a way that caught the attention of us viewers.

Mike De leon affects our feelings through the use of expectations. For Batch 81, it is by gratified expectations because I know violence came with the part of the initiation so I expected the applicants to get hurt so when it happens my expectations were met. It was also a possibility that in the end some of them would become members which happened in the film. Another expectation is cheated expectation which happens when one of the applicants was in an electric chair with every shock, I expected him to die and when he fainted I thought he died but he was just faking it so the writers tricked me and played with my emotions. The delayed expectation comes with the group fight when they were fighting about Tina. I thought the fight would happen in the middle of the movie but it happened towards the end I knew it would happen and it did, but when it was later than expected I was left wondering when and if it would happen. For Kakabakaba ,the gratified expectation the Gratified expectation is that they eventually realized what the drug smugglers were after the cassette tape and that they eventually took down both groups. The cheated expectations are that the priest was with church was involved with the drugs and that they have been smuggling for a very long time. Another cheated expectation is that the two people from the church were not the big boss and was just henchman. The delayed expectation is that I expected the Chinese and church to cross paths earlier and more times.

  For Batch 81, the shots were that aspiring fraternities are in a horizontal line and are about to be humiliated the camera moves in a left to right movement to show all the characters and how they react when it’s their turn. When it comes to violence they show the face reactions, and spills of blood and the weapons being used. There is also a confrontation between the two frats and the stylistic aspect of it is that to show them in a wide shot to show how the group reacts and to show a close up of the main characters involved to show their individual reactions. Also, another shot where the frat leaders were bullying the aspirants and that they also included a shot of them messing around with the food which was to make us hate them and feel for the aspirant. Kakabakaba there were multiple shots of the facial reactions of the characters during the events of the film was mostly over the top, especially the two church henchmen who were in charge of retrieving the cassette tape which helped with the comedic aspect. Another shot when the housekeeper got tied up, We all expected that the worst would happen but she woke up then her exaggerated expression although with fear there is an especially when she spoke it sounded like she said rape but it was just that she got tied up which also helped the comedic aspect of the film. The shots of the two couples transitioning between one another . One shot is a couple that is under the influence of drugs and a transition of the other couple having sex.Showing the two different modes of each couple.Also that the shots of when they are influenced by drugs has an edit of colors to show the audience how it feels to get high.

The purpose of these shots are to show character. The shots in batch 81 is for us to see that the frat leaders are abusive.And that the aspirants are struggling to cope with the challenges and see how tough they are and determined to join the frat. Kakabakaba was to show that the two church henchman maybe a threat but was also somewhat comedic characters and that most of the time to make us laugh. The two main couples with their shots showed that they value one another and that they love each other romantically. 

Mike De Leon’s films are treated very differently, one of them is very grounded in Batch 81 in where there is a such thing as a frat and that there are people getting hurt just to join the frat in real life. While Kakabakaba ka ba is not realistic and that it even said at the beginning that these will never happen in real life and all of these is just in our minds.

Auteur theory has its advantages like when you keep making good films. It will eventually boost your name and it can make more people follow and support you. You will have instant support once you release a new film. On the other hand, you can be judged by the films that you create and when you make a bad film ,it can really hurt you. After a bad film , people might not want to watch your future films. Another thing also is that if you want to change the genre of the films you care creating it might be difficult with the auteur theory. This could be a problem with Mike De Leon because that switching a genre might not keep the same followers because they might like you for these on genre and not feel the same way and not necessary cheer for you. So it is a big risk. Especially when you fail in your new genre and that could be someone’s first time watching you might give you a bad name to them and not watch any of your films. These are prominent in Batch 81 and Kakabakaba. Batch 81 , gives us a different experience . What I like about the movie is that it shows the real things that happen in the Philippines and it does not shy away from reality. Colleges have frats and initiation where they hurt the aspiring members and do not shy away from the violence some parts where too much for me but I know it is necessary for the film. With Kakabakaba , there was never a dull moment and when watching the film I felt like I could just lay back and watch it without worrying about logic and the film should not be taken seriously. The movie could be about drug smuggling and how it can be placed to innocent people .A tactic being used by drug dealers and traffickers.

Both films are very different and you can’t really tell that it was from the same director because the two movies have a different theme and feel for the film. Batch 81 is violent and takes itself very seriously. Kakabakaba is very comedic and plays around most of the time. When it comes to auteur theory you would not realize that these were from the same author. It shows that Mike de Loen can switch up his game and can be very successful in multiple genres in film. I think these could be a great example that we cannot judge the films by its director. Because if we judge Mike De Leon by one film we won’t be able to look at his diversity and that if we watched batch 81 first and would not give his comedic side a chance. Because we only see him as a serious director, we will miss out on a great comedic film in Kakabakaba. I think Mike De Leon might have this mindset that he wants to prove that he could do anything and any genre he will take on and experience. He does not want to stick to one movie style and be comfortable with it he wants to always test the waters. Batch 81 had a symbol of Marcos as a dictator and the way he treats the Filipino people and that he just does what he wants when he wants without question. While Kakabakaba ka ba showed the power of the church and that they can deceive everyone all it takes is a good name as the church, they can do anything illegal like drugs. It could be a symbol that maybe during that time there is also politics when it comes to the church and they have some sort of power. Though both films do not feel the same they are very enjoyable and that Mike De Leon’s creativity is shown here. Both films were never boring. With the auteur theory, I think we can see the similarities with social issues and how he tackles them. If I would recommend a Mike De Leon film to my friend and discuss the auteur theory, we will discuss how he has versatility in his filmography and that he can make a serious and comedic film I like both films and I would recommend it to anyone and get into the Mike De Leon movies and also get their opinion and test the Auteur theory for themselves when they have time. To me we need more films like these especially with our generation In where there are so many social issues to tackle. With the rise of social media also comes social issues, his movies can be a good platform on where we can tackle all these social issues. And in true Mike De Leon fashion, his movies still tackles social issues and wants the youth to be educated when it comes to these issues. ,The best way he can tackle these problems is thru film. I personally enjoyed his work and the way he can switch gears and do different types of films but keep the theme of social issues is amazing. To me , we need more films like these especially with our generation wherein there are so many social issues to tackle. With the rise of social media also comes social issues, his movies can be a good platform on where we can tackle all these social issues

The auteur theory is when you judge the film based on its director and that the director of the film has an influence on whenever you will watch the movie or not. Definitely, when watching films we have our own taste and we are looking for certain stuff when we watch films. The same could be said to a director who looks for certain shots, themes, and symbols in his film where the people already know that the film is his.Some people are also disagreeing with the auteur theory saying that the films should not be judged by the director but as movies and individually. In this case, it is Lino Brocka, who is one of the most successful Filipino filmmakers. Brocka is anti-Marcos and that during that time you cannot go against Marcos so he hides some symbolism in his films that is anti-Marcos and puts it in his films

A Lino Brocka film is known for its violence which is one of the recurring themes for his movies especially Maynila sa nga kuko ng Liwanag and Insiang. The first hint into these for Maynila sa nga kuko ng Liwanag was when Julio punched a robber who was going after the bag. Then a shot of his hands shaking as the first sign of his violent tendencies. Next was when he was drunk and that he picked a fight with someone who did not do anything to him. After Julio found out that Insiang was killed by her abusive husband and what I like about these scenes is that we see Julio’s face and we see the desperation and anger of that character.He then goes to the husband’s place then stabs him which makes him crazy that is hinted on the whole movie his desperation to find Ligaya and him getting a screwdriver so this was always going to happen and The filmmakers did a great job with easter eggs and hints for these scenes. Also the thought of how the husband killed Ligaya and the child of how violent that scene could be despite it not being seen on screen. Also the perceived death of Julio at the end in which the friends of the husband stabbing him with weapons. Insiang is violent on how the way Dado threats the community and his power and fear over everyone. And that he usually gives punishment to people that do not follow him.Especially to Bebot which he tormented after figuring out that Insiang liked him. Also, the shot, when Dado died showing the mom in a higher angle showing power at that position and Dado, is at a lower angle during these shots experiencing punishment is similar to the first scene with the pigs In where Dado was crushing and brutalizing the pigs some close up shots of the pig to just show how brutality they are experiencing. Also when Ligaya’s mother was killing Dado is very brutal and splatter of blood was shown. Which can be a symbol that Dado is a pig and that he should be brutalized the same way that the pigs were brutalized. 

 The Philippines is not a rich country and Brocka emphasizes this showing how the majority of the Filipino people live and work hard in there everyday lives. The wide shots of showing the poor are also prominent for both films Maynila sa nga kuko ng Liwanag started the movie with multiple shots over the busy Manila I believe that the purpose of these shots is to show the viewer that the main set would be more of the less fortunate and Filipinos struggling with money. This problem is most prominent when Julio was a construction worker and that they showed his fellow construction workers also struggling with money. Insiang also focuses on the poor when it shows some wide shots of the informal settlers’ area and the kids running. Also that everyone is scared of dado and is struggling when it comes to money.Because he punishes everyone who does not follow him especially Bebot when he realized that Ligaya likes him.Even insiang’s relatives had to go away even if they are struggling with money due to the heartless of Insiang’s mother kicking them out. Also making them strip their clothes that she lends to them showing that most Filipino people don’t even have their own clothes to wear which was highlighted in these scenes.

 Brocka also focuses on social issues and symbolizes them in his films, For Maynila sa nga kuko ng Liwanag is poor, it’s that manila is not a guarantee to be rich and is not the promised land that it is.showing the busy Manila ties in well with the construction storyline because it shows that Manila is not as glamorous as what the province thinks. He also wants to share that it is important to study he shows these by most of the side characters talked about studying which for me is a way for the filmmakers to tell the Filipino youth to stay in school and have a chance at a better life.  Also that the Ligaya that julio was chasing in manila could be the same that most people chase the Ligaya in manila and think once they come here there money problem will just be gone instantly. For Insiang it is that it could be that there are really males who take advantage of a woman. There was a scene where one male character touched a female character’s breasts. People usually have excuses like lasing lang sila and boys will be boys.which in reality is not a valid excuse. They also say that it is just alright and no harm was done. Also when Dado raped insiang with close up shots of insiang with the agony in her face when she was first raped. It might seem like an anti-feminist film at the beginning but towards the end it became a feminist film. Also that the mom is very abusive and does not treat Insiang right which can be a symbol of Marcos and how he treats the Filipino people.It also showed that a character who we did not expect to be strong. After insiang was raped it seemed like she was just letting it happen but she had a plan. It was hinted when she told Bebot she would not leave she had to do something. Then she prevailed showing that you should not underestimate her. Which was a complete opposite from how she was begging bebot to stay at the beginning. 

Both the main characters of each film’s morality and character were tested in each film. Also how they respond to the events of their respective films. Julio was from the province that came to Manila to find Ligaya. Eventually when he figured out that the love of his life Ligaya has died. His morality was tested will he take revenge in which he killed the tormentor of ligaya so his character had a complete turn in morality in the film from a simple province boy to a violent person who will hurt anybody.Insiang was a shy girl but due to getting raped and Bebot leaving her she became stronger she eventually set up her mother to kill dado in which she also changed to a tactical and willing to hurt anyone who hurts her.

The character’s ending is very different Julio got what he wanted Ligaya for a short time. But during these temporary times, he forces her to escape which kills her and now he faces the guilt and eventually dies. Ligaya, on the other hand, got what she wanted she got revenge on her rapist dado, and also her mother for all the abuse she received during her torment. But also it seems like she was still sad and through everything still loved her mother. If you judge both films you can feel that it was made by the same person with the same setting focuses on the poor. Social issues being tackled and want to make the eyes of the Filipino people to be open with the things going on in the country. He also introduces violence and blood. If I watch these films without knowing that they are made by the same person I would not be surprised once I figure it out and the movies definitely have the same feel into it. 

Lino Brocka also plays with our expectations with Gratified expectations for Maynila sa nga kuko ng liwang it was when Julio finally met Ligaya and that was his journey throughout the film so we expected to meet him at some point. Also, a gratified expectation is that when Julio became violent and stabbed the husband because he had many violent tendencies in the film and the screwdriver was shown on his way to the husband’s place. For insiang it was when Dado finally raped her because these were teased at the beginning of the film with the way he looks and touches her. He also defends her from the mother. So as the audience we know that he likes her and is about to make a move and when he does we are not surprised. Another one would be when Dado was punishing Bebot because we knew that Dado was jealous because he liked Insiang so the way he acted was to scare Bebot.

The cheated expectation for Maynila sa nga kuko ng liwang when ligaya never came to the meeting place where they are planning to escape but instead she died which we did not expect because in the back of our minds we wanted both of them to be together. Another cheated expectation is that when the lady that took Ligaya was only shown in a few scenes because of the way she was portrayed at the beginning and when the movie came along her role was non-existent and I thought she had a bigger part to play in the film. For insiang it is that we expected Insiang to be this weak character because of her decisions on the film but she actually fooled her mom to kill the Dado who raped her using her mom’s feelings against her and getting revenge on both of them without going to jail herself. Another one was when Bebot her boyfriend did not fight for her and just left her after his promise that he will stay with her and escape together we expected him to stay because of her love and promise to Insiang but he left and was more scared of Dado.

Delayed expectation for Maynila sa nga kuko ng liwang is that when Julio finally met Ligaya we expected them to then and there to show their affection because of the long time that they were away. but instead Ligaya told Julio lets to meet another time.Another would be that when Julio became a gay prostitute he was already uncomfortable and that I expected him to quit earlier than he did.For insiang is that the mom picked up on both of them having sex pretty late with all the warning signs in her house like Dado always leaves the room at night and when he comes back tired and sweaty. Another one would be when Insiang did not get it right away that Dado loved her because it was so obvious in the film and that is also why we thought that she was not a strong character. 

Brocka has different elements in his film like in Maynila sa nga kuko ng Liwanag is that he placed a hook it was that Julio always had these flashbacks of a girl. And eventually the only thing that we know is that a girl from Manila took her and that she escaped and she went missing. As an audience, we are left to wonder what is the significance of that girl and made us invested in his search for Ligaya. The prostitution plot is not really part of the main story and is just for laughs and the only thing it contributes to the main arc is that Julio is struggling with money. That being said, I believe that it did a great job of giving us a breather when it comes to having heavy scenes like when he was about to sell his body the cat is always in the way, making a funny scene. It is very important because the rest of the film is very heavy and that having breaks can play with the viewer’s expectations when it comes to the tone of the film.Insiang, however, did not have that hook or mystery and we know immediately that the mother is very mean and controlling. Dado is a playboy. We already knew straight up what was with these characters. We just wondered how will Insiang react and cope with these people throughout the film.

Notable shots for his films is that in Maynila sa nga kuko ng Liwanag Is the shot on one of the construction worker got injured. There was a shot showed the metal was giving in and then, a shot of it falling to one of the workers and multiple shots of showing the expression of everybody. Also a shot of the boss not caring and telling everyone to continue their work and carry on.Showing that he does not really care for them. Then there was a scene in which the construction head is letting people go, which for me the filmmakers did well because after every name said you can sense the hopelessness of every worker and the desperation of their name not being said it also helps that multiple scenes of the movie that the construction head is seen as a merciless and unforgiving boss and when Julio’s name is finally called we are left heartbroken and clueless for what is next for the film.In insiang it was the shot when Insiang was holding the iron and a close up shot showing her anger towards her mother and saying that dado had better sex with insiang. You can see the hurt on the mother’s face with a close-up shot.Also a lot of middle shots between Insiang and dado it is to establish that Dado is making moves on insiang. 

The prostitution plot is not really part of the main story and is just for laughs and the only thing it contributes to the main arc is that Julio is struggling with money. That being said, I believe that it did a great job of giving us a breather when it comes to having heavy scenes like when he was about to sell his body the cat is always in the way, making a funny scene. It is very important because the rest of the film is very heavy and that having breaks can play with the viewer’s expectations when it comes to the tone of the film. Insiang does not have a comedic breather and that the film is serious all throughout. The closest thing we have as a breather are Insiang’s conversations to her best friend which I think was the purpose of the director and he wanted less comedic stuff in these film. 

Lino Brocka films are still prominent in these days and age. Not only does he inspire most of the current Asian directors but his films are still relevant to this day. The issues in Maynila sa nga kuko ng Liwanag and Insiang and Insiang are still happening to this day. for Maynila sa nga kuko ng Liwanag it is the poverty which we can see in these streets today and Insiang  is about rape which is actually linked to murder nowadays. So if we try to make a modern version of these films it’s purpose and issues it is trying to share is still happening and is still relevant.

Most of brocka’s films are mostly grounded and do not have a supernatural element to them and focus on stories that could happen in real life. Though his films are realistic that does not necessarily mean it’s part of the realism theory. That is because most of the films are a mix of formalism and realism. An example would be that music and noises are being heard which does not happen in real life. Maynila sa Maynila sa nga kuko ng Liwanag when julio was talking with Ligaya there was a creepy noise which would not happen in real life. Also when julio was about to stab the husband there was background music and noises playing. Also some shots where Julio was daydreaming of Ligaya. For Insiang it could be when the faucet was dripping and also a creepy voice was playing.

Both movies have a lot of similarities and if you look close enough you can tell that it was made by the same director. If you were to tell me that both of these films were made by the same director I would not be surprised. From the setting and social issues highlighted in his films. You know that Brocka wants to tackle all of these issues through his medium film. You can also tell that most of his films could be targeted to older audiences. He also wants to open the eyes of the Filipino people that there are issues in our country and that we cannot simply ignore them. With violence and themes like rape might be too much to handle for people that are very young so that could be his potential target audience and also they are the ones who can understand the message of his films and the purpose that he is making them. He is definitely one person I would recommend when it comes to auteur theory because it is easy to distinguish his movies and that him being a well-known director might be a good way to see his films with the auteur theory in mind. Though they are made by the same director you can tell that each movie can stand out on its own and have differences as well. 

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My feelings about insiang are very good and I enjoyed the film. It showed us that what we perceived to be a weak character because she was weak and quiet but was actually smart and strong. Insiang is a girl who was raped by dado her mom’s boyfriend which was hinted at the very start on how he looks at her and defends her from the mother. The mother is very controlling and heartless toward insiang and others which can be seen as a symbol of Marcos and how he treats the Filipino people at the time. Dado also has some sort of symbolism at the beginning of the film he was part of the people who tortured the pigs and the way he died he was tortured which can symbolize that he was a pig on the way he treats his people. The film is also feminist but it can be seen as anti-feminist at the beginning especially when there was a male character that touched a female character’s butt and the other characters said he was just drunk and also saying that is fine when it should not be. I also that Insiang was raped by Dado and the way she reacted is that it’s fine and lets him do it again because her mother won’t believe her. She also has a boyfriend Bebot who she is planning to escape with. During a motel scene, he promises that he won’t leave her but does the next day. All these changes when Insiang returns and mentions that she has to do something. She then threatens her mother when she receives more abuse telling her that she had sex with Dado and that he enjoyed the sex with her more and that the mother is just old. These anger the mother and when dado returns he gets killed violently. Insiang a girl we thought to be weak was actually strong and got revenge on Dado for raping her and also her mother for setting her up to kill him to go to jail getting revenge on both of them.

For the shots at the beginning of the film, most of the shots showed the overall brutally of the pigs at a wide shot and a close-up shot to their faces to show how much pain they are truly in. Some of the shots are in a wide shot showing the setting that is poor places in the Philippines. Close up shots of agony Insiang when she was first raped, Bebot with the fear for Dado and the mom when she was in jail knowing that she was a bad mother and she underestimated her daughter’s mind and paid for it. Also, the shot, when Dado died showing the mom in a higher angle showing power at that position and Dado, is at a lower angle during these shots experiencing punishment.   

Gratified expectations are when Dado finally raped her because these were teased at the beginning of the film with the way he looks and touches her. He also defends her from the mother. So as the audience we know that he likes her and is about to make a move and when he does we are not surprised. Cheated expectations are that we expected Insiang to be this weak character but she actually fooled her mom to kill the guy getting revenge on both of them without going to jail and also that Bebot her boyfriend did not fight for her and just left her after his promise that he will stay with her and escape together. Delayed expectations are that the mom picked up on both of them having sex pretty late with all the warning signs in her house like Dado always leaves the room at night and when he comes back tired and sweaty.

I have mixed feelings about my experience in the film batch 81, What I like about the movie is that it shows the real things that happen in the Philippines and it does not shy away from reality. Colleges have frats and initiation where they hurt the inspiring members and do not shy away from the violence some parts where too much for me but I know it is necessary for the film. I also like how it represented the Philippines during the time of martial law and how we can only follow Marcos without question and that those who oppose him and speak their mind will be punished. So watching the film makes me know how the Filipinos at that time and frat aspirants don’t have much room to speak their minds and realism makes me enjoy my film experience. What I don’t like about the film is that Sid Lucero the main character’s goal in the film did not change after everything that they were forced to do and all that humiliation that the masters force them to do. What is more frustrating is that Sid Lucero is demanding when it comes to his fellow aspirants when they want to quit and forces them to stay even if they don’t want too. In the end, they got to become masters but at what cost their friends died and they just repeated the cycle of humiliation that they were frustrated about and some wanted to leave during the whole film. Also, the two aspirants that died are the ones that wanted to leave. The convention is that it’s mostly about how to become a member of a frat and the brotherhood and protection that comes with it. There is also violence, the humiliation that comes with the initiation. Also, the unpredictable ending that some characters can die during the initiation.  

The form of the film in a narrative is that it’s about a group of applicants who want to join a frat called Alpha Kappa Omega and that they are going to humiliate them and hurt them to test their allegiance to Alpha Kappa Omega. The stylistic part of it is when they are in a horizontal line and are about to be humiliated the camera moves in a left to right movement to show all the characters and how they react when it’s their turn. When it comes to violence they show the face reactions, and spills of blood and the weapons being used. There is also a confrontation between the two frats and the stylistic aspect of it is that to show them in a wide shot to show how the group reacts and to show a close up of the main characters involved to show their individual reactions. Another narrative is brotherhood and a hierarchy between those involved, so it shows that most of the characters on the top of the food chain are usually standing up and never lying down while those at the bottom when getting hit is at a lower position compared to others.

The film affects my feelings through the use of expectations. An example of this is by gratified expectations because I know violence came with the part of the initiation so I expected the applicants to get hurt so when it happens my expectations were met. It was also a possibility that in the end some of them would become members which happened in the film. Another expectation is cheated expectation which happens when one of the applicants was in an electric chair with every shock I expected him to die and when he fainted I thought he died but he was just faking it so the writers tricked me and played with my emotions. The delayed expectation comes with the group fight when they were fighting about Tina I thought the fight would happen in the middle of the movie but it happened towards the end I knew it would happen and it did, but when it was later than expected I was left wondering when and if it would happen. 

Maynila sa nga kuko ng liwang is a great film and very enjoyable despite its age. I really like how they started the movie with multiple shots over the busy Manila I believe that the purpose of these shots is to show the viewer that the main setting would be more of the less fortunate and Filipinos struggling with money. Then we meet Julio, who is about to work for a construction company, the only thing we know about him is some flashbacks of a girl who is presumably his old lover. For me this is an interesting approach because personally if I know very few things about a character I can lose interest but the film did great is that It had an element of the flashback of Julio’s old lover, which is enough to keep me in the story. The whole construction story angle really opened my eyes it dealt with poverty in the Philippines I also like how most of the side characters talked about studying which for me is a way for the filmmakers to tell the Filipino youth to stay in school and have a chance at a better life. To me showing the busy Manila ties in well with the construction storyline because it shows that Manila is not as glamorous as what the province thinks because it was revealed that Ligaya only left the province to have a better life but Manila was actually not what they think it is. Then with knowing the past of ligaya we are truly invested with Julio’s search for ligaya in which we can sense his desperation and how he is slowly losing his mind which for me is an easter egg for the end of the film. Then there was a scene in which the construction head is letting people go, which for me the filmmakers did well because after every name said you can sense the hopelessness of every worker and the desperation of their name not being said it also helps that multiple scenes of the movie that the construction head is seen as a merciless and unforgiving boss and when Julio’s name is finally called we are left heartbroken and clueless for what is next for the film.

For me the prostitution plot is not really part of the main story and is just for laughs and the only thing it contributes to the main arc is the Julio struggling with money. That being said I believe that it did a great job of giving us a breather when it comes to having heavy scenes like when he was about to sell his body the cat is always in the way making a funny scene. It is very important because the rest of the film is very heavy and that having breaks can play with the viewer’s expectations when it comes to the tone of the film. The film when it comes to Ligaya gives us great mystery because like Julio we don’t know what happened to her. The only thing that we know is that a girl from Manila took her and that she escaped and she went missing and from my understanding is that that girl works in some Chinese shop. Julio is always in that Chinese shop and when he finds the girl he is suddenly stopped by a guard. He is suddenly giving a book with Ligaya’s writings which the guard stole which makes Julio more desperate and buys a screwdriver which is also an easter egg for the ending. This scene plays with our emotions and that like Julio we are clueless when it comes to Ligaya’s whereabouts and when we see a glimmer of hope to find her but we are left with nothing and lose even more hope because the writings of ligaya is now stolen. Then we finally meet ligaya what I love is that Julio had to chase ligaya to the church this adds suspense for us viewers and when they meet we are left with a sigh of relief. We then learn more Ligaya and are shocked that she is now married with an abusive husband and she has a child. The filmmakers did a great job with the emotional aspect, because we can sense the fear especially when Julio was pushing an escape and she is really scared by this idea that makes us the viewer scared for her also but she decides to escape. Then we are also waiting for her to escape with julio but when she doesn’t we are left with an open mind we are also clueless why she didn’t come and are left with multiple possibilities of what could happen by the writers. Then we found out she was killed by her abusive husband and what I like about these scenes is that we see Julio’s face and we see the desperation and anger of that character, and we see him go full circle giving up in life and won’t care as long as he gets his revenge. He then stabs the husband which makes him crazy that is hinted on the whole movie his desperation to find Ligaya and him getting a screwdriver so this was always going to happen and The filmmakers did a great job with easter eggs and hints for these scenes. They also played with our expectations and that when he found ligaya that it was going to be a happy ending like normally in the movies but for this one it didn’t happen and we are left shocked besides the hints because of expectation. The final scene is a chase down in which all we can sense his fear with him running and finally trapped, and great camera shots with his face and his grabbing his weapon. When he finally dies, we can see his face and his death telling the viewer the end of his life and the movie and make us leave the movie with a heavy heart.