VANCE LARENA
Watched “Bakwit Boys” and to us it was the best movie we’ve ever watched this year. There is so much to expect from this movie since it was given Grade A by the Cinema Evaluation Board. And it did not fail us.
The story is simple yet poignant. Four young kids – all brothers – seeking greener pasture after their town was devastated by super typhoon. This got them into a journey, with music as their armor.
Despite the simplicity of story-telling, “Bakwit Boys” will hit one right on the chord. Its strength lies in the very natural portrayal of the movie’s characters – Nikko Natividad, Ryle Santiago, Mackie Empuerto, Vance Larena as brothers – and Devon Seron as their discoverer, and Nanding Josef as the boys’ grandfather, and the beautiful journey they all went through.
Jason Paul Laxamana, writer and director of the movie, impeccably showed us the journey of the four brothers, their struggles and rejections as naturally woven and enacted. He has a complete grasp of the material, each scene evoking the needed message to tell.
Some scenes left us crying. One is when Vance’s character arrived at night. It showed his brothers were sleeping and he immediately cuddled his youngest bro (Mackie) to show how much he loves him.
Another is when Mackie learned that a video they made went viral. Victorious, he showed innocence and joy when he learned about it.
Still another is Vance’s ultimate sacrifice to let his brother Nikko pursue the love of his life, Devon.
Tears freely cascaded on our cheeks after that scene. It was that brotherly love that evolved before us which made us realize that Jason, without trying to, is capable of moving and touching the very core of his audience’s humanity.
As a whole, “Bakwit Boys” is a must-see movie because a film like this come far and in between.
And credit should go to Rex Tiri of T-Rex Entertainment Productions for producing a movie which surely will not disappoint.