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| Ito Ba Ang Ating Mga Anak? |
Ito Ba Ang Ating Mga Anak? comes as gross disappointment for the legion of discriminating Bernal fans who have been charmed by his other films. One cannot believe for example, that of all the people in the world, Sonny (Wlliam Martinez) has to become a gang mate of his half-brother, Dennis (Albert Martinez). That is too much of a coincidence. Neither can one believe that all the problems come to a head at roughly the same time. Pikoy (Joel Alano) apparently dies of tuberculosis, unusually fast for such a disease just before Jenny (Cherie Gil) has her unmotivated nervous breakdown. She claims that others see her as a pillar of strength, but her scenes with the others do not justify that self-image. Other minor exasperations plague Ito Ba Ang Ating Mga Anak?, but it is chiefly Bernal's refusal to kill off traditional weaknesses that offends. A way out could have been a looser structure with all these lives criss-crossing in studied arbitrariness. But here, each character is duly given their precious film time and allowed to do what they can. The stars' personae are never forced to go down on their knees before the sacred altar of an integrated composition, of a filmic whole which is infinitely larger than its parts. Only with William Martinez is it done and he succeeds where the others fail. He is strong and consistent and his counterpoint scenes with Gil are refreshing wisps cutting through dowdy stretches. The hospital scene is particularly poignant, its success bringing as much on the acting as on the dramatic momentum which had been effectively built up. Nevertheless, Ito Ba Ang Ating Mga Anak? is significant because it dares to be different from the usual Filipino film with a single plot line. Like other Bernal films, this one breaks new ground. That it does not hit pay dirt must be attributed to bad luck, rather than to bad intentions.
Directed By: Ishmael Bernal
Screenplay: Ricardo Lee And Ishmael Bernal
Director Of Photography: Sergio Lobo
Music: Vanishing Tribe
Film Editor: Augusto Salvador
Production Designer: Peque Gallaga
Produced By: Regal Films, Inc.
Release Date: March 26, 1982