A mother's unconditional love

MANILA, Philippines - Neal Tan’s Pasang Krus (Affliction) is timely not because its title and the ordeal the main character has gone through in life are fit for the Holy Week. The indie, more importantly, reminds everyone the sacrifices our mothers make each day to lead us to the morally upright living.

It has a special screening tonight at 7 at SM Megamall Cinema 10 and opens April 1 in SM Theaters.

A long yet justifiable introduction in sepia opens the movie. Here, moviegoers see Hermina (Rosanna Roces) witness the killing of her husband over a land dispute and how the entire family flees from Isabela in 1994. They uproot politically from the laid-back, bucolic life to the fast-paced city living. On their way to Manila, Hermina loses a son and daughter. The character’s compelling story takes off from there. Neal has set the pace and the mood of the movie. What everyone should expect is a tearjerker.

“It is a tribute to my mom who has sacrificed a lot for her family,” says Neal, also the director of Ataul for Rent (Casket for Hire) and Hilot. “I’m also paying a tribute to old movies of the ‘50s starring Rosa Mia and Lolita Rodriguez. A Rosa Mia movie shows the typical Pinay mother who cares so much of her children’s welfare.”

The story is told from Hermina’s point of view. Her narration and annotation don’t preach nor reveal what comes next. It just heightens and explains Hermina’s emotions at the moment. Pasang Krus seems is told in segments, from Lucas to Jess to Marco and to the two other children. They are sewn perfectly.

As the camera shifts focus on her theft, pusher and criminal sons, Hermina bares her big heart when she accepts her children’s wasted lives. Each day, she never loses hope of having a better life. It may be elusive but it can be achieved.

What I also like about the movie is that the characters talk when needed. There are scenes that are almost devoid of words to show the agony and desperation of the lead character. As promised, Rosanna does subdued acting in the movie. Direk Neal was able to prevent Rosanna from doing hysterics. And she must have felt where Hermina is coming from.

Also in the cast are Ketchup Eusebio, Empress Schuck, Joross Gamboa, Beejay Morales, Christian Burke, Carlos Morales, Jett Alcantara, Jordan Castillo, Swarding and Maricar Santos.

Without trying, Neal makes subtle commentaries on corruption, small town politics, injustices, prostitution, kidnapping, robbery and family life. He points out the root of all these: Poverty. Pasang Krus somehow shows that some people engage in illegal activities because they have no choice but do them to survive.

As I’ve written in the past, Pasang Krus doesn’t give everybody a momentary escape from the realities of life nor provide solutions to them. It presents them as realistically as possible. Hermina should inspire Pinoys to become victorious in life.

If Rosanna’s transparent bag in Curacha reveals her character’s true persona, the kite in Pasang Krus shows what makes Hermina a survivor.