The voice of “Boses”

Voice is the actor's powerful medium. It is tested and conditioned through an exploration of how the body, the imagination, and the emotions assist or inhibit full vocal expression. In performing arts, specifically in stage and film acting, understanding one's own vocal strengths and weaknesses helps the actor achieve greater control over his performance.

In my years of teaching theater arts, in characterization, I always accentuate to my students that through their voices, inimitable characters can be unearthed. Voice is of great magnitude to convey one's message effectively. It gives life and meaning to one's point especially when it requires oral conveyance. However, what if in the film the character is speechless, sans speaking lines. This is the situation of Onyok, played by a mute child prodigy Julian Duque, the main character of an indie film Boses. He is voiceless, powerless, and physically abused-by whom? No less than his own father, played by seasoned movie actor Ricky Davao. A situation that is difficult among maltreated children who have feeble voices. How can they talk about what they have been through? How can they voice out their suppressed feelings and sufferings? 

Directed by Ellen Ongkeko-Marfil, the movie, after five years when it was shown at the Cinemalaya Independent Philippine Film Festival and around the world which reaped several awards, is finally shown into the mainstream. Shot mostly in Zambales where a foundation for musically gifted children has been established by renowned violinist Coke Bolipata who serves as a music tutor to Onyok in the movie.

The movie tackles a global, social theme that plagues our country. Child abuse is happening, unknowingly, even within our midst-in the family, in our relatives' families, in our neighborhood. It comes in varying forms and degrees.  

The National Child Abuse Statistics reports that children are suffering from a hidden epidemic of child abuse and neglect. Every year, 3.3 million reports of child abuse are made in the United States involving nearly 6 million children.

In the Philippines, parents discipline and punish their children through the use of corporal or physical punishment in the following forms: spanking with hand, pinching, hitting with an object, twisting the child's ear, pulling the hair, slapping the face, confinement in a sack or shaking. Furthermore, they also experience humiliating treatments such as being shouted at in front of others, labeling and denigration.

In a survey conducted by Save the Children in the Philippines, 85% of children surveyed said that they were punished in the home. The family that is expected to provide the necessary love and care is the same family that creates a bleak future. In the movie, due to financial crisis, the mother is forced to leave the country to work thus leaving the unwaged father compelled to act dual roles. When rough times come, parents could not handle the pressure and thus lead to dismantled family ties, with children the most vulnerable.   

But music and friendship are such powerful catalysts. Onyok's powerless voice unearths succor in the potent voice of a melodic mechanism. Violin has been very effective musical instrument in expressing what the main character has been into. Through music, he can drive at various emotions like hatred, sadness, happiness and bliss. Friendship, on the other hand, provides unconditional feeling for redemption. That in times of troubles, there are those who are willing to provide reassuring attention and love.

Without being didactic, the movie brings about a poignant message that touches across ages and social orientation. There is an emotional healing at the end of seemingly endless rough journey.  

The voice of the mute is very loud and clear. It reverberates through the hearts and minds of the viewers. The message doesn't need to be uttered. Message is brought only through actions and emotions. It transcends effectively without voice.

If truth be told, it is the voice of the mute, the abused, the music, the friendship and redemption. Music's healing strength bestows a powerful voice. And friendship redeems the being's wholeness.