Four Values Found in Filipino Films

Preliminary Paper:

Application of Tiongson's Four Values in found in Filipino films in the

“Ang Panday” movie series (2009 & 2011)

Orquia, Patricia Denise Z.

3 PSY 1

Ms. Abigail Deabanico

Philippine Literature

Many critics have said that most of the Filipino movies revolve in the same storyline. The protagonist is being oppressed and has a love interest that is as beautiful as the Virgin Mary, and at the end of the day, he will find victory. This is the common pattern that almost all Filipino movies has. It's a never ending repetition of this plot. The characters and settings may change, but the same plot applies.

Nicanor Tiongson stated four Filipino values which are usually found in Filipino films which includes “Maganda ang Maputi”, “Masaya ang may Palabas”, “Mabuti ang Inaapi”, and “Maganda pa ang Daigdig”. The “Ang Panday” movie series, starring Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., Philip Salvador, and Iza Calzado to name a few, contain all the given values that Tiongson asserted.

Through the character of Maria, portrayed by Ms. Iza Calzado, the “Maganda ang Maputi” value was reflected. She was characterized as a fair, beautiful lady-like love interest of Flavio with a blood of being an “engkantada”. Also, in the sequel, Arlana, which is the human persona of Flavio's dragon and was portrayed by Ms. Marian Rivera, has a porcelain skin and is factually attractive. Truly, Filipinos have this perception that a leading lady must have the characteristics that everyone wants, a dainting or enchanting beauty that not all Filipinos possess in reality. It is also evident in the Philippine TV that networks prioritize on making the those “fair ladies” as their network jewels.

The fair actors and actresses are always given the limelight, the main charaters in the movies. On the other hand, the native-looking ones are given the antagonist or supporting roles. More often, they end up in the line of comedy where being...