Lem goes back home

His last Cinemalaya project, 2012’s Si Intoy Syokoy ng Kalye Marino, was talked about because of its gritty treatment on the lives of the magtatahong of Cavite. Based on short fiction by Palanca award-winner Eros Atalia, it was set in Kalye Marino, a former American base in Sangley Point in Cavite.

For the Cinemalaya festival this year, writer and director Lem Lorca turned to a different milieu, this time to his own hometown of Mauban, one of the coastal towns of Quezon Province. It is where Lem grew up and where he studied from day care to high school. Its way of life became the most logical choice of material for his latest creative work, the independent film Mauban: Ang Resiko, which is set against the backdrop of one of his hometown’s oldest practices. Called the resiko and delving into Mauban’s wine-drinking culture, it was something he knew well.

“I thought that it would make a very interesting story,” says Lem. “During the early years, resiko meant shrinking. Then the word evolved as the term used by the folks of Mauban, mostly farmers, as a portion of one’s salary earned, set aside for a treat or blow-out. It’s like thanksgiving after a bountiful harvest na inabuso lang ng ilang tao indulging in excessive amount of drinking, especially after harvest.”

The idea to make a film about the resiko came to him years ago. Says Lem: “The idea of this project has been constantly on my mind, way back pa siguro nung matuto akong uminom ng alak (lambanog). I’ve been wanting to write this material but as usual, something always came up. It was not until last year when I started writing and took it seriously. I told myself: ‘It’s about time, Lem! You’ve been writing and directing TV specials and movies in different parts of the country, why not do something within your own backyard?’ and since I had had this idea for so long, I did.”

It is an age-old practice that is rich in local color and history. “Mahilig uminom ang mga taga-Quezon, maybe because there’s an abundance of coconut trees and nipa trees or sasa where we get our wines. As Maubanins, we love our nipanog (local term of lambanog).”

In the process of writing the script, Lem realized that the concept of the resiko was one that reached far beyond the borders of Mauban and that it was actually very Pinoy — thus, the story was something that anyone would be able to relate to. “I realized, while writing the script, that the culture of resiko happens everywhere. It’s universal. It doesn’t matter if you’re a corporate person, a businessman or a farmer. We always love to reward ourselves with a treat after getting paid,” observes Lem.

The film was shot entirely in Cagbalete Island, which is one of the barangays of Mauban. The basic premise is a story of a family in Cagbalete which ekes out its living through wine-making, fishing and charcoal-making. Matriarch/widow Susan, played by Bing Pimentel, moonlights as a resort masseuse. Her second son Junior, played by Sid Lucero, is into lapu-lapu fish-raising, while her daughter Lota (Alessandra de Rossi) and husband Dudut (Jess Mendoza) are into wine-making. A daily fare, the resiko treat becomes a threat to the family’s fight for survival.

Lem clarifies, however, that Mauban: Ang Resiko is not in the competition section of this year’s festival. “We’re just going to have our world premiere in Cinemalaya. Thanks to the organizers for giving us the venue to do so. We all know how important and popular Cinemalaya has become. So just to have our premiere in Cinemalaya is a huge thing for me. I’m very excited to go back.”

The message of the film, he says, is simple. “The people of the island of Cagbalete have the sweetest smiles. One day during our shoot, I was talking with one of my actors and we got envious kasi ang simple lang ng buhay nila. It’s just as quiet and serene as the ocean. They only have less if we compare it to our standards here in the city and yet, they have the happiest, most sincere smiles I’ve seen. To me, they are the happiest, kakampi  nila ang Diyos at ang dagat and it’s enough. They don’t live a rat race like we do here. So the message I guess is to be happy, live a simple life, have fun, have a great time, have a drink or two but be responsible!”