Journalist and director Arlyn de la Cruz directs a scene in “Mandirigma”. FACEBOOK PHOTO
When she penned the script of her latest film “Mandirigma” (Warrior), journalist-turned-director Arlyn de la Cruz never realized that it would be an omen for another imminent and real-life incident involving the commandos of the Philippine National Police’s Special Action Forces.
The film, an
entry to this year’s MMFF New Wave section, shows the lives of Philippine
Marines as they wage war against the renegade forces in the Mindanao
region.
“It represents
what happens with the Philippine Marines as they go to the frontlines. Sometimes
they are victorious, sometimes they are defeated. Whatever the result of the mission,
whether there’s a casualty or not, they still go on with their jobs” she said
According to de
la Cruz, the main villain in the film was patterned after Malaysian terrorist
Zulkifli bin Hir, alias “Marwan”, who was killed in the Philippine National
Police operation that took the lives of 44 Special Action Force (SAF) troopers
and reportedly 18 MILF fighters in January this year.
“He is the most
wanted terrorist at that time. I would like to highlight that the problem of
terrorism has gone region wide that’s why there should be a character
Hamda Marawan (portrayed by Mon Confiado),” she said.
De la Cruz wrote
the draft of the script in October last year and finished the final
revision in December, or about month before the Mamasapano incident took place.
She said she has
no knowledge that during that time, the authorities were already on the lookout
for Marwan. It’s clear that she didn’t intend the film to be an allusion to the
Mamasapano clash.
“[The film] is a
representation of some stories people might have heard in the previous wherein
there were ambushes, beheadings and hostage takings the government soldiers
have to face,” she said.
“Kahit ilan
malagas sa kanila, kahit gaano kasakit yun sa kanila (no matter how many fell
[to their deaths], no matter how deep they were hurt [by their comrades’
demise], the following day is just another day sacrificing their lives.”
She said “Mandirigma” is her way of giving tribute to men and women of the Philippine Marines and Armed Forces of the
Believing that
credibility is a necessary element of filmmaking, de la Cruz said that before
doing any film project, she ascertains that she has a good grasp of the story,
especially one that she covered as a journalist.
I won’t make a film if I haven’t completely understood the story or I haven’t witnessed it from a personal experience. I want to do movies that highlight truths in the society…those which I can prove happened in real life,” she said.
I won’t make a film if I haven’t completely understood the story or I haven’t witnessed it from a personal experience. I want to do movies that highlight truths in the society…those which I can prove happened in real life,” she said.
This view was
also what prompted her to bring to life her directorial debut “Maratabat”,
which was reminiscent of the Maguindanao massacre, the worst election-related
violence in Philippine history.
And with
“Mandirigma”, she absolutely has a clear message to tell. “The soldiers and the
rebels…Lahat sila may pinaglalaban…lahat sila may pinanggagalingan..(all of
them have a cause to fight for…all of them came from somewhere…) there is no
right or wrong sa perspective nila.”
“This would lead
to understanding war without condemning both parties. At makakahanap ang mga
stake holders naten ng tamang approach on how to go about the problem kasi kung
hindi maulit-ulit lamang ang lahat ng ito at hindi matatapos (And all the
stakeholders will find the right approach on to how to go about the problem
because if not, this will go on and on and will never end).”
http://entertainment.inquirer.net/185744/arlyn-de-la-cruzs-mandirigma-an-omen-of-mamasapano
Arlyn de la Cruz has had a colorful career as journalist. Beginning in the early 1990s she was able to frequently gain access to the Abu Sayyaf for exclusive interviews up until 2002 when herluck ran out. In 2002 she was reportedly abducted on the island of Jolo by a gang of former MNLF rebels, rogue paramilitary men, and criminals. She was held captive for 100 days.
ReplyDeleteFor an interesting take on her journalist career and dealings with the Abu Sayyaf see the following: "Arlyn and the Abu Sayyaf" (http://archives.newsbreak-knowledge.ph/2002/02/19/arlyn-and-the-abu-sayyaf/)