Bess A.

Tulio April 2, 2018

2015-10644 Social Science I
Maynila sa mga Kuko ng Liwanag
Lino Brocka, 1975
(Manila in the Claws of Neon)
Manila is the City of Dreams, as any probinsyano would say. Nobody told Julio Madiago
and Ligaya Paraiso that Manila is the opposite of what dreams are made of. Nothing but a
nightmare for those unfortunate people who went to Manila. Lino Brocka depicted a lot of issues
in 1975 and some are still seen today.
The setting starts in black and white Manila closing on in Julio Madiago’s scared face. The
leading character Julio went to Manila in search for his lover Ligaya who was brought to Manila
by Mrs. Cruz who promised a good life and a good salary if she works for her. Later, she discovered
that she have to work as a prostitute that’s why she ran away.
Julio, on the other hand, found a job at the construction site where we see the struggles of
low wage construction workers where they occasionally experience “taiwan” or extortion of wage.
Any complaints leads to losing their job.
As the movie transitions to glimpses of life in probinsya and back again to the harsh reality
of Manila. Julio, lost his job as a construction worker and resorted to do prostitution for faster
income.
The film reveal the hellish life of Manila, the construction accident, the abuse of power,
low wage, prostitution in both male and female which are still one of the issues today.
Furthermore, Julio’s search for his true love (Ligaya) continued until he finally found her.
Reunited at last but by the blood of Ligaya’s Chinese husband and a group of people chasing him
on the road which stops him at the dead end of the road with terror, anger and fear in Julio’s eyes.
This film tells the tragic story of these star-crossed lovers and the underworld life of Manila
and their harsh reality. The film ends with Julio’s face transitions to Ligaya and how in another
life, fate would be a little kinder to them unlike the sharp claws of Manila.