Centro Escolar Integrated School

In Partnership with Centro Escolar University

Centro Escolar University Senior High School Department (Manila)

Contemporary Philippine Art from the Region

Movie Critque Paper

Fulgencio, Jayvee

12th of October, 2016

I. Critique Paper
A. Plot/Synopsis
i. Deep within the forest of Rizal, there was an Adoration
Monastery placed. This monastery was lead by Mother
Superior Ruth. Having the task of being a superior, she is
tasked not only to minister the daily prayers and rituals
inside the monastery but also she was the one taking the
responsibilities of each nun inside the monastery. The main
advocacy of the monastery was to pray since they are
isolating themselves from the cruelty of the world. In the
year of 1971, the nuns of the monastery started changing.
Then a new nun, having the name of Lourdes, joined the
Monastery only having in her mind of being a nun of Jesus
Christ when entering the Monastery. Later on, Remy, who is
an extern nun who has the capabilities of going out of the
monastery, was visited by her mother who brought news to
her. Remy knew that her brother was lost for almost 2
months. Knowing about this, she started worrying and she
also asked Mother Superior Ruth for the permission to leave
the monastery but Mother Superior Ruth refused but
instead suggested what their advocacy was all about, which
is praying. But knowing that Remy is an extern nun, she
used her position to attend meetings which is a highly
prohibited act within the monastery especially if this was
not given the authority of their Mother Superior. One day,
the new nun, Lourdes, was in pain of her teeth and was in
need of a dentist. Since Remy was in charge of being the
extern nun, she needed to bring Lourdes with her. In this
trip, Lourdes knew what Remy was up to. She knew that
Remy attended meetings which are highly prohibited in the
monastery. After that, Lourdes also asked the permission of
the Mother Superior to make her an extern nun so that she
 could also keep up with the meetings that they were
attending. One time, they were lacking the ration of food in
the monastery so the extern nuns, Lourdes and Remy, were
tasked to buy stuff once again outside the monastery.
Together with their trip, once again they have decided to
attend the meeting. The meeting held took so much time
wherein it ended at the evening. Knowing that the nuns
took so much time, the rushed back to the monastery. On
their way back, in the forest filled with darkness, they were
ambushed by random drunk strangers, Remy was able to
escape but then Lourdes having to capability to fight back
was brutally raped. That night, most of the nuns grew
worried about their extern nuns so they went out of the
monastery to look for them out and surprisingly, they found
Lourdes having her half body naked lying on the ground.
ii. The movie was non-linear or the flow of the story wasn’t in
order. The flow was somewhat confusing that there were
unexpected flashbacks and some scenes were ahead. But
this doesn’t make the film horrible but instead it was
intentional to create a more psychological-dramatic effect to
the film.
B. Pacing
i. The pacing of the movie was somewhere between slow and
average since the movie not only had a lot of repetition of
scenes, which was intentional to psychologically add more
explanation to the story, but also there are a lots of scenes
that had too long screen time just to make an emphasis on a
meaning to the audience. Overall, the somewhat slow pacing
of the movie was intended by the production staff to allow
some time for the viewers not only to make realization
towards the flow and the story of the movie but also to
create an atmosphere of curiosity.
C. Cinematography
 i. The cinematographer of the movie was Jay Abello. His
cinematography is sublime since he was able to manipulate
the shadow with the use of light that creates mental and
moral atmosphere not only in the setting but also with the
characters. Also his skills in angling the camera was a huge
impact on the delivery of the emotions and the feelings that
the story wants to convey.
D. Director
i. The director of the film was Vincent Sandoval. Even though
this is an old film, his direction is truly advanced and
sophisticated. He made a risky direction in the film where
he knew that it could fail but when it succeeds, it would
make a great impact. The film he created was devastating its
main goal was to make an impact on the audience leaving
them in awe or shock. Also, the direction is very amazing
since it was able to mix the immense possibilities of
imagination and the history. Also it is very creative and
imaginative of him to use real videos and photographs of
real activists and their families to create illusions and
stories as well.
E. Creativity
i. Aparisyon maybe an indie film but with their budget, that
hinders them to widen the scope of their setting, they were
able to think creatively and maximize what they are able to
use. As what I have mentioned, they were able to deepen
and widen the story by taking risks in creating the film. Also
what made the film much more enticing is that how it
represents issues of faith, fear and guilt in situations which
seemed impossible. The risks made the viewers like and
dislike the characters at the same time. Also, even if the film
is enclosed in a monastery, they were able to make
something out of it like creating a mood which makes the
viewers feel the coldness and the gloomy effect of the
setting after the tragedy that happened in the monastery.
 Another creative thing about this film is that it was the story
which affects the viewers even though it had very few
dialogues. Their actresses were able to create such a setting
even if there were no dialogues given.
F. Originality
i. The film is an original masterpiece since it was very unique
in films, especially in Filipino films, to tell a story about
cloistered nuns that are sheltered from the world. The plot
is what makes it original and unique from other films.
G. Dialogue-verbal (necessary) or non-verbal
i. The film didn't have that much dialogue but that's what
makes it much more beautiful because there are some
stories that couldn't be expressed through words but is
made possible by non-verbal actions. The most meaningful
and powerful scenes are seen in the quietest of the film. A
great example of this is the scene between Remy and
Lourdes. It was a four-minute scene that didn't have any
dialogue yet it was the most intense and emotional one. It
was greatly delivered with the help of the two actresses
which were Jodi and Mylene.
H. Characters
i. Main Characters
a. Sister Remy by Mylene Dizon
 An extern nun that later on founds out that his
brother is missing which made her want to go
outside the monastery. Together with Sister
Lourdes as an extern nun. When an incident
happened, she felt guilty of everything that
happened.
b. Sister Lourdes by Jodi Sta. Maria
 A novice nun that recently went to the
monastery then later on becomes an extern nun
together with Sister Remy. Was raped and
 started changing her attitude but later on
accepts the reality of the world’s unfairness.
c. Sister Vera by Raquel Villavicencio
 An old nun in the monastery. Truly caring and
takes all the responsibility to anything that
could happen to the other nuns in the
monastery. Was all along beside Sister Ruth.
After the incident, started feeling guilty after
being careless about Sister Remy being an
extern nun.
d. Sister Ruth/Mother Superior by Fides Cuyugan-
Asensio
 The mother superior of the monastery. Just like
Sister Vera, caring and have great care about
the nuns in the monastery. Felt great guilt after
the incident that happened to Sister Lourdes
that she started doing self-flagellation.
e. Sister Marcia by Rustica Carpio
 Past mother superior but as soon as she became
ill, Sister Ruth took her place. Randomly sees
characters and visions.
ii. Supporting Characters
a. Star Orjaliza Sister Socorro
b. Madeleine Nicolas Delia
c. Al Gatmaitan Ferdie
d. Angelita Raymundo Sister Leny
e. Antonette Garcia Sister Ellen
f. Irene Celebre Sister Celia
g. Maria Monica Reyes Sister Emilia
h. Regina De Vera Sister Clara
i. Ellen Rowy Sister Asuncion
j. Wilma Olivar Sister Olga
k. Caroleen Joy Ileto Siste Cora
l. Amante Pulido Doctor
 m. Danny Carolino Father Max
n. Constancio Gan Bishop Lopez
iii. Other Characters
a. John Relucio Rapist #1
b. Shielbert Manuel Rapist #2
c. Rey Peru Rapist #3
d. Jose Gallego Jr. Police #1 (as Jose Gallego)
e. Bobby Tamayo Police #2
f. Moises Magisa Father Confessor
g. John Christian Dela Cruz Reporter
h. Ces Aldaba Bishop
i. Louise Gupit Nun #1
j. Katrina Corda Nun #2
k. Kim Legaspi Nun #3 (as Kimberly Legaspi)
l. Joan Guevara Nun #4
m. Michelle Cruz Nun #5
n. Joyce Bargan Nun #6
o. Patricia 'Star' Meneses Nun #7
p. Gary Lim Archbishop / Distraught Husband / News
Reporter (voice) (as Garry Lim)
q. Jojo Riguerra News Commentator / Distraught
Brother (voice) (as Jojo Riguera)
r. Jessie Morena Distraught Mother (voice)
s. Rolly Saquilabon Ferdinand Marcos (voice)
I. Enterainment value
i. Overall, the movie was worth the watch even if it is not
timely but what made it very amusing is that first it’s appeal
and uniqueness that it tackles about the life of cloistered
nuns during Marcos-era and how their peaceful life changes
into something unexpected. Also what made it powerful is
that they were able to choose the right actresses that could
be able to tell many things without even speaking. I
personally like psychological films since it gives me chills
and thrills yet it very amusing since there is a lot that should
be expected upon twists and turns of events. It was also
creative because only a few could mix their own
imagination with the history which happened in the film.
Every aspect of the film cooperated with each other even
though it seemed risky. Also, I liked it since it tells us a
lesson about guilt that each and everyone could relate to
since everyone has decisions to make that result into long
term consequences and later on could create guilt.