An Interesting Film Showcasing the Igorot Tribe and How the Banaue Rice Terraces Came To Be

by Jennifer Lapis

Though it doesn’t really show how the rice terraces were formed, how the idea started was conveyed through the tribe and their leader. You might even think that since Nora Aunor’s character is named Banaue, the rice terraces was named after her.

The characters were portrayed in a way they were before, complete with their costumes of the ‘bahag’ for men and being topless for the women. Even the personalities of the characters were accurate, with the men being brutal with each other and to their women.

Speaking of brutality, this film shows how it was during those times. All the raw and obscene details were shown, from the numerous beheading of the tribes people to the way the men hurt and treated the women. It showed how it really was before when there was already a system yet the people were not as civilized as today. In one moment, the leader of the other tribe would whip at Banaue. Immediately after, he would kiss and make love to her passionately.

Banaue’s character was very well-defined, a strong woman who is also passionate about her lover and her love for the tribe. Showing the romance that blossoms between her and Sadek (played by Christopher de Leon), the film expresses how one feels for the other, through the difficulties and challenges that they go through.

The acting of the cast was commendable and I really praise the crew, writers and director for making this film a beautiful yet dramatic film. A blast from the past, it can also teach you how our ancestors were during the time of the making of the Banaue Rice Terraces. Definitely a movie that a chosen few will be able to enjoy.

(According to Mr. Albert Sunga, Star Home Video is likely to release this film soon on DVD. Abangan!)

From ABS-CBNnow! Movie Channel

 
 


Ginawa ni Nora Aunor ang Banaue, isa sa pinakamagastos niyang pelikula, sa ilalim ng sariling film outfit (NV Productions). Noong 1974-1975, ginastusan ito, sa kabuuan, ng P1.6 milyon, hindi kasama ang talent fee ni Nora. (P7.07 lamang ang halaga ng dolyar noon.)

Para mapondohan ang proyekto, ipinagbili ni Nora ang kanyang bahay sa Brgy. Kapitolyo, Pasig, sa halagang P630,000. Nanghiram siya sa bangko ng P600,000. Tumanggap siya ng advance para sa dalawang pelikula (Hello, Goodnight, Goodbye at Lollipops and Roses at Burong Talangka).

Maliban dito, isinakripisyo ni Nora na hindi gumawa ng ibang proyekto habang kinukunan ang pelikula, sa pakiusap ng direktor na si Gerardo de Leon (hinirang na National Artist for Cinema noong 1982). Bumababa lang si Nora sa Maynila tuwing weekend para sa kanyang TV shows.

Higit 120 crew members ang umakyat sa Baguio para sa shooting ng pelikula. Tumagal sila roon nang 125 araw. Naantala ang produksiyon ng bagyo at ilang sakuna. Gumugol ng mahahabang oras si Gerry de Leon sa pagsipat sa kamera para sa magagandang kuha. Sa katandaan, mabagal na rin itong kumilos. Ibinigay ni Nora sa beteranong filmmaker ang buong-buong tiwala.

Sa kabuuan, inabot nang walong buwan ang produksiyon, kasama ang tatlong buwang preproduction at isa’t kalahating buwang postproduction. Milyang hakbang ito mula sa Sampaguita/Tower days, noong panahong nakakatapos ng pelikula sa loob ng dalawang linggo. Gumamit ito ng 83 rolyo ng negatibo, bagaman 15 rolyo lamang ang naging katapusang produkto.

Nakataya ang karangalan at lahat ng pera ni Nora sa pelikula.

April 18, 1975, first-day showing ng pelikula. Nagkatrangkaso si Nora sa tensiyon, pero napabangon siya sa higaan nang mabalitaan ang inutos ng korte: deretso sa Sampaguita Pictures ang revenue ng Banaue (bilang kabayaran sa danyos sa naipanalong breach of contract case ng Sampaguita laban kay Nora; umapila si Nora at nakakuha ng restraining order matapos ang ilang linggo).

May nagsabing hindi maganda ang timing ng Banaue dahil kapapalabas lamang ng record-breaking hit na John and Marsha sa America nina Dolphy at Nida Blanca.

Gayunman, mainit na tinanggap ng publiko ang pelikula. Kumita ito ng P3 milyon sa unang labing-isang araw sa Kamaynilaan, nanaig maging sa kasabay na foreign hit movies na Death Wish ni Charles Bronson at The Man with the Golden Gun ni Roger Moore. Top grosser ito sa Bacolod Film Festival at dinumog saanmang lalawigan ipalabas.

Isa ang Banaue sa mga pelikulang sumalamin sa papaunlad na pelikulang lokal. Bilang pinakamalaking bituin ng panahon, si Nora Aunor ay malakas na puwersang nagturo sa direksiyong dapat tunguhin ng pelikulang Pilipino. Namunga ito sa mga sumunod na taon na kinilala sa hinaharap bilang ikalawang ginintuang panahon ng sine-Pilipino.