By Beng Ragon
How will you reconcile the need to avoid connection and the need to stay connected? Interestingly, two of this year’s official entries to the Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino (PPP) find connection in a common subject that deals with two of the most important things we always search to feel connected to the world: Wi-Fi and signal.
In two completely different portrayals, Ang Babaeng Allergic sa WiFi and Signal Rock tackled how human relationships have become too dependent on mobile technology—particularly connectivity. This dependency has become too much to the point of developing a rare allergy to Wi-Fi and braving typhoons atop dangerous rocks to look for a signal as depicted in the said films respectively. What’s the connection between two different genres talking about Wi-Fi and signal? Technology, more than real-life connection, makes us closer to each other. It doesn’t matter where we are: inside a fancy yellow car or atop a rock formation. The need to connect is inevitable.
Dealing with digital disease
“During our time, there was no internet,” mutters the boho-clad grandma played by veteran Filipina actress Boots Anson Roa in the romantic comedy, Ang Babeng Allergic sa Wifi, directed by Jun Lana (Die Beautiful). Hearing those words was enough to transport us to a simpler life devoid of technology where we take time to communicate to each other face to face. In a fanciful swirl of events, this movie makes us realize that real connection begins when we disconnect ourselves from material things.
Ang Babaeng Allergic sa WiFi
Ang Babeng Allergic sa Wifi was inspired by the story of a British man who was allergic to Wi- Fi, a breaking news in technology reported in 2009 that actually propelled the writer and director Lana to pursue this film project. More than presenting an intriguing piece of science with this so-called Wi-Fi allergy known as electromagnetic sensitivity syndrome (EHS), Lana wanted to delve into this kind of digital disease that eats us all: superficial connection that exists in the virtual world.
As Cignal Entertainment’s feature film installment in collaboration with The IdeaFirst Company Inc. and Octobertrain Films, the film appeals to the social media savvy generation represented by a sweet teenage girl Norma (Sue Ramirez) who is obsessed with technology but ironically becomes allergic to Wi-Fi. She spends time in the province to recover, reconnect with herself and rediscover the real people who care for her deeply. Joining Norma in this almost surrealistic ride to self-realization and romantic love are brothers Leo (Markus Paterson) and Aries (Jameson Blake).
What the movie lacked in solid story-telling, made up for its technical mastery. For one, it kept the viewers captivated by the beautiful scenes shot in melodramatic pastels giving us an almost psychedelic effect. The presence of vintage collectibles like the typewriter, recorder and turntable brought back well-treasured memories of the past, not to mention, infusing music from 70s OPM pop band Cinderella. In the midst of this overblown prettiness and bubblegum nostalgia, everything becomes a feast to the eyes, that it somehow disconnects itself from its narrative and important message. Expectedly, it should have left a lasting impact of defying internet addiction but what stays more are memories of tears, the butterfly scene and handwritten love letters which are all delightfully welcoming and will keep one raving about a very cool era free from fancy gadgets.
Weak signal strengthens community
Award-winning actor Christian Bables in a scene from Signal Rock
Narrating the hardships of Philippine rural life is once again in the spotlight as presented in multi-awarded director, Chito Roño’s Signal Rock that tackles a deeper social problem more than the need to stay connected. The enduring presence of Northern Samar’s rock formation conceals the poverty that continues to loom in the small island of Biri, deprived of electricity and a cell phone signal. Islanders are propelled to climb the rocks where signal is possible to send a message or make a call. Every time the signal weakens, these rocks turn witness to many heartbreaks and hardships of keeping up with long-distance relationships.
When the movie opens with this scenic view of the mighty rocks and waves, we can momentarily forget that a difficult life exists beyond our virtual comforts. Protagonist Intoy Abakan (award-winning actor Christian Bables) allows us to see the many layers of surviving a typical rural life inflicted by politics, globalization and family conflicts. His character mirrors contentment in being the all-around dependable guy who goes the extra mile to help his remote town and family.
Bables’ charming portrayal of Intoy, a far cry from his transgender role Barbs in the 2016 “Die Beautiful,” succeeded in inspiring hope and humor in the midst of a prevailing rural mindset that island girls (his girlfriend included) are destined to marry foreigners to support their families. This honest performance earned Christian Best Performance by an Actor Award in this year’s PPP, another well-deserved recognition for the feature also bagging the Main Feature’s Critic’s Choice Award.
Signal Rock, written by Rody Vera, depicts a fascinating Filipino trait of how one community unites to support each other in the spirit of bayanihan, going the lengths of faking documents to help Intoy’s family. Instead of focusing on the loneliness of living abroad and supporting the needs of dependent family members back home, the camera has its lens on the everyday travails of the island people left behind by loved ones to have a better life elsewhere.
In helping his sister win a child custody battle in Finland, Intoy sought the help of community folks including the Mayor, local government employees, parish priest and wealthy neighbors to prove his sister’s capacity to support his niece. Ready with the fake documents, Intoy and his parents (Nanding Josef and Daria Ramirez) traveled to the main island in a gripping pump boat scene where they had to endure the storm and big waves to meet a Finnish embassy official. Holding on to their rehearsed English words and fabricated documents, all wet and drenched, they succeeded in this “trial” as a family and community.
The celebratory mood in the island, complete with a welcome banner was met by a returning pump boat without Intoy’s sister. With his Nokia 6610 accentuated with a fork, Intoy brought us back to the proverbial mountainous rocks where we can hear him arguing with his sister voiced by acclaimed actress, Judy Ann Santos.
“Nahihiya ka? (Are you ashamed?),” shouts Intoy having to deal with his sister’s decision to stay in Finland with her child than having to face the hometown folks without anything. That scene was immensely moving, showing hurt and pain in Intoy’s voice after what everyone went through for his sister’s sake. Again, the rocks had to bear witness to heartbreaking news with a broken cell phone lying on the pointed ground. Life on the island continues and Intoy finds hope in making another important girl in his life come back to the island.
