There’s something so nostalgic about watching classic movies on a quiet Sunday afternoon. Years ago, I would plop down in front of the TV during lunchtime and get lost in my little tradition of watching classic Filipino movies.
There was a program that aired films from the 1960s to the 1980s on free TV, and I immensely enjoyed those times. It was like stepping into a different era, where storytelling was deep, packed with emotion, full of meaning, and truly captured the essence of Filipino culture.
I wish they would bring that program back. It felt like a special connection to the past, offering a chance to experience those classic films and rediscover the stories and stars that defined Filipino cinema.
I think it would be amazing for the new generation to have the opportunity to experience those old films. It would give them a glimpse of the rich history and timeless artistry of Filipino cinema and help them appreciate how much those films shaped our culture.
This is also why I appreciate the Digital Classics component of the Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival—it offers a platform for showcasing digitally restored Filipino films, allowing new audiences to discover and experience the beauty of our cinematic history.
Through this initiative, older films are preserved and given new life, making them accessible to younger generations who might not otherwise have had the chance to see them. It’s a beautiful way to honor the rich legacy of Filipino cinema while ensuring that its cultural significance continues to resonate with today’s audience.
With Tanghalang Pilipino producing its latest theater production, Kisapmata, I couldn’t help but become curious about the film it is based on. Directed by Mike de Leon, the film is considered one of the best works in Philippine cinematic history.
The film was based on the crime report The House on Zapote Street, written by National Artist Nick Joaquin under the pen name Quijano de Manila. The report was published in a series in the Philippine Free Press on Jan. 28, 1961, and later became part of his 1977 collection Reportage on Crime: Thirteen Horror Happenings that Hit the Headlines.
The National Artist’s news article chronicled the crime committed by retired detective Pablo Cabading, who shot his daughter Lydia and son-in-law Leonardo. After killing the couple, the detective took his own life.
The film version was screened in 1981, 20 years after the story was published. The story behind the film’s production is fascinating as well. It is said that as early as 1978, the director was already interested in adapting Joaquin’s article. The only challenge was finding a producer willing to fund a film with such dark themes as murder and incest.
Can you believe that this film, named one of cinema’s greatest, was shot in just three months? Years later, while the filming for Batch ’81 was put on hold due to financial reasons, de Leon, director-screenwriter Doy del Mundo, and Raquel Villavicencio started working on the script for Kisapmata. The trio had previously collaborated on the 1980 musical Kakabakaba Ka Ba? and were working together again on Batch ’81.
The 90-minute film starred veteran actors Vic Silayan as the obsessed father, Charito Solis as the daughter, and Jay Ilagan as the son-in-law.
Director Mike de Leon described Kisapmata as a portrayal of strongman rule, embodied by the tyrannical father, Dadong—brought to life by Vic Silayan’s unforgettable performance. He noted that while the film was based on a real crime in 1961, its themes of power and control mirrored Ferdinand Marcos’ regime.
It will be interesting to see how Tanghalang Pilipino brings this iconic film to the stage, capturing the clash of love and fear within a seemingly perfect Filipino family.
Adapted and directed by Guelan Varela-Luarca, Kisapmata features the Tanghalang Pilipino Actors Company as part of the group’s 38th theater season. It will run on weekends from March 7 to 30, with matinee shows at 3:00 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays and gala shows at 8:00 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
For tickets and inquiries, visit Tanghalang Pilipino’s official Facebook page.