Padre de Pamilya (2009)

The following ideas rest inside the scope of the movie.  These are mere observations on what the movie depicts, not the writer’s opinion on what the real world is.

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Every scene opens consciousness on the disturbing issues regarding Filipino morale.

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The movie speaks about scandal, corruption, and ideals that are often taken for granted.

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We Filipinos love our family so much that we will do anything for them in order to survive. That is actually true especially those who are underprivileged.

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The father, as head of the family, must find ways in order to feed their loved ones. Then, instead of doing the right things, some are forced to steal and even kill. Poverty is one of the motives.

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Part of it is our political leaders who are hungry for money. Instead of helping out those who are in need, they are the ones who are pushing and making the lives of the people miserable. Of course, no one would even dare to voice out and spill the beans for people are scared and unsecured.

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Filipinos are “sipsip”.  Most people do not know themselves anymore and some tend to forget the principles and values they believed in. Some are stuck and does not even care that their bosses are doing the wrong things for as long as their family receives something.

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The characters are talking about false faith(…“mag-alay ng itlog para ika’y tulungan”…“kay Maria dapat magdasal dahil siya yung malapit sa Dios”…). Some Catholics, though they are going to church, do not even know the reason why they pray to these saints or do not even know the core meaning of being a Catholic; worse, they are taking some teachings into a different understanding, which then leads to misinterpretation for other people.

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On the other side, it is dramatic the way Ariel (Mr. Mirasol) risks his own job and his principle for the love of his son, his brother who underwent dialysis, and his family.

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The root does not justify the means. Mr. Mirasol took the wrong decision.

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There will always be a way and whatever it is, we should take what we believe is right because God will help us.

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Nobody succeeds in doing wrong things.

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Then, we are human beings and we make mistakes.  The most important thing would be realizing that we are wrong and ask God’s forgiveness.

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Mr. Mirasol was not able to realize his wrong choice because he still pretends to be deaf and blind choosing the wrong decision and patronizing the mayor’s dirty works.

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Surprisingly, the movie did not end up the normal way people expect it to conclude—the mayor behind bars. Instead, Mirasols became rich for keeping the Mayor’s secrets.