A reflection on the film Hele sa Hiwagang Hapis
Hele sa Hiwagang Hapis (A Lullaby to the Sorrowful Mystery) is a 2016 film by Lav Diaz about the final days of Andres Bonifacio, the Father of Philippine Revolution in 1896.
One of the things that some people would find odd with Hele is the multitude of the language spoken in the film. One scene they’re speaking in Tagalog, the next it’s in English. Add into the mix with French and Mandarin are spoken by some of the characters in the film. Another rare occurrence is Kiray-a, an Austronesian dialect spoken mostly in Antique. There’s no one Filipino who can speak only one language. At one point, I can speak three, but I’ve long forgotten the Ilokano dialect of my childhood when I moved to Manila. During the time on the film, the island of the Philippines is a melting pot of different cultures and tribes—co-existing and questioning who and what makes one a Filipino. The Chinese-Filipino were discriminated against while the Spanish born considers the native as Indios, who doesn’t deserve to be called Filipino.
This situation made the native Filipinos be divided. Dr. Jose Rizal wants equality and recognition of the Filipino people under the colony of Spain. Wanting to expose the corrupt ways of the friars, his writing has inspired a revolution. Andres Bonifacio wants total emancipation from Spain and free from foreign influence. While Emilio Aguinaldo is more interested in power, employing help from the Americans to complete his revolutionary government. Lav Diaz intricately showcase this by merging the historical figure with fictional characters from Dr. Jose Rizal’s novel and local mythology. There’s also a mixture of animisms throughout the film as three Tikbalang torment and forced Gregoria de Jesus’ group to reflect upon their actions and motivations. Although the Tikbalang is a creature from local mythology, its modern evolution was highly influenced by Spanish culture.
Hazel Orencio reprised her role as Gregoria de Jesus from an early iteration of the film, The Great Desparacido.
Hele sa Hiwagang Hapis is evidently made for Filipino audiences. Lav Diaz did not include a helpful narrative branch for people who are not adept with the Philippine revolution. It’s a just criticism, as this film is both made to rouse emotion and to reflect our responsibility to the Filipino people and to our country. While Maynila sa Kuko ng Liwanag was created for an international audience, its purpose was to let the world knows what’s happening inside the country. Hele sa Hiwagang Hapis is to wake our senses to the current situation our people and the nation is in. It’s meant to recognize the Isagani, Basilio, Simoun, Oryang, Ceasaria, Aling Hule, Mang Karyo, Caneo or the Musikero in all of us.
Isagani upholds his moral ethics, Basilio is fueled by injustice, and the Musikero for his love of county. I can see a lot of Simoun, who used to be bright eyed and hopeful. His dissatisfaction and abandonment droved him to recklessness. The Oryang, who lost her loved ones in an unavoidable conflict. Ceasaria who are bound by her captors. Aling Hule are the caring mothers while Mang Karyo shows total indefference but ultimately afraid of his own fate. Caneo, who clings onto blind faith to save all of us. So, which one are you?
Hele sa Hiwagang Hapis (A Lullaby to the Sorrowful Mystery) is produced by Sine Olivia Pilipinas 2016.