**I don't know why my video uploaded that way :( It doesn't really have those little pixelated things.
Usok ng Mapupusok na Araw Opening Credits
The short story that I chose was “Usok ng Mapupusok na Araw” by Ruth Mabanglo. The whole video is about the habits of the protagonist, Lucing, before she goes to visit her loved one. First that you see is a lamp turned on. It plays with the word “araw", and it symbolizes the sun and the light bulb itself. The light bulb is known for its symbolism as an idea or solution to a problem—and Lucing experiences a lightbulb moment when she realizes that she is better of as an independent woman and is able to make her own decisions that will benefit her well-being.
The telephone sets the time frame which is around the early 80s. The dialing of the phone symbolizes her habit of coming back and forth to her loved one, Nasser. The conversation she had with Nasser through the phone shows that she is submissive and follows what Nasser tells her to do.
A dead giveaway is the smoke from the cigarette. There are assumptions that women who smoke tend to be more promiscuous compared to those who doesn’t.
I played with the word “mapupusok” with the meaning of it as ‘slutty’—and the shots of the person in it as if she has a hidden identity and isn’t supposed to be revealed for public viewing. Another way I played with the word is the use of a cat as her pet. Cats are symbolic of being the flirty/malandi animal. Another thing about the cat is that it is symbolic of Lucing as well. It is first seen in a cage, which symbolizes Lucing’s entrapped state being with Nasser. The cat is then released, which Lucing will experience towards the end: being released from Nasser’s cage. Like the cat, she is a bit scared of what’s to happen after being freed but still pushes through.
Her outfit change from her office clothes, which shows that she is stable and middle class, to a sleeveless top and jeans, which shows that she likes to impress Nasser even a little bit from her efforts of fixing up. The animal print shoes also plays with the word “mapupusok,” with its meaning as “wild.”
I used the instrumental of Lana del Rey’s song Blue Jeans. The rhythm of the song mimics the disposition of Lucing. The sound of the bass and its tempo is symbolic of how Lucing is in deep thought, and when the drums came in, it shows how confused and troubled she is with her pregnancy. With the lyrics, the song is about a girl who is in love with this guy who wants to make a life with him. Despite all the problems, the girl still loves the guy and still wants to be with him. In a way, it’s similar to Lucing and Nasser’s relationship. Just like for Lucing, she is willing to give up the baby to be with Nasser. Lucing got caught up with Nasser’s game.