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[bomzkiej]

😘😍😜 #sumpong #blaikejhayden #bunsoy

[tinyhedwig]

Tamad tamad ko buong araw lungkot lungkutan pa 😂 tapos paulit ulit ko sinasabing gusto ko pizza. Natulog ako pag gising ko meron na, thank you Kuya Jay 😙 mwaaaa sorry sinuntok at sinipa kita last night bukas na ulit pramis hahaha XD lab yu! #evilbabysister #pizza🍕 #nimommy #sumpong #kuyabrotha

[subtleoasis]

Yamang Nasumpungan

[We lament that there are no available reviews in the web of the film ‘Tanging Yaman’ (2000) that touches on its theological value. I am happy to share my work online as a tribute to the film that debuted 15 years ago and I hope that someone might stumble upon this work and perhaps find it helpful in their on-going relationship with God. I pray that my classmates will post their wonderful and insightful works too. This format is a bit too long for a post, but I’ll still publish it as I have submitted to our professor–this is a long read.] 

Introduction

‘Tanging Yaman’. It has been first screened in cinemas 15 years ago. That is a little more than half of my life! But when we watched it in class, it was the first time that I ever saw it. A quick query on Google told me that it bagged almost all the awards of the Metro Manila Film Festival that year including the Best Picture. Director Laurice Guillen’s masterwork has without a doubt touched a nation at the turn of the century. It is a story close to home. It was a treasure waiting to be opened, discovered, cherished and shared.

The following is an attempt to review and reflect on the film under the light of theology—at least with the fundamental concepts I learned in class and my present relationship with God. It is an attempt that actually seemed easy, at first. But proved to be a little taxing yet not impossible. First, I will present a personal synopsis of the film. Second, I shall walk through the main characters, seeing them as they appear to me in the film. Third, I will present an interpretation of the film in the light of theology. Finally, I will conclude this with a reflection and a prayer.

Synopsis

The story unfolds inside a church. Observing the many ways people pray with the equally varying intentions they have, young Cacay curiously asked her grandmother Lola Loleng: Won’t God get confused? To this, Lola Loleng replied, God knows our heart’s desire even before we tell it to him and he grants what is best for us at the right time because he loves us.

Tanging Yaman is a story of a family that has been separated by the circumstances of life—own families, past disputes, personal dreams—and was reunited back home through the prayers and sacrifices of their mother, Lola Loleng.

What happens when you stumble-upon a treasure?

Characters

You happen to meet Danny. Surely, one won’t miss him. He is a big stock with a big heart. He believes that his suffering is a great act of love of God who—as Danny emphatically puts it, “punishes those whom He loves.” He is the eldest among three siblings.  A previous mistake has continuously weighed down his big and bubbly stature. His role as the eldest brother and a father of three was also tarnished by this. His main preoccupation is his family. He is tasked to take care of their mother as his own family stays with her in her home. I see him as generally calm, gentle, happy, hopeful and loving.  He has a supportive and understanding wife whose love and commitment is unquestionable—her faith and trust in God too. His humble service was, for Art—his younger brother, a veil to hide his desire to get money from their aging mother.

Then you see Art. The middle child who is now a rich and accomplished man. He has lived to fulfill his, rather his father’s dream. He has been a good provider to his family. With all his triumphs and victories in life, his demeanor stays with that of an ill-tempered loser. He is seen as if jealous and in great want of something. There seems to be no satisfaction in his heart. His words lack gentleness and kindness. He is proud, brute, staunch in his stance. There seems to be no goodness in his heart but one sees his loving concern to those whom he loves expressed in gifts. He is in great want of love. He shares to Danny, “You’re better-off, lacking in material things… But not lacking in love.” He blames God that his father didn’t love him even if ever since and until the present time—his father long dead—he has always obeyed him. I see a man broken and in dire need of healing.

All of a sudden Grace comes back home. The youngest of the three. She eloped and settled in the States at a young age. She slaved herself to work to have ends meet. She appears to be just a money making machine who is seems to be obsessed with getting rich. Her husband’s love is eclipsed by all this material desire. She is especially and easily pissed-off with her deviant daughter. She thinks that all this wanting is for the good of her family. She thinks more and feels less. She came back home for money. Finally, she can work less and be assured of her family’s future. Forgiveness is something she has not given yet to herself—the very person she sees in her own daughter. I see a woman lost and confused.

At home waiting and praying, is their mother, Lola Loleng. Ripe in age and strong in faith, she has been longing to have her family back. But what could bring them close to her? “I am old, with no riches to offer.” She remarks. With spiritual guidance from a priest, she humbly exclaimed, “This ailment you have given me I offer to you. Take it. I surrender everything. Take care of them... us.” She strongly believes that God hears all our prayers and answers them in the best possible way, in the right time. She has Alzheimer’s disease. Now she is more helpless than ever. Weaker than she was. Ironically, this became the catalyst—an experience that has set heart on fire as a bush where God has been able to communicate with her family.

In between we have the ambitious son of Danny, Boyet who—clouded by his own dreams, see not the worth of his family, nor his father most especially. He thinks that their family’s lowly state is a curse and finds refuge in his Uncle Art’s clout where ironically his cousin, Rommel finds his prison. Rommel’s only consolation and the one that keeps him sane is his mother’s love.

Interpretation

I am not quite sure but I like to believe that the song ‘Tanging Yaman’ of Fr. Manoling Francisco, SJ has inspired this film. As John has done it in the Gospel, the first part of the film pretty much sums up the message it aims to convey. With the song beautifully rendered by Chona (Carol Banawa) with a faux choir as a background and the interesting cutaways of various persons in prayer, each having one’s unique intention. The cacophony of prayers faded out as Lola Loleng (Gloria Romero) and Cacay (Shaina Magdayao) appears in the frame and the silence was broken with the latter’s curious query. The answer to the question was a proposition, God knows your needs because God loves you. This was easily and readily understood by the young girl (who appears to be the youngest granddaughter of Lola Loleng) with a simple analogy—a human experience, that of wanting a balloon on their way home. Lola Loleng demonstrated how God would know our needs even without us telling. Then, I thought that indeed this is film is a journey of faith. The religious experiences are obvious but God’s self-communication in the seemingly mundane experience of a family in crisis needs a deeper insight. The pious scenes come as a proposition—faith statements that Filipinos can very well relate with. The rest of the scenes and sequences come to test and to allow the characters, and perhaps the viewers, to personalize them.

God as a loving father.

There is a latin adage that has always been repeated to us: nemo dat quod non habet. I am impressed by the way Danny (Johnny Delgado) is a father to his family. He is someone who leads the family in prayer, interested with the affairs of each member, and is proactive to their needs. He has maintained a calm and peaceful disposition. He was gentle and honest with his words which betrays his rough looks. One shall know that that has was not always the case. The story revealed that early in life he took all his inheritance and squandered them. This alludes to the famous story of the prodigal son (which, is better titled as the Prodigal Father). His father welcomed him again in the family forgiving and forgetting all his faults. His father’s love has changed him and this love has been his refuge and source of strength in the many difficult episodes of his live. His response to this love is faith and hope.

This love was not understood and seen by the younger son, Art (Edu Manzano). He never felt that he was loved and cared for. His gaze was fixed on how immense was the love of his father to Danny.  He was envious and furious. He saw himself as the obedient son who has always been faithful to their father. He did everything that he thinks would please the father and took to himself all his father’s wish. His image of God was distorted. He thinks that God is authoritarian and is someone who is pleased with material offerings. Yes, he recognized that He is a good provider but to reciprocate this, one shall not deviate from his will. He saw not loving mercy but a primitive ruthless God. Unfortunately, this image is slowly passed on to his family especially to his son, Rommel (Jericho Rosales).

God is love and the way these fathers communicate love to their families project their image of God.

God as a guide—a constant help.

A cliché goes to say that behind all great men is a mother. Behind the male protagonist-antagonist in the film are their wives and their mom. Danny has an understanding and supportive wife in Celine (Hilda Koronel). Her love for him is unmistakably pure and true. In the moments when Danny was most vulnerable, she was there. That love made her strong, strong enough even to defend her husband. She recognizes that what keeps the family afloat is nothing material. She sees the grace of God at work in their meager lifestyle.

Art has Nanette (Cherry Pie Picache). Her love for Art is one that see through the difficult character of the person. Her love perseveres in adversity—a love that is able to endure and transcend pains. Her love has a divine source too. She recognizes that there are times that it is difficult to love Art. In those moments she prays for him and sees this act as an act of love too.

Preoccupied by her own ambitions and nursing her own wounds, Grace (Dina Bonnevie) fails to see how love attends and cares for her in her husband Francis (Joel Torre). Afraid that her daughter might fall the way she did, Grace was extra strict to her and is inimical to the young lady’s deviance.

Lola Loleng is silent. She may be old but her eyes aren’t weak. She feels the pains of her children and grandchildren. She rejoices too in their joys. In her silence she accompanies her family, in prayer and sacrifices.

God’s redeeming love—Paschal Mystery.

It appears that Art and Grace fall from the categories listed above. Their fall wasn’t in vain. There is redemption at hand.

Lola Loleng, keen to the goings-on in the life of her children and their families, is suffering. She carries the burden of the pains of Danny, the anger of Art, and the wounds of Grace. In her old age and frailty she asks God about what she can do to ease the yoke upon the shoulders of her children—what a great act of love. An offering was needed and she gladly gave all of herself, weakness, sickness included.

This appears to me as something similar to the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. The excruciating pain of scourging, crowning with thorns, and the carrying of the cross along the roads of Jerusalem up the hill Golgotha was not enough to save us. He had to die. It was a shameful and painful death on the cross.

Lola Loleng died to herself. Alzheimers took on her. She lost all her recent memory but held on to those that were ingrained in her heart… her faith. Dramatically, she succumbed to the disease upon uttering her words of resignation to the will of God and receiving His Son—she entered into a full communion with Him. This caused havoc in the family. Art began to blame, Danny took them all. Grace was torn between her own share in their family’s sold estate and her desire to really come back home. The stress was too much for Rommel. The torture of his father’s seeming arrogance and disinterest to the desires of his heart took toll on him. Without much thought he wanted to come back home—to her grandmother’s place. But the unceasing rain that have captured the tears he ought to shed brought torrents above his head. He was to drown in a river. The end has began.

The family came back home. The silence of the impending death of a beloved son and the ‘death’ of their Lola Loleng brought the family together. Darkness has surrounded them. In it Art found the strength to open his heart to Danny. In this silence the family talked to God. They prayed and asked Mary’s intercession. Nanette pleaded, “You are a mother, like me. Please ask your Son to save my little boy.” Deus ex machina enters. A young boy, backed by a blinding array of light, broke the darkness, dives and lifts Rommel from the riverbed—he is saved! There was a miracle. But what was the miracle, actually?

Reflection

When death gives birth to life. A genuine religious experience brings about conversion—it modifies one’s subsequent activities. The final drama in ‘Tanging Yaman’ may easily be dismissed as a literary device.  That is for those who look at the events as is. But with the eyes of faith one can recognize that what happened wasn’t a random and spontaneous event. It was a miracle! Yes, Rommel was found. He was saved from drowning. But the greatest miracle, for me, happened in silence. Without much fanfare and drama, Danny and Art reconciled. Grace accepted forgiveness and recognized Francis’ love. Art accepted his weaknesses and was opened to healing and to the love of his family. Danny continues to dream. Lola Loleng saw hope and witnessed the fruit of her love and sacrifice. All this came to be in patient and silent waiting, praying and sacrificing. It was all a gift. Faith confessed, self committed, and God’s love was received and celebrated.

‘Tanging Yaman’ brings about the good news through the life of a family on the brink of breaking. Through a humble offering, God manifested Himself. He was there all along. He was faithful to the very end. With Him and through his love, nothing is impossible.

This are the treasures I am glad to find along the way. For the most part of the film and this review, I find myself asking… how’s my relationship with God? Is my faith commensurate to the self-offering I have done 10 years ago? What were the miracles that has happened in my life in those years of radically choosing a life with and for God?

My faith is dwarfed by the faith of Lola Loleng. Sometimes I betray God. I forget how much love He has for me. I forget how passionate I was in giving my all for His cause. I live far below who I am. I have witnessed far fewer miracles. A miracle is waiting to happen in me. The only question is, what’s holding it back?

Lord, thank you! You have allowed me to stumble upon this treasure. It is a pure, persevering, and prophetic faith. Thank you for speaking with me, for bringing my thoughts, my desires and my feelings to you and your love. The brilliance of this faith outshines mine. Let me struggle to come back fully to you. I humbly implore your grace, let me see your face once again. Let me live solely in your love that my service may be a chaste offering to You. Amen.

[sichingnagumiho]

Have u ever heard a male cat desperately courting a female cat? Ganto yun. #sumpong more #gerber #4months

[chasethechancesandchanges]

Ang dami kong gustong sabihin, kaso TINATAMAD AKO !!

[dennaliligo]

Selos, Sumpong at Biruan :))

Ayun, nagtext siya sakin kanina. Bali ganito ang naging takbo ng convo namin (rephrased na).

Siya: Denn, ano 'yung pinagsasabi mo kay Comia kanina.

Ako: Ang alin?

Siya: Na Selosa ako.

Ako: Sabi ko lang naman selosa ka lalo na pagdating sa mga kaibigan mo.

Siya: Natatawa tuloy siya sakin pero natutuwa rin daw siya. Ang gulo no? o ako lang ang naguguluhan?

Ako: Kasi ganun 'yun, nakakatawa kasi nagseselos ka, nakakatuwa kasi nagseselos ka. Hahaha. Ibig sabihin mahal mo 'yung tao kaya nagseselos ka.

Siya: Basta 'yun na 'yun. Salamat ^^

Ako: Sumpungin ka kaya.

Siya: Hindi ako sumpungin. Wala lang sa mood.

Ako: Oh sige, wala sa mood. :) Sabi ko naman sa'yo eh, iintindihin kita.

Siya: Ge, salamat.

Ako: Sanay na naman ako sa mga 'wala sa mood'.

Siya: Ah, buti naman :) Wawa ka naman samin. Haha

Ako: Actually, ikaw lang 'yung laging wala sa mood...

Siya: Ay sorry naman, pasensya na. Lagi kasing nasasaktuhan na ikaw 'yung katext ko 'pag ganun eh.

Ako: Ayos lang 'yun. Sanay na ako.

Siya: Salamat ^^

Ako: Flattered na ako kakapasalamat mo.

Siya: Ah ganun, binabawi ko na.

Ako: Hahaha. Dapat pala nagpapabayad ako.

Siya: Wala akong pera kaya 'wag ka na magpabayad.

Ako (Kasabay niyang nagtext): Hahahaha. Eh 'di kisses at hugs na lang.

Siya (Kasabay akong nagtext): Magkano ba ipapabayad mo? Pag-iipunan ko na. XD

Ako: Ah, pag-iipunan mo na 'yung kisses at hugs?

Siya: Baliw hindi 'yun.

Ako: Hahaha.

Siya: Basta, bahala ka na dun.

Ako: 'Wag kang mag-alala. Nakabayad ka na. XD

Siya: Ah basta wala na akong utang sa'yo ah.

Ako: Hulugan kaya.

Siya: Ay, ewan. Kung ano-ano nang pinagsasabi mo.

Hanggang 'dun muna. Natutuwa ako. HAHAHAHA

Hanggang ngayon magkakulitan pa rin kami.

[gazellebaby]

Did she just give me the "dirty finger"? Lol. No. Napaso daw sya sa plantsa. Kaya pala sad ang birthday girl namin. Happy 5th Birthday, Gillybeans! Love you! 😘😁🎉🎂 #niece #birthdays #sumpong