Losing sleep over screenwriter Pete Lacaba
Recently, I found myself still awake at three in the morning. I decided to watch TV in hopes that a boring movie or infomercial would lull me to sleep. I chanced upon Boy Abunda interviewing Pete Lacaba on "Inside the Cinema." over Cinema One. Close to two hours later, I was still wide awake. It was an interesting feature on a person I really admire and I couldn't bring myself to turn off the TV.
Pete, of course, is one of the country's distinguished screenwriters with award-winning works like "Sister Stella L," "Jaguar," "Segurista," and "Kapit Sa Patalim: Bayan Ko," Last week, the Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino gave him a Lifetime Achievement Award for his accomplishments.
What was surprising about his guesting was that no network has ever devoted that much airtime to a non-star. Show biz talk shows like "The Buzz" and "Showbiz News Ngayon (SNN) are more interested in the private lives of celebrities, who's doing what to whom, whose marriage is on the rocks, which macho actor is actually a screaming fairy, etc. Ironically, Boy is also involved in those two productions.
How refreshing to watch the two discuss the craft of moviemaking instead of the latest "intriga" in the entertainment industry. Pete's first writing credit was for one segment of the late Joey Gosiengfiao's "Babae: Ngayon at Kailanman" in 1977 based on the stories of Nick Joaquin. It was the future National Artist who handpicked Pete for the project since they were both working with the Philippine Free Press. He was assigned to do the screenplay for "May Day Eve." Two years later, he would work with Lino Brocka whom he had met on the TV drama anthology, "Balintataw." The movie was "Jaguar" for which he and co-writer Ricky Lee would win a Gawad Urian award for their screenplay. Lino would win for Best Director.
Pete has nothing but praise for the late director. Lino respected his script and would consult him if changes had to be made. In fact, Pete would be present during the shoot so he could make the necessary revisions. Not so with a few directors who took liberties with his work. Once he saw the finished product on the big screen and noticed that it was totally different from what he had written. He never worked with that director again.
In most cases, Pete is given enough time to write his script and make changes, if needed. In the case of "Angela Markado(1980)," shooting started without the final script. Thus, as soon as Pete would finish several sequences on his typewriter (there were no computers then), the pages would be rushed to the set.
Of the scripts in his filmography, I like "Sister Stella L." the best especially because its director, Mike de Leon did an outstanding job. In the interview, Pete revealed some background info on the project. For instance, the original title of "Sister Stella L." was "Sangandaan." Marichu Vera Perez, who was helping Mother Lily with the film, felt that the subject matter was already heavy. The movie required a less serious title to draw the crowd.
Pete thought of "Sister Stella" after Stella Maris, the school where he and Mike interviewed a nun for the film. Manay Ichu was still not happy and asked for a "sexier" name so Pete suggested adding L (as in libog) to the title. L also stood for Laban, the opposition group during the martial law period. Although "Sister Stella L." was critically acclaimed, it failed miserably at the box office. Despite this, Pete was surprised to get a bonus from Mother Lily.
Another interesting note. Vilma Santos, who played the activist nun quite convincingly, told Pete recently that only when she entered politics did she understand her character and the significance of the lines she uttered in the movie.
"Inside the Cinema" supported the interview with clips from Pete's movies as well as comments from personalities like Isagani Cruz. Roy Iglesias, Lourd de Veyra and Tikoy Aguiluz. They were unanimous in praising Pete for his body of work. Aguiluz, for instance, lauded Pete for his good grasp of language and a good ear for dialogue.
I only had a few hours of sleep after the show but it was worth it. Here's hoping other outstanding personalities behind the camera will be invited to "Inside the Cinema."
