Bulaklak Ng Maynila

Just watched "Bulaklak Ng Maynila." The movie was based from Domingo G. Landicho's novel with the same title.

So, what can I say? I admire Ms. Elizabeth Oropesa's acting - syempre naman... and I think Ms. Angelu de Leon's portrayal as Ada was also OK, but again, the story is too typical and predictable.

So, the story goes like this...

Azun (Elizabeth Oropesa) is a wife and mother living in a slum in Manila, where she sells goods on the street. Azun's husband Roque (Bembol Roco) becomes involved in a burglary that goes awry, leading to a lengthy jail sentence. Needing safety and support, Azun becomes involved with Timo (Christopher De Leon), leader of a local crime syndicate. But Timo's protection does not extend to Azun's teenage daughter Ada (Angelu De Leon); Timo rapes Ada, then forces her to leave her boyfriend (Jomari Yllana) and start dancing in his strip club. When Azun learns what Timo has done to Ada, she makes plans to get her revenge. 

Life in urban poor Manila, a battered wife, someone who because of poverty, was prompt to become a bar dancer in a girlie bar and as a finishing, rape and revenge. Very predictable.

I didn't find Christopher De Leon's character as something new. Masyado ng gasgas yung ganyang uring character sa mga Pilipino films, yet Christopher De Leon's performance as Timo earned him Best Actor honors at the 1999 Metro Manila Film Festival.

Over all, I give the film 3-star.