LIT 2/LIT 3 (MASTERPIECES OF WORLD LITERATURE)
Name: Dennis Artugue Date of Submission: October 12, 2020
Course & Year: BSED-Filipino IV Instructor: Ma. Aileen S. Casera
Module 6 – Dramas of the World
Activity 1
Instruction: Watch the movie “ANAK” WITH Vilma Santos and Claudine Barreto in
Youtube and critic following the elements of drama. Write your output
here.
ANAK
Anak is a touching tale, reflecting the hardship numerous overseas Filipino
domestic workers have to undergo for the sake of their family’s livelihood. In the film,
Josie, portrayed by Vilma Santos, is the representative for those tireless Filipino maids
and nannies working abroad. After several year of working for a wealthy couple in Hong
Kong, Josie finally earns the opportunity to return to her native Philippines and reunite
with her children, whom she hasn’t see for many years.
Upon arriving in her homeland and meeting her grownup children, Josie (Vilma
Santos) realizes that the next chapter in her life was not what she expected. First, her
plans of starting a business in her hometown are met with several unresolvable
obstacles. In addition, Josie discovers that her absence from her children’s lives have
made them emotionally-guarded, especially considering the death of their father, Josie’s
husband, following Josie’s departure from the Philippines. Her eldest daughter, Carla,
portrayed by Claudine Barretto, has especially grown explicitly hostile towards her.
Josie discovers that years of working aboard to financially support her children have,
ironically, made her a stranger in their eyes.
As the movie progresses, the plot turns its attention to Carla. Struggling with
feelings of abandonment, Carla carries heavy resentment for her mother while longing
for her now-deceased father. She has descended into a life of promiscuity and
debauchery. Surprisingly, she has even had two abortion as a result of her self-
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destructive lifestyle. Josie displays nothing but unconditional love and affection for her
oldest daughter, which has only enraged Carla as she continues to carry that baggage
of rancor.
The younger kids, Daday (Sheila May Alvero) and Michael (Baron Geisler), are
guarded around Josie, and while in time they are able to mend their relationship with
their mother, the oldest, Carla (Claudine Barretto) does nothing to disguise her
resentment for what she sees as a callous abandonment of her family.
The star for all season had played very tough job as a mother. Vilma was
spectacular in every aspect of the movie. It was a heavy drama as there were a lot of
heavy scene in which she cried every moment. She is clearly showing why she was the
perfect spot for this role. The way she said those heavy lines breaks your heart. It way
too convincing beyond. Claudine's acting outstanding, no doubt it her break-out
performance in her career. There are a lot scene that you just wanna slapped her in the
face for her bratty attitude. That is how convincing her performance in that film is.
Claudine Barretto wonderfully conveyed the rebellious nature of Carla’s character. She
and Vilma Santos made a brilliant mother-and-daughter pair, capturing the nuances and
grey texture of a parent-child relationship.
In addition the movie conveys and reflects the daily life as well as the intense
moments with an exceptional credibility which makes the overall narrative so powerful it
should leave its audience feeling that this is one of the main reasons for storytelling.
Anak effectively reflected the burdens and anxieties of millions of Filipinos
struggling to make ends meet. Parents worrying about their children’s future. Children
burdened with the pressure of succeeding academically in order to please their parents
and climb the social ladder. The reason behind Anak’s fame was its ability to resonate
with its Filipino viewers, particularly overseas workers and the lower-middle-class at
large.
Anak is an ode to all overseas Filipino workers, hardly laboring not only for
themselves and their families, but for the entire Filipino population.
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