That Thing Called Tadhana

I've always wanted to watch this film since I saw it shared by my friend Andi on FB last year. It just sounded interesting and it's kind of unusual. I wasn't broken hearted in that romantic sense. I needed no mending.  I just wanted to watch the film. And knowing that Angelica Panganiban stars in the film, I could say that it's one film worth either your time or money, or anything else.

So came Thursday at nagkayayaan ang magpipinsan - Grace, Perry, and I. Simpleng bonding at get away moment 'to so pinatulan ko na. May excuse akong lumabas. I needed it, in another setting unlike my typical visit to Legazpi Sunday Market.

That Thing Called Tadhana. Benta much agad ang first scenes. It kind of reminded me of Before Sunset and Before Sunrise. But better. I dare say better. By the way, JM De Guzman also reminded me SO MUCH of John Estrada. Wow. Just a younger version. But I've had this thought all throughout the film.

Anthony (JM De Guzman) asked Mace (Angelica Panganiban) a question that kind of hit me. "Bakit kayong mga mapeperang mga babae, ang hilig n'yong hanapin ang sarili n'yo sa Baguio? Ba't ba Baguio? Hindi ba pwedeng sa inuman na lang?" (Why do you rich women like to find yourself in Baguio? Why in Baguio? Can't it be in a drinking session?) I actually went on being defensive when I heard this line.

Short background story. I went to Baguio last year. It was June 9, Wednesday. Then I came back last November, after 119 days. I wanted to tell Anthony, "Excuse me. Nandoon kasi ang Nanay ko." I could've gone on giving explanations and all, but I remembered the meat of his question. Bakit ang hilig n'yong hanapin ang sarili n'yo sa Baguio? Tagos eh. May point eh. Hindi nga lang ako mapera. Minsan lang ako burgis.

Speaking of burgis, I like how they used this not-so-common-adjective anymore. Having done so, being understood by both characters, tells you that Anthony and Mace were intelligent people. I even wondered if the younger generation today knew what burgis means. Oui, un bourgeoisie.

Truth be told, I can't relate to Mace's dilemma, problem, whatever you call it. But I love the film. What I can relate with though is the strong desire to run away. And to Baguio, yes. To Sagada, sureness. I've always wanted to go to Sagada and I want to go back to Baguio, but on my own terms. I want to go to Baguio just to be with myself. So watching That Thing Called Tadhana, I had this thought and status on Facebook: Na-miss ko lalo ang Baguio, ang paglalakad sa Session Road every night maging sa Magsaysay Road. Nakaka-miss ang pagtatambay sa Burnham Park at Baguio City Library tuwing lunch break. Nakaka-miss ang paglalakad sa Mabini papuntang UB. Nakaka-miss. Ganda ng cinematography eh. Haha!

Then there was the Up Dharma Down soundtrack, or should I say ringtone ni Ate?
♪ Ba't 'di papatulan ang pagsuyong nagkulang

Tayong umaasang hilaga't kanluran ikaw ang hantugan

At bilang kanlungan ako ang sasagip sa'yo... ♪

There's just something about this song. Perhaps it's because any Up Dharma Song is usually a hugot kind of song.

♫ Ba't 'di pa sabihin ang hindi mo maamin

Ipapaubaya na lang ba 'to sa hangin

'Wag mong ikatakot

Ang bulong ng damdamin mo

Naririto ako't nakikinig sa'yo. ♫

Bottom line, I want to watch That Thing Called Tadhana again. This is the first time I've felt this way to a Filipino film. Walang basagan ng trip. Also, kung wala lang akong seminar bukas, sasakay talaga ako ng bus palabas ng Maynila. Siguro next week na lang.

By the way, credit to Chad Amoroso for the .gifs in this blog entry. I copied them without permission.

Now Playing: Pete Yorn & Scarlett Johansson - Search Your Heart