Living in a city, as many would perceive it, is like living in luxury. They assume that they’d live on a big house, study at a big university, and buy clothing at huge malls. Little did they know that such could only be done by some people, most actually suffer trying to survive in the city. The movie ASTIG by Giuseppe Bede San Pedro is a film showing stories of four people who lived in a city filled with horror.
The first character was Arnold Reyes a role done by Dennis Trillo. His real affiliation was in a black market selling fake diplomas, term papers, and the like. With a tough life, he yearned to make more money. With his good looks and charms, he’d take on any woman; he puts on the charms, acts to be loyal, get money through lies, and then leave them. The day after he helped an aspiring seaman by selling him a fake diploma, he saw a young girl named Elgine, played by Glaiza de Castro. He again used his charms on her which actually worked. This then led to the guy lying about his phone being stolen and the girl lending him some money, which she was to use for her tuition fee. They had a night together which later showed signs that both have aids. Out of pity, he decided to leave the girl, but later on, the Arnold actually had showed signs that he was starting to fall for her.
The next character shown was called Boy which was played by Edgar Allan Guzman. He is a young boy who had indulged himself to teenage pregnancy. As his wife is about to give birth, he looked for ways to earn money. He actually had a coin bank to save for his wife but then he had to break it to set his shoplifting mother free from prison. His wife, Meng, was not allowed to leave the hospital for they have not paid yet. He tried to sell his products but none would buy from him. He also tried to ask or borrow money but only one gave him but it still wasn’t enough. Out of desperation, he decided to accept the offer of an old homosexual who most call as the Old Hag. He did what he was asked to do: to give a blowjob. He received the money and had seen his child and took them home in tears.
Next character was Ronald Chua played by Arnold Reyes. He is a son of a Chinese man and a Chavakano woman. He and his mother were pushed away by the grandmother of his father. He then went back to sell the old house they used to live in. He had also tried to reconnect with his brother but he still was pushed away. Selling a place in the middle of the squatter’s area is truly hard which led him to accept what his homosexual buyer did to him. He may have received the pay in cash but he still lost a part of his dignity. He then left the place throwing the picture of his father. On his way he found a prostitute whom he then accepts to bed with. But in the end, everything was just a scam. He was beat with a gun, which left him unconscious, and took all his belongings. He woke up with only his brief on and walked the streets which led him to being imprisoned.
And lastly is Baste de Guzman played by Sid Lucero. He is actually the brother of Elgine who punched the life out of Arnold Reyes. He is the only son of their family; his father was imprisoned for stabbing someone; his older sister currently lives a miserable life. His duty now was to help and protect his siblings and his mother. He was a marine student who also works with his cousin at a pet shop. As the film went on, we find out that he donated blood just to earn money, which also happened while Boy saw his child. Life grew harder and Elgine went home later in the evening. When Elgine could no longer contact Arnold, she simply cried until Baste found her. He then asked to her to tell him who he was which then brings us back to the fight. He had shown Elgine the true identity of Arnold. When Elgine then finds out that she has aids, she decided to commit suicide.
The current life that these people were currently living marked the end of the story.
The film was clearly character driven. The characters did splendid in portraying their roles. The setting, at the city of Manila, was very effective, especially in the suspension of disbelief; the smoky streets, and the crowded people. The use of yellowish colors also helped in creating a certain heavy mood. The lighting was also good but there are some parts that the lights were no longer seen which created confusion to the viewer. But then, that night have been one of their style. The film clearly showed the people what the movie was all about: survival in a real city. The use of sex and music was also effective although there are some parts that the music became too much covering what the film was trying to show.
The style of the film was different from what is common. Its timeline was truly amazing. Every scenario actually happened on the same time but it was shown separated to according to each character. We could notice this on the police station when Arnold was being put to prison; Boy was actually setting his mother free.
There might have been a lot of symbolisms but I have only found a few. One of which is the cross necklace worn by Arnold. It symbolizes that despite the bad deeds that he did; he still has faith in God. We noticed that he actually touches it whenever he is troubled which shows that not all bad men are anti-Christ. Another is the part where Baste donates blood to the hospital which shows that a man is actually capable of sacrificing his blood just to help his family. The abusive sex or the forced blowjobs received by Ronald and done by Boy, actually shows how a man is capable of losing dignity or pride just to earn and survive. Another is when Ronald throws the picture of his father together with the “for sale” sign. This symbolizes that he had finally let go of the past and is now ready to face the future.
I highly recommend everyone to watch this film for them to realize what living in a city truly is. It is as tough as living in a wild animal infested jungle. People need to see what is real and get rid of their glittered fantasy.
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