DEKADA ‘70

A Movie Review

In Philippine Literature

Leah Caserial

Submitted to:
MOVIE BACKGROUND

Dekada 70 was written by Luwalhati Bautista. It is a novel that can be classified as a political and

historical novel. It won two grand prize winners for the 1983 Palanca Award for the novel.

Luwalhati Bautista was born in Tondo, Manila on December 2, 1945 to parents Esteban Bautista and

Gloria Torres. Though she stopped schooling from her course Journalism, she concentrated on her passion,

writing. At an early age of 16, Bautista have already started writing short stories through the guidance and

influence of her parents. Bautista is also a movie and television scriptwriter.

After two decades, Dekada 70 was adapted into a film produced by Star Cinema in 2002 which was

starred by Christopher de Leon, Vilma Santos, Piolo Pascual, Marvin Agustin, Carlos Agassi, Danilo Barrios, Ana

Capri and Dimples Romana and was directed by Chito Roño. Dekada 70 gained the award Best Actress to

Vilma Santos during the Cinemanila International Film Festival and FAP Awards Philippines (2003), Best

Supporting Actor to Piolo Pascual during the FAMAS Award and FAP Award (2003). Best Story was also

awarded to Luwalhati Bautista and a winner of Best Production design during the FAP Award 2003. Gawad

Urian Awards were cited as Winners for Best Picture, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor and Best Screenplay.

The above mentioned awards are just some of the nineteen wins and forty-two nominations cited to Dekada

70.

According to Star Cinema of ABS-CBN, the Bartolome family is a simple middle class family gravely

suffered during 1970’s, the year when the president of the Philippines declared Martial Law. Before the

declaration, the couple Julian and Amanda have assured to give all the freedom for their five all male children.

The eldest sibling has to find his way dealing against the tyranny of the government while the rest of them is

living normally. Amanda the mother wanted to established a career outside their house while Julian wants her

to do the other side. The situation in the family leads the couple to do what is best for their children.
MOVIE REVIEW

Bartolome family has their blissful and normal life before entering the 70’s. The head of the

family, Julian Bartolome together with his wife Amanda, give their children, who are all boys, their right to

express themselves. It just shows how they love their sons. The family belongs to the middle-class, Amanda is

the only woman, and they have five sons. However, they lives have changed when the new president have

declared the martial law. Amanda and Julian have their own dilemmas while at it. They usually fight because

Amanda, as a woman, wanted to achieve other things rather than being just a housewife, while Julian just

want her to become the latter. She is torn between the laws back then and her responsibilities as being the

mother and wife.

Due to this upbringing front (martial law), Jules, the eldest son began to be exposed in such rebellious

acts. He first hid it from his family, but still, they have found out what he has been doing because of the unruly

papers Amanda saw. Jules’ decision on joining the NPA is approved by his parents, however, they still fear of

losing him. Jules and his younger brother (and the third son), Emmanuel, are partners in fighting the

government because Emmanuel writes what Jules dictates. The second son, Isagani became a member of the

navy. Jules fought over Isagani being one of the US Navy since he obviously doesn’t like it; Jules is a

nationalistic person. However, Gani still managed to become one. But before that, he made his mistake of

getting his girlfriend pregnant and suddenly became married. Yet, their marriage did not work because his

wife has something to accomplish with her life. The fourth son is Jason, Julian’s favorite. Jason is a typical

teenager and enjoys life too much. He is a happy-go-lucky child. He brings cheers to the family especially when

struggles come. But Jason died, not by his witty acts, but because the police killed him, unjustified. And

the fifth son is Benjamin. He is merely in the middle of his teenage years back then and still doesn’t have a

broad understanding about what is happening around him

The story was well thought of. It did not leave out anything that was needed. It was heartwarming.

The director did a great job with the film. All actors and actresses really proved themselves. Even I myself was
moved with the situation. One can really be carried out by his emotions because all scenarios have actually

existed in the society.

“Society can make and unmake you, but with parent’s guidance and love, everything will be fine”

Questions and Answer

1. What makes Amanda decide to leave her husband? They learn to sort things out and showed that even if

they face different obstacles in life and even if they have different opinions, they still proved that at the

end of the day, they are still family.

2. What makes relationship works? Communication.

3. What made Amanda decide to remove the things of Jules out of his room? When Jules sent his brother a

letter that talks about mothers are just an instrument to bring their kids out of this world which insulted

Amanda.

4. Who among the siblings did not undergo due process? Jason

5. What type of novel Dekada 70 is? Political or Historical Novel

6. What was suppressed during this period in the Philippines? Freedom of Speech

7. What would remind you about husband and wife aside from loving and caring of each other? That men are

not the only ones who can work and do something for a change, but also women.

8. Despite of allowing Jules to join the NPA by his parents, what was the fear of his mother? The fear of

losing him

9. What do you think is the good thing from these parents toward their children? They are given the right to

express themselves.

10. Why do you think Julian did not allow Amanda to do what she wants in her life? He thought that he is

superior than his wife.