Pedro, an 18 year old farmer in 1800’s Spanish Colonial Philippines is pressured into marriage by everyone around him. He sets off on a journey to win the love of Maria, only to discover his true path in life.
Ligaw was the final screenplay I wrote for my writing specialization class. Honestly this was an idea I had since I was the first year in college. I wrote the 1st draft of this in a rush because I was in a major writers block for about a month. The first draft of this had a major amount of typos and errors, but there was potential in the story, and my prof saw that. The 3rd draft eventually was more perfected and more polished gaining a decent grade of 95.
Ligaw is a Historical Satire comprised of an ensemble of 1800’s Filipino stereotypes. The word “Ligaw” meaning to flirt or to woo, the title goes both ways, Pedro making ligaw to Maria, and his friend Miguel, making ligaw to Pedro, to join the revolution (KKK).
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This film is about ambition. Ambitious enough to push my limits as a filmmaker. Prove those fuckers wrong.
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I wanted to make a film that was personal to me and honors my journey as a filmmaker.
The ultimate goal for this is to pay honor to my grandparents, to whoever who didn’t know or didn’t read it you guys can read all about it in the “About the Director” page
Long story short, all my life my grandparents were the one who raised me, taught me everything I knew since birth, put me in the best schools I could possibly get, and made my life quite comfortable, I consider myself lucky.
Before I became a digital native here in the internet, Lolo was one himself, who discovered Youtube one day and decided to show me old clips of Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton, movies of his time, which made me really fall in love with the essence of old classic comedy. Ever since, my fondest memories with my grandparents are having a sit down beside them and watching different kinds of movies and all, which led me to grow this burning passion for film. Essentially, I made it a goal in my life and told lolo, someday, he’ll be sitting down in a theatre with me and reading my name as large as it can possibly be on the screen, and he’s been nothing else but supportive ever since.
I want to make him laugh, at the same time I want to show him that he didn’t waste anything on me. All my life’s purpose has been dedicated to making them proud, and I want to consider my writing as an ode to my love for everything that they’ve ever done for me.
I think this is the most personal I’ve ever gone with writing a screenplay that really embodies what my potential as both a writer and a satirist can do.
After turning 18, Pedro, a vendor at the bustling town center of San Tonto, is approached by his long-time friend and activist, Miguel. Miguel invites Pedro to join an upcoming rally. During their conversation, they broach the topic of marriage, given that 17 is deemed the appropriate age for matrimony in their community. Initially hesitant, Pedro's interest is piqued when Miguel introduces him to the charming Maria Bara. Consequently, Pedro decides to compete in the town's Harana competition, intending to win Maria's heart. Pedro strikes a deal with Miguel: if Miguel assists him in winning Maria over, Pedro will, in turn, support Miguel in his forthcoming rally.
Before participating in the Harana, Pedro seeks advice from two individuals he holds in high regard: his mother, Aling Nena, a chain-smoking, proud farmer's wife, and the duplicitous Prayle Vincencio, who runs their local parish and harbors a habit of physically harassing the unsuspecting Pedro.