Aids and I were lucky enough to snag tickets to the opening night of Rakenrol in the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo in CCP last July 23. In fairness, Rakenrol merited a showing in the Main Theater š
Official description:
Odie and his best friend Irene are two outsiders who find a second home in the Philippine underground music scene. The two decide to form a band and put together an unlikely crew that consists of the school bully, an ex-punk-turned-barista, and a former-childstar-turned-band-manager. The film follows their misadventures as they face satanic S&M bands, samurai swindlers, narcissistic rockstars, the pretentious Philippine art community, and the freakiest music video auteur ever. Co-written by Diego Castillo, the guitarist of one of the Philippines’ biggest rock bands SANDWICH, and directed by multi-awarded music video director Quark Henares, “Rakenrol” is a heartfelt ode to the underground scene both filmmakers spent their formative years in.
All in all, it was a good movie. Though it’s a coming-of-age story set to music, it’s primary purpose is to be a love letter to the Philippine rock community and it succeeded in that aspect. Lots of name dropping, *hint hint wink wink* jokes, and great songs in the soundtrack. I suppose Aids appreciated it on a deeper level than I did simply because as part of the rock music community, he understood all the in-jokes.
Jason Abalos gave a good portrayal of the everyman. Glaiza de Castro was appropriately cute and spunky, though she got on my nerves from time to time. Ketchup Eusebio and his character are probably my favorites among the cast. Rakenrol‘s regular commercial run starts on September 7 in cinemas around the country. Go watch it!!! š
As befitting a movie on rock and roll, there was an after-concert (as opposed to an after-party :P) during and after the screening. We arrived in time for the last song from Taken By Cars (one of my favorite bands woot!). Ciudad came after TBC, then Pedicab after that. Pedicab’s set reminded me of why I ought to get their CDs ASAP – their dance punk sensibilities (described by Aids as “Franz Ferdinand with synths, loops, and baseball bats”) got me jumping and dancing along with them. Diego Mapa’s endurance beats that of the Energizer bunny. Hapipaks played after Pedicab, with support from Mikey Amistoso of Ciudad (he wrote the original music for Rakenrol) and other Pinoy musicians.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBTKjtchV50]
We decided to call it a night after Pupil’s first song. Aids couldn’t resist and bought a Baron Munchausen band shirt before we left š Cheers to Pinoy rock music!