Batang Quiapo - Art Imitating Life

Movies, whether local or foreign (that includes teleseryes), can weave storylines based on reality. Cinematic history will attest that we have more than enough biopic films to offer on the entertainment shelf, with plenty to choose from.

Some of the greatest stories ever translated to film aren't pure fiction at all. Biopic comes from the root words “biographical” and “picture” and refers to a film that dramatizes the life, the challenges, and personal dramas of a real person, a political leader, perhaps a national hero. an artist or an athlete.

It can be a period piece, a stirring biopic... an edge-of-your-seat crime drama?—These ripped-from-reality movies will leave you WONDERSTRUCK or AWESTRUCK, and no doubt send you searching for even more.

Reality-based movies provide good drama (that's a kicker) ... a good documentary re-writing and retelling the life of a historical figure can make movie audiences forget the time frame, and allow them to travel to another place and time. That's the immersive power of movies and television.

On the other hand, there is a handful of teleseryes that make disclaimers saying:  "This is a work of fiction.  Any resemblance to real-life events and characters living or dead ... is purely coincidental."

They can say that ... but there is no denying whether fictional or imaginary, the sub-story was inspired by real-life events that are hitting the headlines lately (like the flood control project scams). The controversy was such that it is enjoying tons of media mileage ... the news is the toast of the town ... and with Pinoys' anger nearing boiling point ... it is attracting a lot of media attention.

Take, for instance, Batang Quiapo with Roi Vinzon and Baron Geisler barging in abruptly sa kuwento. Not that I am complaining ... pero mukhang minamadali nila ang kanilang dramatic entrance.  Was it because hinahabol nila na makipagride-on habang mainit-init pa ang mga balita? Strike while the iron is hot ... baga.

It was a stroke of genius they cast them as contractors, and the projects they are involved in are FLOOD CONTROL PROJECT? Coincidence? It was almost too good to be true.

Watching the series last night, there was a feeling of deja vu (the feeling that I have already experienced, seen, and heard the events being presented in the story.) E di ba naman yan din lang ang laman ng mga balita sa TV at sa internet... day in and day out?

And they were talking about corruption, GHOST PROJECTS, substandard materials, and people's insatiable thirst for money and power.

Those talkies really hit us hard. It gave us that feeling like we were eavesdropping on some CONFIDENTIAL and TOP SECRET clandestine government meetings composed of engineers, contractors, and who's who in Manila's mayoral hierarchy. 

One can't help but gasp: "Ganon pala ang mga pinagusapan ... iyan pala ang mga deals nila sa kuwento ... hindi kaya malayong ganon din ang intramurals nila sa totoong buhay... sa kasalukuyang flood control projects?

Beyond issues like "ghost projects" and corruption in Batang Quiapo, flood control projects also discussed feature salient problems such as inflated budgets, rigged bidding systems, and non-transparent budget insertions. 

Kickbacks and commissions have been reported to take a significant portion of project funds, leaving a small percentage for actual construction. These features are the result of a network involving politicians, contractors, engineers, and officials who exploit the system for personal gain.

Was Batang Quiapo giving us a front row seat para marinig nating lahat ang mga ito? Pakiramdam tuloy ng mga publiko ... they were PRIVY to the secret kung paano naghahatian ang mga halang na mga kaluluwa sa perang hindi naman kanila at kung paano ang kanilang involvement maging daan para ubosin at lustayin ang kaban ng bayan.

Last night, another thunderbolt hit us hard ... (parang minartilyo ang aking ulo) when the Vice Mayor Albert Martinez intimidated that some flood control projects ay nilalagay sa mga lugar na hindi naman binabaha.

Ha ...? Anong logic meron ang panukalang ito? Kimpisal ni Vice Mayor ... para daw mabudol ang mga tao at isipin nila na kaya walang baha doon ... it is all because effective daw ang flood control project.

One wonders ... ganyan din ba magisip ang mga taong ating inhalal sa kasalukuyang pagnakaw at pandarambong by way of flood control projects?

Panoorin ninyo ang Batang Quiapo ... para mabuhusan ng malamig na tubig ang ating mga cavalier attitude at matigas na ulo sa pagpili nga ating mga government leaders.