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| Mga Uod At Rosas |
Sadly, the film reinforces some conventional and questionable notions about art. An artist as a solitary figure, an artist as a wretched-angst filled soul, an artist's space as a room-of-one's one and an artist as a middle class male. Socorro's role is also conventional as a woman. Taking care of the house, preparing the food, doing the laundry and washing the dishes. Mga Uod At Rosas also suffers from excess. Ingenious at first was the musical score but eventually becomes unbearable. The dialogue is uneven, sometimes witty turning cheesy at some point and the symbolisms were contrived. In spite of these excesses, the film's sweeping panorama of cityscapes captures its transitory nature with almost painterly quality, the attention to detail in indoor spaces transforming the frames into hand-painted paintings and the evocative use of chiaroscuro, the play of shadows and light to create mood. Danny Dalena's paintings are also vital components to the film's overall theme. Socorro is brought to life through Nora Aunor, the sterling performer. She emanates an inner beauty on screen and is unpretentious in her role. But it is Johnny Delgado's portrayal of Ding who stands out in the film as he turns in an understated, yet nuanced performance that shifts from haughty to endearing and from desperate to hopeful. Lorna Tolentino's exuberance as an actor is a contrapunto to Aunor's restraint. The critical scene and the episode that renders the film thoroughly cinematic is when Ding leaves Socorro. At this point, melodrama flirts with melancholy, an uncanny liaison that takes us to the most fraught of ties, the most alienating of emotions and an emergent tone and terrain of affection. Ultimately, as Mga Uod At Rosas shows, there's still life for Ding and Socorro even after art.
Directed By: Romy V. Suzara
Screenplay: Edgardo M. Reyes
Director Of Photography: Romeo Vitug
Musical Director: George Canseco
Film Editor: Ike Jarlego, Jr.
Production Design: Manny Morfe And Danny Dalena
Produced By: IAN Film Productions
Release Date: May 21, 1982
In Memory of Edgardo M. Reyes September 20, 1936 - May 15, 2012
6:00 AM
Hello Jojo!
What a very nice tribute to the late Edgardo Reyes!
Mga Uod At Rosas is definitely one of Nora's best! It is to Lorna's regret that she wasn't able to share a screen time with Nora herself.
I've been wanting to hear the complete end theme of the movie which really is moving.
I just loved Socorro/Doreng's line to Ding towards the end:
“Kaya kong mabuhay. ‘Yan ang sinasabi ko sa iyo noon. Na sa pamumuhunan ko sa ‘yo, wala akong hinihintay na anuman. Maliban sa kagustuhan kong magtagumpay ka. Mawawalan ng kabuluhan lahat ng naitulong ko sa ‘yo kung…kung tatanggap ako ng kabayaran.”
Such selfish love!
6:13 AM
Thanks so much Dennis...
Mga Uod At Rosas could've been a great film if only the screenplay delved more on its subject, an artist and his art. In spite of this shortcoming, the film nevertheless succeeded in all other aspects. Romy Vitug's cinematography is a moving work of art. The acting is excellent and the production design gave life to the characters and their surroundings.
The music in the opening scene was a jazzed up instrumental version of George Canseco's Luha At Halakhak which was recorded by Nora Aunor in the 80's and is included in the 3-CD Vicor set Superstar. Panata, the main theme unfortunately was used exclusively for the movie...
9:06 AM
The focus pala was originally in Johnny Delgado's role of Ding.
That's why opening instrumental at the beginning of the movie is familiar.
Nakakapanghinayang talaga na hindi mapakinggan ng buo ang Panata katulad ng theme din sa Bakit Bughaw Ang Langit...
Oo nga pala, gusto ko rin ang linya ni Johnny na:
"Nangholdap ho ako. Hinoldap ko anak ang n'yo." hehe...
12:27 PM
Another very informative review. Unfortunately I haven't seen this movie yet, but it seems very interesting based on your review. It's always nice to see a young Johnny Delgado in movies. I've only seen him in a few like Salome and Misteryo sa Tuwa. He's always excellent.
8:01 PM
Mga Uod At Rosas revolved around the painter played by Johnny Delgado.
Luha At Halakhak was the theme to Mrs. Eva Fonda 16 and was originally sung by Ric Manrique, Jr. Amado Trivino did a new arrangement of the melody to be used for this film.
Bilib talaga ako sa iyo Dennis... kabisado mo pa ang mga linya sa pelikula.
8:14 PM
Thanks so much Ron! I would assume you have the VCD...
Johnny Delgado was already in his 40's when he did the movie. Mga Uod At Rosas would be the last film where he played leading man although I wouldn't consider his role in Tanging Yaman as such. He was also one of Nora's three leading men in Banaue. Johnny also delivered memorable supporting performances in films such as Init, Angela Markado and Jaguar...
11:45 PM
Not sure if I have Uod on VCD. I have to check my stash. Banaue, I have on DVD (but I haven't seen it yet).
3:51 AM
I cannot believe you don't have Mga Uod At Rosas on VCD... It's been out for quite sometime. I should have given you my extra copy ;)
Have I told you that I wrote the synopsis of the Banaue DVD?
7:17 AM
Yes you told me before that you wrote the Banaue synopsis. I don't know know though if I kept the DVD cover.
I still don't know if I have Mga Uod at Rosas. I just checked yung VCD cover from Kabayan Central, it doesn't look familiar.
7:56 AM
For sure you didn't keep the DVD cover ;)
Really? If you don't have it, I'll send you a copy...
9:19 AM
Buti na lang napapayag si Edgardo Reyes mismo na medyo baguhin ang focus ng kuwento since siya rin pala ang nagsulat ng screenplay?
I didn't know Luha At Halakhak was the them of Alma's Eva Fonda! I thought the song was written for Nora. I really like her cover version.
Kung catchy kasi ang line, nakakatuwa ma-recall hehe..
5:31 PM
The painter was the novel's central character as well kaya wala halos ipinagbago ang kuwento.
Kung susuriing mabuti, may similarity ang role ni Nora dito at sa Nakaw Na Pag-Ibig which was a supporting character to the male lead. This is clear proof of Nora's generosity as a performer. Most big-name stars would demand for equal screen time instead, she opted to do what is required of the role resulting in a truly unforgettable portrayal.
I also thought Luha At Halakhak was written for Nora until I heard Ric Manrique's version in Mrs. Eva Fonda 16.
Ganyan din ako, mabilis ang recall sa mga memorable lines sa pelikula.
11:37 AM
I have yet to see Nakaw Na Pag-Ibig. Nakita ko minsan sa cable but wasn't able to see it fully. All I know lang was the theme was sang by Susanna Pichay.
Truly unforgettable indeed. Kahit supporting, lulutang at lulutang talaga hehe...Ilang beses na bang may pelikula si Nora na manganganak na habang nasa ibang piling ang taong dapat naka-alalay sa kanyang character? I recall Beloved habang nagtatapon siya ng basura.
Was Ric Manrique Jr.'s original version has the same lyrics?
Nakakatuwa kasi ang mga linya sa mga Pelikulang pilino.
4:32 PM
Nakaw Na Pag-Ibig was clearly Phillip Salvador's movie just like Mga Uod At Rosas was Johnny's. The women characters were written to support the male lead. Although if portrayed by an actress of Nora's caliber, it tends to attract attention since she's a Superstar.
In Nakaw, Phillip also left her after he learned of her pregnancy although it's an entirely different situation than Beloved or even this film.
Ric Manrique's version did have the same lyrics. Eva Fonda was about showbusiness kaya naangkop ang lyrics...
6:31 AM
Oo nga pareho sa movies na 'yun na pinaligiran ng dalawang babae ang sentrong male lead. Sina Nora at Lorna sa Mga Uod, sina Nora at Hilda naman sa Nakaw...
Very apt kasi kay Nora ang Luha At Halakhak, 'yun pala tema ng movie. Wala naman akong interest panoorin ang t.v. version ng Eva Fonda, dating kasi sa 'kin mala-Katorse.
4:38 PM
At least Hilda had a meatier role in Nakaw, compared to Lorna in Uod...
Ibang-iba naman ang kuwento ng TV version ng Eva Fonda sa pelikula. Christine Reyes is no Alma Moreno. At kahit si Maning Borlaza ang nagdirek ng movie, Manunuri Nicanor Tiongson proclaimed Eva Fonda as one of the best films that year.
9:10 AM
Jojo,bakit walang eksena na magkasama sina Nora at Lorna sa movie? I saw a movie in the 90s starring Johnny Delgado & Tetchie Agbayani,trilogy ito pero parang matagal na yun movie na yun na noong 90s lang ni-release ng Regal. Was it Tatlong Gabi,Isang Babae ang title? May episode din si Ruffa Gutierrez,can't remember who was on the 3rd episode. May butt exposure pa si Johnny Delgado sa waterfalls scene.
11:01 AM
Thanks Jojo! I have yet to see the original Mrs. Eva Fonda, 16 to see why it was of the best pinoy films as Nicanor Tiongson said.
Walang-wala talaga si Cristine Reyes kay Alma hehe...
4:40 PM
Hindi naman kasi integral sa story na magkita ang characters nina Nora at Lorna. Parang na-imagine ni Johnny nung lasing siya na si Lorna ang nagpupunas sa kanya at hindi si Nora although nagkita naman silang dalawa during the shoot...
Hindi kasama si Johnny Delgado sa remake ng Isang Gabi, it was Manjo del Mundo at episode ni Direk Elwood yon. Christina Gonzales starred in the last episode na dinirek ni Mauro Gia Samonte.
4:43 PM
Don't expect too much pag napanood mo. It's not that great. Di ko nga maintindihan kung bakit nagustuhan ni Nick Tiongson ang pelikula...
11:17 AM
I see. Maybe I would revel more on Alma's beauty in the film na lang hehe...
12:19 PM
Oo nga pala. Si Manjo Del Mundo ang may butt exposure sa movie na yun. Do you remember kung sino ang rival niya kay Tetchie sa pelikula,Jojo?
12:21 PM
I think i saw most of Cristina Gonzales' movies with Regal in the 90s. I remember one her movies with Zoren Legaspi called SUSO'T GATA. Or was that the working title of the movie,Jojo?
5:44 PM
Napakaganda talaga ni Alma sa Eva Fonda at bagay na bagay sa kanya ang role although I much prefer her sa Ligaw Na Bulaklak ni Bernal...
5:45 PM
Hindi ko maalala kung sino yung isang leading man ni Tetchie sa episode niya. Napanood ko na rin siya before sa ibang films ni Direk Elwood.
5:48 PM
Bad Girl ang title ng movie ni Christina with Zoren. Wala na ako sa Pinas nung 90's kaya hindi ko alam kung ano ang working title ng movie, kung 80's pa yan, masasagot ko haha...
11:14 AM
Thanks very much Jojo, I will catch those films if ever it air on cable!
6:32 PM
Hindi ko pa nakitang ipinalabas sa cable ang Eva Fonda or Ligaw Na Bulaklak although the archives at Sampaguita Studios has a print and the betacam SP copy of Eva...
3:11 AM
Thanks Jojo! Nasa list nga ng online pinoy videos for sale...
3:40 AM
Medyo may kamahalan nga lang ng konti...