Twenty five
years ago, Stella Legaspi reached a crossroad as she is confronted by
an old and emerging love. In the film Sister Stella L (1984), the title
role played by Vilma Santos is pursued by her ex-boyfriend while her
heart spontaneously goes out to the labor movement. She is luckily not
torn between the two. But social circumstances make the three parties
intricately intertwined and Stella would be remembered for the dignified
and inspiring manner she tackled the situation.
Awakening and
decision making lie deep in the heart of Sister Stella L. as it
tells the story of how a nun decides to chart a new path in her chosen
vocation. In the film, Stella L. gradually discards her old
life of comfort and conformity. It was the height of social dissent
and Stella is tucked in the confines of a convent.
In the strike
area, Stella learns more than what she probably hoped for as revolutionary
praxis is debated amongst the workers themselves. At the center of the
debate is labor leader Ka Dencio whose proletarian countenance is played
ever so convincingly by Tony Santos. Back in the convent, Stella's
appeal to be officially transferred to the community was denied.
The tragic
deaths and the circumstances surrounding it are among the turning points
and crossroads which the film is rife with. In the Venice Film Festival,
the film was shown under its original title Sangandaan (Crossroads).
Until now, the movie theme song of the same title is sung by activists,
mostly from petty-bourgeoisie origins like Stella.
The Manunuri
ng Pelikulang Pilipino bestowed it with all major awards except production
design. Other awards were given by the Film Academy of the Philippines,
Star Awards, and FAMAS. It will also be named one of the most important
Filipino films and Mike De Leon one of the most important Filipino filmmakers.
The creative team—which include scriptwriter Pete Lacaba, Cesar Hernando,
Rody Lacap, Ding Achacoso—continues to chart illustrious careers in
the creative industry to this day.
As a modest
tribute to Sister Stella L., the UP Film Institute is holding a special
anniversary screening of the film on March 20, 2009 at the University of the Philippines-Diliman Cine Adarna
at 5:00 pm. Dubbed Sister Stella L. @ 25: Tuloy ang Pakikibaka, the activity is organized by the Film 280 class in cooperation with
the Vilma Santos Solid International, Inc. Film scholars, members
of entertainment press and cast and crew of the film will serve as panelists
in the forum to be held before the screening.
The activity
is an attempt to show the striking and continuing relevance
of the film 25 years after it was shown. After two people uprisings
which saw the likes of Sister Stella stopping tanks on the street and
toppling despotic regimes, the social landscape fictionalized in the
film remains a concrete reality. Workers go on strike for the same reasons
the generations before them did so. Labor leaders and militants like
Ka Dencio continue to march towards tragic deaths as they fight for
their rights. In light of these facts, the film continues to inspire
love among people and thrusts them into crossroads where important life
decisions are inevitably made.
Tickets are
sold at 50 pesos each. For inquiries you can text or call Ramil at 09178071978.
Sister Stella L. @ 25: Tuloy ang Pakikibaka will take place on March 20, 2009 at the University of the Philippines-Diliman Cine Adarna
at 5:00 pm.