Pag-asa (Hope). 1951. Philippines. Directed by Lamberto V. Avellana. Screenplay by Daisy H. Avellana, Jose V. Avellana Jr. With Priscilla Cellona, Armando Goyena, Enrique “Ike” Jarlego Jr. DCP. In Filipino; English subtitles. 94 min.
“Pag-asa is probably one of the few LVN movies I never grow tired of watching. Some crucial scenes are missing in its surviving version, but I’m still caught up by the precise fusion of excellent camerawork and fine naturalistic performances. I don’t know what Bert [director Lamberto V. Avellana] thought of this film, but I’m convinced that he was inspired in making it, even if it was just a tearjerker. Though set in the slums of Intramuros, a favorite location of Bert’s, it didn’t dwell on abject poverty (that would come later, in Anak Dalita). Instead, the narrative focuses on the relationship between a virtuous young woman and her brother and the young man who loves them…. In Pag-asa, it seems that Avellana’s camera was always where it was supposed to be, and the actors moved in and out of this cinematic space in perfect harmony with the characters’ relationships to each other” (Mike De Leon, Last Look Back).
Please note, little survives of the film library of LVN studios, and what does survive is generally in poor condition. We nonetheless present these rare films so that New York audiences can experience them for the first time.