The noise of Citizen Jake

Before watching Citizen Jake, I told myself I needed to see other works by Mike De Leon. Batch '81 is one of the best films I’ve ever seen. I had already seen Sister Stella L., and then, a few hours before watching CJ, I stumbled upon Kisapmata and understood why it’s such an iconic film. Released in the '80s, it introduced us to new ideas and concepts that were never tackled in mainstream cinema back then.

Fueled by enthusiasm and eager to see another great Mike De Leon film, I watched Citizen Jake alone at Glorietta. Well, I wasn't entirely alone, since I saw a few familiar faces. I saw the St. Scho nuns, led by Sister Mary John Mananzan—a famous activist nun.

I’m quite sad that the theater wasn't that full. If I'm not mistaken, I was one of the youngest people inside the cinema, and I'm already 28. So, that wasn't a great sign for the film's turnout.

Another thing is that there seems to be a rift between Mike and Atom Araullo. You can check Citizen Jake’s official Facebook page to know more about Mike’s rants.

People should watch this film. This is Mike’s bravest and most political movie yet. He still has that signature "shock value." He lambasted the Marcoses, Duterte, and almost everyone in politics with iconic lines like “election na naman, new set of assholes.” That kind of bold commentary is a rare thing to see in movies nowadays.

Though there are things that I don’t quite get. There are too many things happening around Jake Herrera and his family: a corrupt and violent father and brother, the disappearance of his mother, and too many family secrets. Plus, his relationship with his girlfriend, Mandy; a murdered prostitute; a local election; and his career.

Atom’s portrayal of Jake is hit-or-miss. His dialogue and some of his argument scenes seem a bit too rehearsed (mostly when he is with his father and brother). They also look and sound unnatural.

But in the very intense and dramatic scenes—like (spoilers ahead!) when he learns that Jonie (Adrian Alandy), his best friend, has been working with his brother by feeding him secrets—he is deeply enraged, and Atom's performance becomes really convincing. Another scene is when he discovers that his caretakers, Jonie’s parents, knew about his mother's disappearance all along; you can really see the emotion in his eyes.

The rest of the cast members are really commendable. I never thought Max Collins would be this good in the film. I’d only ever known her from her comedic roles on Bubble Gang—you know, the usual hot girl belittling the likes of Diego. You get my point.

I’d even say that, at times, she completely overshadows Atom. Take the scene where Mandy finds her mentee, Grace, dead: she’s standing right beside Atom, but you won’t even notice him. Your eyes go straight to Max, and you get completely carried away by her acting. Max brings out the raw emotion that Atom can't quite deliver when a scene begs for it—though, in one of his final scenes, Atom does manage a single tear falling from his left eye.

Gabby Eigenmann and Atom’s scenes together are hilarious. I couldn't help but laugh whenever Gabby brought up The Godfather. He has truly mastered the art of playing an antagonist—I get irritated just seeing his face.

Like Gabby, another antagonist you'll love to hate is Cherie Gil, who brings her signature Lavinia Arguelles attitude to the role. She plays a former mistress of Ferdinand Marcos who now acts as a pimp for various politicians.

The supporting cast—including Adrian Alandy, Dina Bonnevie, Teroy Guzman, and Lou Veloso—also adds great depth to the movie.

As people usually say, Filipinos tend to forget the past. Citizen Jake reminds us of what happened when we were under strongman rule. Well, we are beginning to experience it again: the Marcoses finding ways to return, Duterte’s dictator-like tendencies, and the collateral damage from the fight against drugs.

You may not agree with everything the movie tells you, but as Teroy Guzman said, “It’s dangerous to be outspoken, but it’s more dangerous to stay quiet.”

Citizen Jake is the noise Mike De Leon and his team are making. Let’s listen. Let’s think. Let's try to prevent history from repeating itself.

Photos grabbed from Citizen Jake facebook account.

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The XXperience

I woke up feeling so excited for the day. I will be watching The xx! OH MY GOD.

I have been watching local bands since college, but most of the time it was at malls where entry was free. I can count on my fingers the times I’ve actually bought tickets to a concert.

This is also the first time I’ll be watching an international act. Well, maybe not actually the first time—I think I’ve caught a few international artists performing in Glorietta or somewhere before, but it wasn’t for anyone I really followed.

Back in 2013, The xx came here. I was really planning to go since the venue was near my office, but it was a Tuesday and it fell on a payroll day, so I couldn’t make it.

Fast forward to 2018: I bought Patron C tickets at the World Trade Center, right near my place. Everything was falling into place—it was a Wednesday, and it wasn’t a payroll day for me.

So, I went alone without eating or bringing a drink. I thought they would sell food at the venue, but no—only beer was available. So there I was, standing near the bleachers on an empty stomach. The show was supposed to start at 8:00 PM, but for some reason, they started 40 minutes late.

They started with “Dangerous.” Though I wasn't familiar with it at first, it was upbeat, loud, and a great way to start the show. Next was "Islands." Finally, a song I knew! I actually got goosebumps. It’s quite different from their newer sound—so simple, yet with such a unique arrangement. It's a song about fully committing oneself to another person. Then came “Say Something Loving,” a song about feeling infatuated with someone while wondering if those feelings are actually real.

Next was “Crystalised.” This was the very first song I ever heard from them. I was sooooo happy and grooving along with the crowd. Oliver gave a short spiel in that incredibly unique voice of his. Before playing “Reunion,” he said: “I can really tell this is going to be a very good one. Thank you so much for being here, it means the world to us, so we’ve done something special. This next song, this is the first time we’ve played it in five years.”

Then came “A Violent Noise,” a song about moments when everything feels like too much and you just need to "silence the noise." That was followed by “I Dare You,” one of their singles—Millie Bobby Brown was actually in the music video! It’s another catchy, upbeat track that just makes you want to move.

Before playing “Performance,” Romy said: “Thank you for singing along with us, that was really beautiful. This next song means a lot to me and I’m gonna be playing it on my own.” Since it’s so special to her, she performed it completely solo. No special effects—just her enchanting voice and guitar.

Next was “Replica,” a powerful duet about either repeating or breaking away from your parents' mistakes. Afterward, Oliver smiled and said, “Can you keep a secret, Manila? You’ve been my favorite on this tour!” I know artists probably say that in every country they visit, but for some reason, I felt like he was telling the truth. No BS!

Then they played “VCR,” which starts with that simple, xylophone-like sound. It was easily one of my favorite performances from their entire set.

Oliver also said, “This is a place where you can leave anything that is causing you pain at home and just enjoy yourself here.” I couldn't help but let my emotions out for a moment. I’ve been going through some stuff, so hearing him say that meant a lot to me.

Jamie wasn’t left out either—he had his own moment when he played “Loud Places” and “Intro.” “On Hold” was no doubt a crowd favorite. I don’t usually like dance music that much, but with that song—and seeing how much the crowd was grooving to it—I couldn’t help but dance right along with them.

Before they played their last song, 'Angels,' Romy ended the show with a lovely speech:

“We are very far away from home, but you’ve made us feel so welcome, and it means a lot to us. I don’t want to repeat myself, but thank you so much. We always want you to know, every time you see us play, that we appreciate each and every single one of you for being here.”

I could see them, but I couldn’t really make out their faces. I loved the light show—every flash matched the beat of the songs perfectly. Romy’s voice is so soft, yet it sounds so pure. At the end, right when she was about to speak, the crowd just erupted in cheers for her.

After the concert, I was completely blown away. I had such a huge concert hangover that I spent the next few days binge-watching their videos, interviews, and anything else I could find about them.

I finally realized why I gravitated toward them so much. They’re often called the shyest band in the UK—they’re introverts, just like me. They don't play overly complex arrangements, which is why their sound remains so beautifully minimal and stripped-down.

There is no doubt that genuine friendship matters when you're in a band. You can see it in the way Oliver looks at Romy and vice versa. When they sing together, it feels as if they’re singing directly to each other.

Without a doubt, this was the best concert I’ve ever been to. Great crowd, fantastic venue, awesome light effects, and a powerful performance by Oliver Sim, Romy Madley Croft, and Jamie xx.Photos grabbed from When In Manila site.

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Sa wakas

I'm so glad I was able to catch Sa Wakas: A Sugarfree Rock Musical during its final run. I’ve been dying to see it ever since it first opened in 2013. It's the kind of show that will completely tear your heart into pieces.

Pepe Herrera stars as Topper, an aspiring photographer torn between Lexi, a neurosurgeon played by Kyla Rivera-Soong, and Gabbi, a writer played by Justine Peña.

Pepe was the first to walk on stage, flashing a big grin 😁 as if saying "Hi" to the audience. But in a split second, his expression turned somber as the music kicked off with "Kwarto"—a painfully sad opening number. When Pepe sang those first lines, it was heartbreaking yet strangely comforting at the same time. Then Kyla took over the second verse, and the emotional weight was just as heavy.

The story is told in reverse chronology. Within the first five minutes, you already learn the reason for the breakup. "Burnout" serves as their final breaking point. The original version has an upbeat, driving tempo, but for the musical, they rearranged it to sound raw and angry to fit their intense argument scene. I was expecting it to hurt just as much as "Kwarto," and while it hit a slightly different note, it still packed a punch.

Then came "Unang Araw"—hands down the saddest Sugarfree song for me. Hearing those lyrics live about navigating the very first day alone after someone leaves just completely cuts through you.

They paired the song with a storyline: they've been in a 10-year relationship and living together, but all of a sudden, they break up and suddenly miss each other's quirks. That first day is easily the hardest part.

At first, you’d think it’s entirely Topper's fault, but as the story progresses, you won't be so sure. Lexi seems to think Topper's photography career is just a joke, and she barely makes time for him. Even when they do spend time together, she’s always the one calling the shots. Of course, cheating was still Topper’s choice—but Lexi definitely played a part in why they started drifting apart in the first place.

Act I closes on a high note, with the trio coming together for a powerful medley of "Bawat Daan," "Ikaw Pala," and snippets of "Prom."

Bawat Daan is Topper's song singing

maligaw man at mawala
Umikot man sa kawalan
Sa bawat kailan, sino't saan
Ikaw lamang ang kasagutan
Bawat kanan at kaliwa
Kung timog man o hilaga
Ang bawat daan ko ay patungo
Pabalik sa 'yo

Ikaw Pala, Gabbi's song

Nung hindi na nakatingin
At saka ka dumating
Nandiyan ka lamang pala
Di ka lang nagsasalita
Ikaw pala, aking hinahanap
Ang bahaghari ko sa likod ng ulap
Ikaw ang hulog ng langit sa puso kong napunit
Dahil sa dramang paulit-ulit

Prom, Lexi's song

Parang atin ang gabi
Para bang wala tayong katabi
At tayo'y sumayaw
Ng hindi na tayo bibitaw






One of my favorite scene is when Topper and Gabbi is singing Kwentuhan, a defensive song, because it has lines like 

Kwentuhan lang wala namang masama
Puro usap lang ibaon mo na sa limot ang lungkot

Tatawa tayo sabay seryoso unti-unti kang nakikilala
Ang sarap-sarap mo palang kasama
Dati kasi tahimik ka lang palagi ngunit ngayong gabi
Parang kay rami-rami mo nang sinabi

Kwentuhan lang wala namang masama
Puro usap lang dahil gusto kitang makilala...

It implies that while you know you aren't doing anything technically wrong, you can feel that there’s a spark or connection brewing. That scene makes it completely clear why Topper and Gabbi fell into each other's arms—they just clicked.

Another favorite scene of mine features "Ang Pinakamagaling na Tao sa Balat ng Lupa"—I think it’s the second-to-last song. It's a fun, upbeat track, but it also says a lot underneath the surface. Right from the start of the relationship, there are unresolved issues that they both just keep to themselves, bickering and taking subtle jabs at each other silently.

Heto na sya, ang henyo ng henerasyon
Kaya mga kaibigan, magpalakpakan
Lumuhod sa kanyang harapan
Halikan ang kalsadang kanyang dinadaanan
Heto na sya, ang pinakamagaling na tao
Sa balat ng lupa

They finished it with Prom. A very happy and in love song. But of course you know what happened in their story so it's still heartbreaking.





Sa wakas is my first musical. And if you are like me, who grew up listening to Sugarfree songs, then you shouldn't miss this show. You will realized that their songs are so damn sad, but you are a masochist so you will still listen to it anyway. And the people behind the musical are sadist, they know how to hurt us really bad.

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