Araw ng pighati

Araw ng Pighati, or A Day of Sorrow is a thesis film written and directed by Yan Abeledo; starring Soliman Cruz, Kristoff Tolentino, and Kyle del Mundo. The film was screened during the Thesis presentation program of the University of the Philippines' Film Institute last October 2009. It was also part of the showcase presented in the 21st Alternative Film and Video Awards of the Cultural Center of the Philippines. It won 3rd place in the Narrative category. The film was consecutively shown in various events such as Mogwai's It Ain't Over Til It's Over. last November 2009, and in the Ateneo Video Open 11. last February 2010.
The film depicts the grieving process of a father who has recently lost his son and poses the question as to why he is grieving: is it due to the loss of his son or the death of his dreams?
Plot
It begins with a dream where the protagonist Pacifico Dimaantal (Cruz), more known as Pico to his neighbors and drinking buddies, is sipping the finest coffee brew he ever had while lounging about in his portico. But the screeching sound of a crashing jeepney alarms him and causes him to drop the cup he was holding.
Pico wakes up, finding himself still stuck in his only son's wake, still a poor undertaker and gravedigger. He is approached by an elderly teacher who used to teach his son, Victor Dimaantal or Toto (Tolentino), and expresses her condolence; remarking on how much of a waste it is to lose such a young and talented boy. Pico, seemingly apathetic to this, is then talked about by three figures in white at the back. They remark on the pitiful state of the wake and explain in brief the importance of this grieving process in the Philippines.
The comments of the three figures turn into a flashback with Pico trying to crack open a closed grave, with a little girl (one of the three figures) playing nearby. He is stopped by the coming of his son, the young Toto (Del Mundo), with their lunch in tow. They talk about Toto's dreams of a bright future that does not involve cemeteries while Pico tells how difficult it was for him when he was young under his no-good-father's tutelage and how hard he had to work in order to ensure Toto is able to go to school.
Cast
* Soliman Cruz as Pacifico Dimaantal/ Pico
* Kristoff Tolentiono as Adult Victor Dimaantal/ Toto
* Kyle Del Mundo as Young Victor Dimaantal/ Toto
Production
Themes
Style
Reception

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