by Emily Manuel
Contributor
Eagle News and Features
NET 25’s “Hapi ang Buhay” takes to the big screen with “Hapi ang Buhay, the Musical,” the second movie release of Eagle Broadcasting Corporation’s film outfit (EBC Films).
Originally developed as a sitcom, the musical features the original cast joined by veteran actors Victor Neri, Antonio Aquitania, and Mike Magat. The movie is written and directed by acclaimed director Carlo Jay Ortega Cuevas who has won international awards for his movies “Walang Take Two” and “Guerrero.”
The story begins when the residents of Barangay Kaysaya discover the body of Alfajor, the neighborhood money lender, lying unconscious in an alley. Alfajor works hard to earn a living and tries to impart the same work ethic to the barangay’s youth.
With everyone a suspect, the residents scramble to find clues. With the prospect of spending time in jail, neighbors accuse one another with whatever news they find. They all end up in front of a judge who has to untangle a web of testimonies to find the real culprit. After many twists and false starts, the truth of what really happened to Alfajor is ultimately revealed.
The narrative is well-written and leaves enough for the audience to participate in the mystery solving. While the focus is to impart values, the script is also witty enough to keep the audience entertained. The humor is kept clean and simple.
The film score also helps to develop the plot and adds whimsy to an otherwise somber mystery theme. The music and choreography are modern, upbeat, and appealing to a young audience.
The cast does a stellar job of breathing life into otherwise ordinary everyday characters. First-timers who have never seen the sitcom could easily understand the individual personalities and how they relate to one another. It leaves the audience curious about what will happen to Oblax, Dondon, Jacque, Estella and the rest of Barangay Kaysaya in future episodes of the sitcom.
It has been well-received by audiences as imparting good values and family entertainment. Daisy Pangan, 47, of Balintawak says: “Maganda, kasi may aral para sa mga kabataan tungkol sa pakikipag-kapwa tao at hindi basta maniniwala sa social media o fake news.” [It’s good because it contains lessons to the youth about how to get along with your neighbors and how not to easily believe social media or fake news.]
EBC Films’ “Hapi ang Buhay, The Musical” will be screened at select SM Cinemas until November 2018.
