One Two Bato, Three Four Bapor Explained

One Two Bato, Three Four Bapor
Director:Ben Feleo
Music:Boy Alcaide
Cinematography:J.R. Peterman
Editing:Renato de Leon
Studio:Seiko Films
Country:Philippines
Language:Filipino

One Two Bato, Three Four Bapor is a 1988 Filipino comedy-drama film co-written and directed by Ben Feleo and starring Sheryl Cruz, Romnick Sarmenta, Eddie Garcia, Sylvia La Torre, Romy Diaz, Ian Veneracion, Harlene Bautista, Michael Locsin, and child actors Richard Gutierrez, and Raymond Gutierrez. Produced by Seiko Films, it was released on December 14, 1988. Critic Lav Diaz gave the film a mixed review, commending its honest focus on street children in the Philippines, while criticizing its commercial tendencies and implausible situations.

Cast

Main cast

Supporting cast

Release

One Two Bato was rated "B" by the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB), indicating a "Good" quality.[1] The film was released by Seiko Films on December 14, 1988, with free Seiko Wallets handed out to early first-day viewers.[2]

Critical response

Lav Diaz, writing for the Manila Standard, gave the film a mixed review; though he commended the film's truthful focus on street children in the Philippines, he criticized it as leaning excessively into commercialism and fantastical situations. Giving examples, Diaz was displeased with a scene involving the child actors doing a Hawaiian dance, which he noted was well liked by audiences ("you understood why there are so many crazy people in our midst"), and he questioned how the separated twin brothers in the film were able to convincingly switch places and fool their families when they were only five years old.[3]

See also

Notes and References

  1. News: MTRCB Film Classification and Ratings Guide. November 7, 2020. Manila Standard. Manila Standard News, Inc.. December 19, 1988. 19.
  2. News: Grand Opening Today. November 7, 2020. Manila Standard. Manila Standard News, Inc.. December 14, 1988. 15. Free Seiko Wallets To Early Moviegoers On First Day Of Showing..
  3. News: Diaz. Lav. Lav Diaz. Nakakahilo. Dizzying. November 7, 2020. Manila Standard. Manila Standard News, Inc.. December 21, 1988. 14. Pare, nagustuhan ng marami ang eksenang ito [Hawaiian dance] at naunawaan mo kung bakit napakaraming baliw sa ating paligid..