Magkakapatid (Kim Homer Garcia, 2010)

An interpretive claim class paper on Kim Homer Garcia's Magkakapatid.

“Utang na loob” or a sense of gratitude binds the giver and the receiver once the deed has been done. It becomes a very strong bond overnight that the “needee” and the needed sometimes become indebted to each other for life. Unless one has the courage to end it, it will go on for eternity and can be passed on the generations to come.

If utang na loob is binding, what more if blood relations is present? Taken from Julio Diaz’s character’s point of view in Magkakapatid, that is where his dilemma comes in.

His youngest daughter is about to get married to a good and responsible man. He should be rejoicing, however, he is torn between gaiety and grief over the loss of his older brother who died a few days ago (and whom he hasn't seen before the burial). As his answer to his wife’s statement, “Magsaya ka dahil minsan lang ikakasal ang anak mo,” he said, “Minsan din lang mamatay ang kapatid ko.” As Filipinos, we equally value life and death, especially those of our loved-ones.

On the day of the wedding, he learns that his nephew, Caloy (Nico Antonio), killed his older brother, Lino (Jerald Napoles). As the (middle-class) uncle and the chairman of his city, it is his given responsibility to attend to such need (and crime) of his family. It is inherent that he looks after his family during a crisis no matter what the cost is. It is innate to us, Filipinos, to look after the unfortunate ones and have such kind of obligation imposed upon ourselves. So instead of celebrating his daughter’s wedding at the reception, he is at the crime scene, scrubbing the blood from his sister’s floor, wondering what has transpired during the day, and what he has to do next. He also arranges Lino’s funeral, at the same time looking after Caloy’s case. He may be a father, but he is a brother and an uncle, too, all at the same time. At such a crisis, you can never weigh which position is the strongest.

Such strong familial ties keep the Filipinos together. No matter how tough the times may be, we keep going because we know that our family is behind our backs, rendering their unwavering support. Magkakapatid shows that in life or death such bond will never be broken. As what the tag line says in the poster, "Walang kalayaan dito."



Related post:
Magkakapatid review by Oggs Cruz