Chavit: Chavit Singson Story (2003), starring Cesar Montano, directed by Carlo J. Caparas

Golden Lions Films presents a Starman International and Velcor Films initial offering, a film by Carlo J. Caparas. Chavit starring Cesar Montano as Luis "Chavit" Singson.

The film may be outdated now in style but I should say I actually like it. Aside from the sheer entertainment value and the numerous portrayals and cameo appearances by the famous stars, I believe this is a rare dramatization of a point of view of contemporary local and national history which can also be balanced with the other films such as Bingbong: The Vincent Crisologo Story (1991). Although names of some of the protagonists were changed, I still screened this 3-hour film in my field trips to Vigan so students can familiarize themselves with many of the places we will visiting and the people we will be talking about. of course, talking about the nuances in history because historical films will always be a work of art and fiction, and interpreation of history, not real history.

And yet, what is interesting for me in the style of the filmmaking of Carlo Caparas is how he dramatizes history in a textbook way which makes the history easy to follow. First, the film is a sweeping, comprehensive chronological portrayal of Chavit's role in the larger Philippine History. Second, familiar national history characters will also be protrayed and two of them (Marcos and Erap) were protrayed by my idol Willie Nepomuceno. Third, how when we get nearer to the more contemporary events, you will see the actual personages of history doing cameo and acting their own roles, especially in the scenes about EDSA Dos (2001). Even one of the antagonistsa appear with Chavit in one of the scenes, making the impression of tacit approval of this otherwise unflattering version of his story.

Thus, for the interest of public history, my YouTube channel presents this film, which may be an interpretation of history, but also a historic document in itself for the history of film in the Philippines, and a point of view in the political history of the country.

Uploaded with permission from Narvacan Mayor Luis "Chavit" Singson through Ms. Charlene Singson, to commemorate the 35th anniversary of the People Power Revolution, an event which was portrayed in the film as well.

Important: Some muted audio are due to deletion of portions claimed for copyright purposes which if not deleted will result to the banning of the video. I decided this is better so we can see most of the material.

Видео Chavit: Chavit Singson Story (2003), starring Cesar Montano, directed by Carlo J. Caparas канала Xiao Chua