Secosana, Bryan C.

1. Paano ipinakita ang Baryo Kupang bilang isang sibilisasyon sa kontekstong Pilipino?

Taking note that this was during the 1980s, Baryo Kupang was seen as a representation of a rural village in the country. It was a very isolated village with hardly any economic development. Quality of life was poor and the villagers heavily relied on religion to ease their pains and help them maintain hope that they will soon escape poverty or a better life. A representation of the Filipino culture with relation to this film would be on how heavily influenced we are to religion. The other aspect would be when the main character Elsa started to get recognized. People from all over the world/ country flocked to the village in the hope of being cured. And in this situation, Elsa has given priority to those individuals who had something to offer to her. There was a lack of equality and a system of social hierarchy, which resembles the Filipino society at that time and unfortunately, is still relatively present today. Baryo Kupang showed how a society transforms through its ups and downs, as Elsa brought in economic traffic to the disasters of encountering a plague, it shows how people belonging in that time and place react to such experiences.

2. Ano ang papel ng mga kapitalista (maliit o malaking negosyo) sa pelikula?

The capitalists in the movie played a significant role in the movie in my opinion, much like the pop culture discussions in class, these capitalists take advantage of the hype that is currently present and influence the masses to purchase items that are typically not essential. Other capitalists also show the greedy side of business, taking every opportunity to gain profit like the Club and the Hotel that was built due to the increase in human traffic that the Miracles of Elsa brought to the city. More foreigners and visitors, more customers, means more demands, which is basically easy money. They show that every good event that happens can have its accommodating bad side that people can take advantage of.

3. Magbigay ng dalawang madikit na sistema batay sa kulturang malimit makita sa pelikula ?

The main social structure or social system that I was able to see in the movie was how nave the people of the village was. When Elsa was suddenly discovered people stated flocking to the village without a second thought. The people would believe hearsays and rumors easily. There were easily swindled like an old gullible lady to these miracles and turn a blind eye when things went wrong. Similarly to the previous question, the system of capitalism was also very present in the film. People can and will take advantage of whatever situation if they have the resources and the ability to do so. A significant event such as this brings out numerous opportunities for profit and as there are demands, these capitalist will continue to make businesses whether morally good or not.

4. Paano tinalakay and papel ng babae, simbahan, at lipunan sa pelikula?

The (majority of) women were portrayed as very religious and pure, just like how Elsa was portrayed, but it also showcased the counterpart, which was Nimya, who was very practical and realistic with her way of living.

The church played a role as an oversee-er in terms of the events that Elsa brought upon the village. They remained steadfast in spreading the teachings of Christianity despite many followers preferring to idolize and worship Elsa. Nevertheless they were open to the happenings in the village and are willing to follow these events as they unfold.

The society can resemble how people can be so deceivable when it comes to miracles and how capitalists take advantage of them. Even today, there are healing priests/ individuals that have a huge pool of followers donating huge sums of money for support, etc. And on the other related spectrum of the society, people of today are enjoying being deceived by corporate brands that overprice their products in replacement of these value propositions that they offer.

5. Ano ang papel ng midya sa kabuuang kuwento ng pelikula?

Media had a huge influence on the movie, if the miracles of Elsa was not nationalized or even globalized, the outcome would have been far from how it ended. The power of media changed the identity of Elsa, the whole city, and eventually brought her something that she could not take on. More importantly, it showed how powerful media can be. In the movie, it was beyond Elsas control on what kind of effect media can make to the city or to her.