Bwakaw Movie Starring Eddie Garcia in the Lead Role
Will Bwakaw be the first Philippine Entry which will SUCCESSFULLY make it as a nominee to the Best Foreign Language Film of the 85th Academy Awards on February 24, 2013 in Kodak Theater, Los Angeles, California and if ever win the coveted golden statuette, Oscars. It is now competing among other international submissions from 71 countries to be shortlisted to nine (9) and finally only 5 will be the official nominees for the Academy Awards in the Best Foreign Language Film category. The Philippines has never been an awarded nor a nominee in the Academy Awards for Foreign Language Film but in Asia, Japan, China, Chinese Taipei (Taiwan) and Israel has so far only won for Asia. Usually, the awards show happens last week of March in the 1990s and early 2000s but lately it is moved early in February for unknown reason (much better if its in late March) and people in the Philippines slowly losing interest in the Academy Awards because no Philippine entry has made it or even won the award and maybe considering boycotting or will not send an entry for some years and some other countries are also losing interest in the event.
Bwakaw is a drama-comedy about growing old, and everyone's fear of growing old alone. Rene is a gay man who came out of the closet at age 70. Ailing in his twilight years, he thinks it is now too late for love, even companionship, and that all there is to look forward to is Death. He has made a will, bequeathing his few possessions to his even fewer friends. Everything is packed and labeled, ready for distribution. He has even paid for a coffin, taking advantage of a funeral home's Summer Sale. Nowadays the only companion Rene has is Bwakaw, a stray dog that hangs around his house and follows him wherever he goes. As Rene waits for the day of his death, he gets the surprise of his life when it is Bwakaw who suddenly falls ill and is diagnosed with cancer. Rene is surprisingly affected, and he realizes that he values Bwakaw more than he thinks. In his struggle to get Bwakaw cured, Rene finds comfort in the most unlikely person: Sol, a tricycle driver who helps him bring Bwakaw to the vet and befriends him. Buoyed by Sol's friendship, Rene starts living. Little by little he discovers simple joys. To the surprise of his friends, he even has his hair dyed to look younger. One day, he finally decides to make a move on Sol. The revelation that Rene is gay and has feelings for him surprises and disgusts Sol. He rejects Rene and leaves in anger. In the meantime, Bwakaw's condition gets worse. Not even Rene's ancient Santo Entierro (a supposedly miraculous statue of Jesus Christ) can save Bwakaw. Bwakaw dies, and Rene's neighbors help him bury the faithful dog. But Bwakaw's death, even while it was still only imminent, has made a difference. Rene has found a new appreciation for life and what is most important. He decides to unpack the things that he has already willed to other people and make his house more inhabitable. He is, after all, still alive.
Bwakaw has received rave reviews and positive responses from critics around the world and many insiders says that this one to watch out for movie has a high chance of making it at least as one of the five official nominees for the 85th Academy Awards for Best Foreign Language Film and hopefully it will and the outcome will determine if we still have to submit entries to the Academy Awards or not. By the way, Philippines will never make it to the Academy Awards because most members of the academy are British who hates the Philippines so much. I don't know why British make it as members of the Academy since it is America and not British. Does that mean British are so insecure with America that they interfere and participate in America's affairs and events?