Mga munting tinig (2002) Online

It's a surprisingly mature film that tells of a teacher's hand in changing lives and rising against adversity, even in the face of certain failure. As such and based on the basic plot of the film, it occasionally succumbs to the pitfalls of cinematic melodrama, sometimes deliberately prying tears from its audience (which worked -- dammit.), but it's a minor complaint in the face of the overall message that the movie delivers.

It relates the all-too-true tale of how many children in rural areas of the Philippines are kept from attending school due to poverty and their family's dependence on their being able to put food on the table. It's a slap in the face of many societies, including the more capable families in Metro Manila, who think that they have it bad, when in fact they're in a better position than most.

The movie manages to cover all the instances of the children's plight, and somehow it seems impossible that all this could happen to one class, in one school. But you know, somehow, that it happens nevertheless.

It's reality on film, albeit embellished, but completely true. Highly recommended.

Munting Tinig is one of the most inspiring movies i've ever seen... it depicts the reality of the Filipino society... no scene was wasted... every scene has a lesson to convey... In this movie i felt that i'm lucky because I'm educated but at the same time i felt pity because it is truly that filipinos are suffering from poverty... It inspired me be a true citizen of my country... to serve others without counting the cost... This movie is superb not because of its special effects but because it is a reality that the Filipino society if offering to many Filipinos... Munting Tinig (Small Voices) in not just small movie rather a simple but heartwarming one... I do not cry just watching a movie but when I have watched Munting Tinig it made me cry... Munting Tinig is one of the most beautiful masterpieces made by Filipinos. Because of this I'm very proud to tell to the whole world that I'M A FILIPINO not just by name but by heart...

SMALL VOICES is one of those simple gems that remains in your mind long after you see it and long after you are finished crying. Not that it is sad - it is just heartwarming. Hopefully audiences of all ethnicities will find the film moving and help jump start the Filipino INdie film movement. When we saw it in Toronto, we had to support it because it gave new hope to the Filipino film - finally a movie without so much over acting, melodrama and no gratuitous sex, violence or mayhem - but a sweet story told against a country that is rife with government relations and poverty.

Hopefully, the Filipino American audience will embrace this film in theaters and come out and not wait for video distribution.

We only get one chance and this is one to take.

peace,

David

SMALL VOICES is one of those simple gems that remains in your mind long after you see it and long after you are finished crying. Not that it is sad - it is just heartwarming. Hopefully audiences of all ethnicities will find the film moving and help jump start the Filipino INdie film movement. When we saw it in Toronto, we had to support it because it gave new hope to the Filipino film - finally a movie without so much over acting, melodrama and no gratuitous sex, violence or mayhem - but a sweet story told against a country that is rife with government relations and poverty.

Hopefully, the Filipino American audience will embrace this film in theaters and come out and not wait for video distribution.

We only get one chance and this is one to take.

peace,

David

"Munting Tinig" or Small Voices which stars Alessandra de Rossi was a film that depicts typical situation in barrios in the provinces. These places are engulfed with poverty and at times hopelessness on their live with the single mission which is to survive each day and eventually get out of their situation in life. A typical place where there is insurgency and the youth is face with a hard reality of either studying or helping their parents earn for a living. These scenario takes away the future literally of the youth. Their future which should be the primary concerns of their parents. Most of the parents think that going to school was just a burden and spending time and effort on school activities was a hindrance towards their survival.

This was the general situation faced by Melinda, an elementary teacher who was assigned to Malawig Elementary School. These challenges appear in many forms — an unscrupulous principal (Mrs. Pantalan) who sells ice candy to the students simply to stuff her own pockets, a motorcycle-riding "Bombay" (Indian merchant) who charges 10 percent for cash advances on delayed teacher's paychecks, and aggressively passive parents who believe that only the rich can afford to dream, insisting that their sons and daughters would do better to work the fields or provide domestic help rather than to secure an education. And then, of course, there is the monsoon season, bringing torrential rains that threaten to destroy the school's meager supply of schoolbooks, lesson plans, and other dwindling resources.

The political situation was also very volatile because there were constant fighting and the area and sons of people living there are recruited to join the New People's Army. Most of the time the children have no choice but to go with their parents living in the hinterlands and lose their life in the process like what happened to Popoy. The government sees the rebels as an enemy of the state alone and does not see the reason why these people go to the mountains and fight. Solving the situation easily and hastily is the common mistake that the government does but in the end this does not solve the root cause of the problem.

When Melinda sees an opportunity for her students to join a competition and eventually support them and the school in the process this was seen as a threat and added burden by the families of these children. The Filipino culture of obeying parents and making primal consideration to the family is seen in this situation where the parents insist that they know what is best for their children without even listening to what the teacher has to say.

The film has no religious linkages although we could say that religious values if properly practiced could have given positive development in the situation presented in the film. A religious value common in almost all religions is the value of helping those in need and we can see that these community is in dire need of support and help to improve their lives and situation.

Another culture relatively that of a Filipino which can be seen is exhibited by Melinda. Her strong determination, faith and the never say never attitude of a Filipino is well seen on how she despite all odds tries to convince the parents of her students to support their children in the upcoming competition. She despite Popoy's tragic and heartbreaking death had move on and continued with achieving the dream of the kids and dedicating their eventual triumph to Popoy and to the community.

If we are being asked how can things be different? It can be different. How? This can only be through a cultural revolution and reassessment on how we view ourselves, our children and our country. I remember that there was an essay which says that if there is something lacking in us Filipinos is the fact that only very few of us exhibit genuine love for our country and our people. We should exhibit characteristics like that of Melinda, a character of genuine and unsurpassed service to others, our country and our people. We should always consider others in each of the things that we do everyday and ask ourselves will this action do good to others as well? We may say that money is what is important nowadays, job security and work is of primal consideration. Yes these things are really very important and should be considered but let us face and accept that we are on this world to make a difference and no matter how famous, how rich and how secured ourselves and our family are we can never say that we truly live unless we make a difference… even a simple and small difference.

Finally a Filipino film that everyone can enjoy. In Tagalog with English Subtitles, this sweet film will tug at your heartstrings and make you glad you spent $9 at the box office for this 2 hour step away from your own problems.

I am going back and bringing my family and friends. Hopefully, it is still there.