Pisay

Pisay is an independent film by Auraeus Solito. Pisay- a colloquial term for the Philippine Science High School, is a special school for a chosen few who are groomed to excel in the fields of Science and Engineering. The take exaggeratedly advance classes in Physics, Mathematics, Biology and Chemistry. What we normally learn in our Junior and Senior years in high school, they learn in their freshmen and sophomore years.

I was very eager to watch it because my two brothers- Jom and Joop are both Pisaynons. (That's a Pisay student in Ilonggo). My kuya, Jom, graduated from Pisay in 2004 and my younger brother Joop is currently in his freshman year in Pisay's Western Visayas Campus in Iloilo City. That explains my natural attachment to the Pisay world. haha

I like the movie. They have this certain togetherness that only they can understand. I can't blame them. We are like that in BA, aren't we? When we leave the premises of the college, our choice of words, manner of speaking and geeky jokes define what we've shared in our years together. When they have a friend who's struggling in class, they'll cheer him up and help him understand the lessons. That reminds me of our Pineda days.

I particularly love the character of Minggoy, their official class shutterbug! In fairness, wala pang digicam nun ha! Film pa yun, magastos! hahaha

Eugene Domingo also did a great job as their Physics professor Miss Casas. She has this accent that we can connect to Ma'am Valmoria, only better.

"Hypowtesis"

Parang she's Bisaya who speaks good English. Yes, the grammar is correct. Just the accent.

The blue lab gown is one of their trademarks. I remember when Jom was required to bring a blue lab gown to school, my mom couldn't find one! Everything in the medical stores were in white so she had to patahi Jom's lab gown.

They also used the Dagitlab language- the reverse of Baligtad. Most notable line was "Egis, p're!" or "Sige, pare" in our normal Filipino.

I got teary in many parts of the movie for many reasons. Their friendship is amazing, their struggle in their classes is familiar, and their togetherness until graduation is just super touching. It was pure nostalgia while watching the graduation scene. I felt tears, just like the time I witnessed Jom graduate. I was standing quite far from the stage, looking at him in a crowd of blue togas, holding his diploma and beaming like a kid. I cried. My mom did, too. haha

Pisay is fun to watch. Even if you're not an alumnus of the school, the message is universal. it's friendship strengthened by memories and tested by time. it's fighting for your dream. it's following your heart.

♥

Quod Erat Demonstrandum. Proving what you say with action.