Alyas Pusa: Ang Taong May 13 Buhay (lit. 'Alias Cat: The Person with 13 Lives') is a 1988 Filipino action film directed by Pablo Santiago and starring Ramon Revilla, Alona Alegre, Angela Perez, Paquito Diaz, and Fred Moro. It employs Revilla's usual formula of having his character own a protective amulet in battle. Produced by Urban Films, the film was released on April 13, 1988. Alyas Pusa was given a positive review by critic Lav Diaz, who praised its neutral depiction of ideological conflicts between communist rebels and anti-communist soldiers, though he doubted the believability of the film's premise.
| Alyas Pusa: Ang Taong May 13 Buhay | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Pablo Santiago |
| Written by | Tony Pascua |
| Starring | Ramon Revilla |
| Cinematography |
|
| Edited by | Ruben S. Natividad |
| Music by | Score |
Production company | Urban Films |
Release date | |
Running time | 95 minutes[3] |
| Country | Philippines |
| Language | Filipino |
Cast
edit- Ramon Revilla as Lieutenant Teofilo "Pilo"[4]
- Alona Alegre
- Angela Perez
- Paquito Diaz as Brando
- Fred Moro
- Jose Romulo
- Johnny Vicar
- Lucita Soriano
- Joseph de Cordova
- Vic Varrion
- Robert Miller
- Ernie David
- Eddie Samonte
- Bebeng Amora
- Marlon Borinaga
- Danny Terrante
- Jun Perez
Themes
editAlyas Pusa is a continuation of Ramon Revilla's formula of portraying notorious or real-life characters who protect themselves with amulets ("anting-anting") in battle, sustaining a traditional belief of native Filipinos which has endured to contemporary times.[5]
Critical response
editLav Diaz, writing for the Manila Standard, questioned the believability of the film's premise, as he doubted that a communist rebel from the New People's Army would hand over an amulet to Revilla's character.[5] Despite this, he praised the film's neutral and clear illustration of the conflicting ideologies between rebels and soldiers as reflected in reality, accidental or otherwise. He also commended the performances of Alona Alegre and Angela Perez.[5]
References
edit- ^ "Movie Guide". Manila Standard. Standard Publications Inc. April 13, 1988. p. 10. Retrieved June 27, 2020.
EASTERN.................Alyas "Pusa"
- ^ "Movie Guide". Manila Standard. Standard Publications Inc. April 12, 1988. p. 10. Retrieved June 27, 2020.
Eastern.............. Honor Betrayed
- ^ "Alyas Pusa". TFC. ABS-CBN Global. Retrieved June 28, 2020.
- ^ Tiongson, Nicanor G., ed. (2001). The Urian Anthology, 1980-1989: Film Essays and Reviews by the Manunuri Ng Pelikulang Pilipino with a Filmography of Philippine Movies, 1980-1989. A. P. Tuviera. p. 488. Retrieved June 28, 2020.
- ^ a b c Diaz, Lav (April 20, 1988). "Anting-anting". Manila Standard (in Filipino). Standard Publications, Inc. p. 10. Retrieved June 28, 2020.