Tubog sa Ginto (English: Dipped in Gold) is a 1971 Filipino drama film directed by Lino Brocka, based on the comic serials created by Mars Ravelo for Tagalog Klasiks. This is the first film to tackle the then-controversial theme of homosexuality at that time when it was still a very sensitive issue.[1]

Tubog sa Ginto
Directed byLino Brocka
Written byLino Brocka
Based onTubog sa Ginto
by Mars Ravelo
Starring
CinematographySteve Perez
Edited byFelizardo Santos
Music byDoming Valdez
Production
company
Lea Productions
Release date
  • January 20, 1971 (1971-01-20)
CountryPhilippines
LanguageFilipino

Plot

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Don Benito (Eddie Garcia) is a successful entrepreneur married to Doña Emma (Lolita Rodriguez) and father to Santi (Jay Ilagan). Don Benito starts a love affair with the family driver Diego (Mario O'Hara). As the affair between Don Benito and Diego continues, Doña Emma grows dissatisfied with the marriage and starts a series of affairs with other men.

Teenage lovers Santi and Joni (Hilda Koronel) accidentally discover Doña Emma's and Don Benito's respective love affairs.

Diego tries to blackmail Don Benito by hiring a photographer to record their trysts. Instead of paying off Diego, Don Benito loses his money by gambling. Failing to get money from Don Benito, Diego seduces Doña Emma.[2]

Cast

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Production

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The film was based on a comics serial created and written by Mars Ravelo and illustrated by Elpidio Torres, published in Tagalog Klasiks.[2]

According to film critic Hammy Sotto, Tubog sa Ginto received an invitation to participate in the 1972 Venice Film Festival, but Lea Productions refused the invitation.[2]

Release

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Reception

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Box office

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Critical reception

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Awards and recognition

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In the 1971 Famas Awards, Lino Brocka won as best director and Eddie Garcia won as best actor.[2]

Controversies

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Despite the myriad of research and explanation regarding the "third sex", society still failed to fully understand the trials and tribulations of a homosexual. The people believed such indistinguishable gender to be a disease in their society, to the point that they label homosexuals as criminals.

The story, written around 1969 to 1970, tackled the issue of "the third sex" which was still a taboo subject matter during the day. Ravelo was quite critical of that notion that being effeminate as belief was a big disadvantage and scandal causing great embarrassment to the person's family or the entire race.

References

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  1. ^ Tariman, Pablo A. (July 24, 2013). "Revisiting Brocka's 1971 gay classic". Rappler. Retrieved February 26, 2020.
  2. ^ a b c d Tariman, Pablo A. "Lino Brocka's Tubog sa Ginto MHL circa 1971". Philippine Star. Retrieved 2024-06-01.
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