BEKIKANG(2013) is NOT Ang Tatay Kong Nanay, but we ENJOYED watching it

'HATAK SA MASA.' Wenn Deramas (left) and Joey Paras. Photo from the Facebook of 'Bekikang'
Plot from Viva Films: Bekikang/Vittorio (Joey Paras) opens with his line of thoughts on where gay people come from. He highlights his comical points of view on his inquiry from the book of Genesis to Darwin’s theory of “Evolution.” Bekikang, who was born on a rainy night next to a rice paddy, is the son of Gorio and Maristela. Although being bullied outside their home, Bekikang grows up in a happy and supportive family. When Bekikang’s mother dies, his father takes on a new love in the house named Anacleta who becomes Bekikang’s cross to bear. As Bekikang grows, he never stops fighting the people who taunt him. One day, Bekikang meets another person subjected to bullying named Fortunato. It is love at first sight for Bekikang. Fortunato becomes the man who gives colour and meaning to Bekikang’s world. Bekikang and Fortunato become good friends. Bekikang’s colorful life turns black and white when Natalie meets Fortunato. Natalie who desires to work and live in Japan is a food assistant in a small canteen. Fortunato falls madly in love with Natalie and not long after, a love blossoms between the two. Natalie is already pregnant when Bekikang hears about the relationship between Natalie and Fortunato. Following the birth of the child they named Potpot, Natalie decides to fulfill her dreams of going to Japan. Natalie decides to leave Potpot to Fortunato who is also planning of going abroad. Fortunato then seeks the help of Bekikang and leaves Potpot to him with the promise of a monthly support. The promises eventually get broken, but Bekikang continues to nurture the love for Potpot. Withstanding the hardships of a single parent, Bekikang makes Potpot the center of his world. Trying to give the child the most of what he can, Bekikang works hard to give a happy home to Potpot. Few days following Potpot’s seventh birthday, Bekikang sees Fortunato. Bekikang finds out that Fortunato and Natalie are together again living in luxury and this time, demanding for Potpot’s custody. With no legal power, Bekikang has to give up Potpot. Potpot becomes depressed and decides to run away and look for Bekikang. Will Natalie and Fortunato give up their child once they realize that Bekikang has been an ideal parent for Potpot?
We watched BEKIKANG not knowing if we would love it or not simply because we wanted to support Joey Paras.  Is he our friend? Not at all.  We don't even know each other, but we like him.  He talks sense, sings(Broadway songs, pop songs, etc.) very well and is a natural.  

*****

People have been comparing BEKIKANG to Lino Brocka's masterpiece starring the great Dolphy and the then cute boy wonder, but now a highly successful business man, Niño Muhlach called ANG TATAY KONG NANAY  One critic even called BEKIKANG cartoonish and just gave it a 2 star rating because it cannot be compared to THE masterpiece.




You know what, I agree.  We must not compare it with ANG TATAY KONG NANAY because the only that is the same is the situation.  A homosexual rears a young boy as his own.  Maybe there are a few more similarities, but that's that. They are only similarities.

Each one of us, one way or another, experience whatever kind of pain another has experienced.  That's the very reason most of us can relate to certain movies and why producers or directors have to say:


"All characters appearing in this work are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental. The wording of this disclaimer differs from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, and from country to country, as does its legal effectiveness" 



Bekikang, based on Direk Wenn's life story! [EXCLUSIVE!] 
From Viva Entertainment's Youtube Channel
 Another reason we watched this movie is because we heard that it is loosely based on the life of its director, Wenn V. Deramas.  Because of this for about minute, when his wicked stepsister married a Dado Lumibao, I surmised that in the future this character would be his friend and would become a writer/director one day.  I was wrong.  The character was just named after him. 

The movie is very endearing in many ways.  Beki is very prayerful, caring, loving and responsible.  He is also very hardworking and wise, maybe except for the fact, like anyone else, he is stupid in love.

He fell in love with a nice, but very naive handsome fellow, who treated him like a best friend, but unwittingly(or wittingly) used and abused his kindness.


  • I love Beki's three friends played by Nikki Valdez, Lassie Marquez  and Atak.  They are all naturals.  I've seen Lassie and Atak in action at Punch Line.  I don't like the jokes at Punch Line, but nonetheless, they deliver their lines well and they make people laugh.  Here, there comedy is more wholesome and even better.
  • Tom Rodriguez's eyes are really tantalizing. 
  • Carla Humphries played her role well.
  • JM Ibañez is really a very talented kid.  I still couldn't imagine him as the biological son of Fortune and Natalie (Tom and Carla) before watching this, but since he is so good at his role, yes, I am convinced, he is indeed their son.
  • Tirso Cruz III, Janice de Belen, Maricar de Mesa, Malou de Guzman,  Deydey Amansec et al make a great supporting cast
  • I noticed EVERYone, but I can't name you all. Kudos!
  • My favorite parts: 1) When his dad told him that he knew he was gay and he just wanted Beki to know how to fend for himself; 2)When Beki slapped Natalie in the hospital; 3)When Beki was praying inside the chapel; 4)Natalie and Fortune talking at the stairway of the hospital
  • This movie is about true love and family.  People can be a true family that loves one another even if they are not related by blood. 
No matter what those critics say, I love Bekikang.  It is a comedy and if you think it is cartoonish, I respect that, because it's your opinion.  Anyways, here's what I think. Even if this story is about a homosexual, some conservatives would like this too, but then again, it is only my opinion.  Beki has a strong faith in God and even if he is gay(I don't know about the sequel, if any), he is celibate in this film. He loves his son, his friends and his family with his whole heart.  

I hope this movie would rake in profits so that there could be a sequel. Wink, wink. ;-)

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