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The Department of Education hails the film 'Boses' for being a powerful tool for the promotion of child rights 

Boses: THE VOCE OF THE YOUTH

Manila Bulletin ....Published: April 8, 2013

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 Independent films, more often than not, tackle sensitive and difficult issues that mainstream cinema can’t. With subjects from underground corruption to child prostitution, these films are not afraid to imitate reality – life itself. They have become somewhat the unofficial “voices” of different sectors of society.

 

The award-winning independent film “Boses,” released in 2008, is one such film. It tackles child protection, a topic that has gained much attention today but still has a longway go in raising awareness among citizens.

 

The film, a collaborative work between director-producer Ellen Ongkeko-Marfil and writers Froilan Medina and Rody Vera, tells a poignant story of hope and inspiration revolving around Onyok, a mute boy and his emotionally damaged mentor Ariel. Both find their voice through the redemptive and healing powers of music. The boy’s introduction to the violin transforms his life, as well as his mentor who is played by the country’s premier violinist and artist Alfonso “Coke” Bolipata. “Boses” was recently identified by the Department of Education (DepEd) as a “powerful advocacy tool” for the promotion of child rights. In fact, DepEd Secretary Armin Luistro even issued an advisory on the film last March 4, informing all DepEd officials and personnel nationwide on the film’s usefulness to educate the youth on the campaign. It was issued in connection with the department’s child protection policy.

 

SPREADING AWARENESS

 

The team admits to being amazed that the film is “still alive.” Marfil recounted that the film was screened last September before high school students of an all-boys school in Quezon City and gained positive response from the students. This prompted her to finally show the film in mainstream cinema. A program of SM Cinema enables indie films to gain a wider viewership. Select SM cinemas nationwide will hold public screenings starting July 31.

 

The young lead character, Onyok, who is now in his teens, is played by prodigy Julian Duque, one of Bolipata’s violin scholars in Casa San Miguel, Zambales. Both Duque and Bolipata providedsoulfulness to the characters, reaping rave reviews, nominations, and awards. Both were able to match the standard set by a distinguished cast including actors Ricky Davao, Cherry Pie Picache, and Meryll Soriano.

 

“We truly appreciate DepEd’s recognition of the value of ‘Boses’ for the advocacy on child protection at this timely period when bullying is rampant, when the election campaign season is beginning to heat up, and children might be forgotten in the agenda,” Marfil said.