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LIWAY
LIWAY
The story was narrated from the point of view of Dakip, a boy of tender age, about the
dreadful experience that their family has experienced during the waning years under Martial
Law regime. Dakip grew up in prison where their whole family, one of the political prisoners at
that time, was detained. Prison is never an ideal place to grow up in, but his mother, Day, tried
her best to protect him and maintain a home despite the living hell that they were in. This
shows the protective and motherly side of Day, different from the rebel Commander Liway that
was captured during the encounter.
Day’s husband, the father of Dakip, had a different approach on how to protect his child.
He wants his son to face the reality instead of the fantasies that Day tries to give his son so he
could have something to hold on to. One of which is the story of Liway, an enchantress of Mt.
Kanlaon, which turned out to be her life’s story. We see the different and sometimes conflicting
views of parents on how to protect their child. For at the end of the day, it is always the child’s
best interest that is vital in the hearts of their parents
The movie has touched the viewers’ hearts upon the realization that Dakip, the child
who grew up in prison, grew up to be a successful and genuine person. The sincerity of the
director can be felt throughout the movie since the film is a project that is so close to the
director’s hearts. The audience somehow felt a piece of justice when a statement that says “a
portion of the Marcos ill-gotten wealth was used to make this film’ a reality.
The movie has its viewers, once again, a peak into what life was like during those dark
days, but now, through the eyes of a young boy, whose future seems so bleak. We are also
reminded that life is what we make out of it, that we can be the victors in our own right and
respect.