Blog 005 *Minsan lang sila Bata

Minsan lang sila Bata: A Documentary

            In our film criticism class, we discussed many topics about film and one of that discussion was all about the representation. Representation is a reflection of what had happened to the video or in the movie and the film makers. It is also the central to the understanding of how media tests are constructed by film makers and how they are received by a range of different audiences. In relation to the documentary “Minsan lang sila bata”, representation will be the one of the aspects in our discussion which I can write my thoughts about the documentary.

            Minsan lang sila Bata was one of the Philippine documentary which I like very much; the way it was presented and the story in the first place was very interesting that I’d pay attention when it was presented. The kids in the video literally surprised me. I was shocked how the kids made their living during hours of the night just for a strip carrying not less than 250 sacks of cement per day for 10 pesos or strip wild grass under scorching heat of the sun for the whole day for 26 pesos. It makes me wonder how they embraced their budget for the whole family as all of them said that they are working for the food of their family.

                In the situation mentioned above I think the kids in the documentary was a sign and represented poverty. Due to the poverty we had in the country, the kids had their own will to find a job that can support and made them to survive every day. Having a job like in the documentary that violated the law of the child labor. At the very young age the kids are able to do what adults are supposed to do. The kids are more mature enough to plan things in a very ideal way because of their experiences. There is no other issue discussed but the difficulties of the kids and also to the rest of the country that until now remains a big problem, the poverty. The nature of the kids who were at that age were simply playing the whole day as what kids does normally we have seen in the streets and even in the house. But in the documentary it was a big revelation that kids are working very hard in order to support their family and themselves as well. The kids in the documentary were very different to the normal kids we have seen. In the documentary they worked hard in the middle of the night more than other adults working for.

            I was also amazed for their love for education. They really wanted to go back to school. I bet that I can hardly found this kind of kids in urban places. If given a chance, they would rather go to school than work but unfortunately, they should work than play.

Lastly, I am encouraged by the motivation of these kids – family. I am touched by their selflessness. At young age, they show great love for their family. They are not bitter for their fate. They work for their family and tried to understand their situation.