Ang Totoong Buhay ni Pacita M.

Ang Totoong Buhay ni Pacita M.
The Official Poster for 1991 Metro Manila Film Festival
Directed by	Elwood Perez
Produced by	George Jatico....associate producer Mely Nicandro....producer
Written by	Ricky Lee
Screenplay by	Ricky Lee
Starring	Nora Aunor Lotlot de Leon Armida Siguion-Reyna Juan Rodrigo
Music by	Danny Tan
Cinematography	Ricardo Jacinto
Edited by	George Jarlego
Release dates	25 December 1991
Country
Language	Filipino

Ang Totoong Buhay ni Pacita M. is a 1991 Metro Manila Film Festival entry that tells the story of a singer-entertainer Pacita M. ( Nora Aunor) in a seedy Quezon City nightclub. Pacita, has chosen the "unworthy" occupation of becoming a singer and standup comedian, and this is another source of conflict between her and the girl's proud, aristocratic grandmother. Pacita, in earlier scenes is shown as one lacking in manners, is being tried for killing her daughter, Grace (Lotlot de Leon). She has attempted to disconnect the respirator that sustains the life of her comatose daughter. This highly acclaimed movie directed by Elwood Perez bravely tackles the sensitive issue of euthanasia.^[1]

Synopsis

Pacita M (Nora Aunor) is an aging bar singer in a seedy Quezon City Night Club who reaches the lowest point in her life and realizes that she has accomplished nothing noteworthy. Her only source of joy and inspiration is her daughter Grace(Lotlot de Leon), she's the apple of her mother's protective eyes.

However, tragedy struck the family when Grace was accidentally shot in the head by a stray bullet just as she was about to go off to college.turning her into a human vegetable. Adding to the tragedy, Grace's leg has to be amputated due to gangrene. The situation forces Pacita to seek a reconciliation with her wealthy, status-conscious mother (Armida Sigioun-Reyna).^[2]

Although initially Pacita holds out for a miracle and hopes for the recovery of her daughter, she relents and seeks to allow Grace a dignified death by turning off her respirator. The emotional battle accompanying this decision becomes a personal epiphany for Pacita.

Cast

• Nora Aunor ... Pacita M.
• Lotlot de Leon ... Grace
• Armida Siguion-Reyna ... Mrs. Estrella
• Marissa Delgado ...
• Juan Rodrigo ...

Reviews

• Thus, Nora Aunor as the critical point of departure, is both significant and necessary as subsequent events prove that interest in the aforementioned films draws largely from her direct participation in projects that are deemed unpopular and uncommercial. The star-actress as “auteur” marks a development of great import necessitates continued inquiry given the current decline in serious film making. Pacita M. for one, like the previous films, characterizes a tendency on the part of its creators to deviate from the usual. Aunor, especially in Pacita M., displays flexibility in characterization, calling forth a performance of a certain intensity and grit: the rapid shift in emotional states, as in the breakdown scene with Marissa Delgado and in the last equence with the still living Lotlot de Leon, is almost flawless. - Mau Tumbocon, “Women on the Edge,” Daily Globe, 1991
• As the tacky former japayuki who strives to give only the best to her daughter, Aunor evinces an acting style that is sure, keen and affecting. - Patrick D. Flores and Nonoy L. Lauzon, 2nd Circle Citation, Young Critics Circle

Awards and recognition

Year	Group	Category	Nominee	Result
1991	Metro Manila Film Festival [3]	Best Picture		Won
		Best Actress	Nora Aunor	Won
		Best Director	Elwood Perez	Won
		Best Editing	George Jarlego	Won
		Best Story	Ricky Lee	Won
		Best Screenplay	Ricky Lee	Won
		Best Original Song	Lucio San Pedro	Won
		Best Music	Danny Tan	Won
1992	FAMAS Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences Awards	Best Picture		Won
		Best Actress	Nora Aunor	Won
		Best Director	Elwood Perez	Won
		Best Screenplay	Ricky Lee	Won
		Best Supporting Actress	Armida Siguion-Reyna	Nominated
	Gawad Urian Awards (Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino)	Best Actress	Nora Aunor	Nominated
		Best Supporting Actress	Armida Siguion-Reyna	Nominated
	Film Academy of the Philippines (Luna Awards)	Best Actress	Nora Aunor	Won
		Best Director	Elwood Perez	Won
		Best Screenplay	Ricky Lee	Won
	Star Awards for Movies (Philippine Movie Press Club)	Best Actress	Nora Aunor	Won
	Young Critics Circle	Best Performance by Male or Female, Adult or Child, Individual or Ensemble in Leading or Supporting Role	Nora Aunor	Won
		Best Picture		Nominated
		Best Screenplay	Ricky Lee	Nominated

List of Film Festival Competed or Exhibited

• 1992 - Honolulu Film Festival
• 1992 - Singapore Film Festival

References

1. "Nora Aunor Filmography". Retrieved 2013-01-25.
2. Holden, Stephen. "Ang Totoong Buhay ni Pacita M. (1993)". The New York Times. Retrieved 2013-01-25.
3. "Metro Manila Film Festival:1991". IMDB. Retrieved 2014-04-09.

External links

The Real Life of Pacita M. at the Internet Movie Database