IN THEIR RENDITION of the hit Original Pilipino Music (OPM) song entitled Tingin by Cup of Joe and Janine Teñoso, Kulturang Laya Bedista (KLB) released two special Valentine’s Day music videos in their official Facebook page last Feburary 15 and 17.
In lieu of posting the two music videos at the same time, Reychel Panganiban, KLB president and the story writer of the featured videos, stated how the organization intentionally planned for the first music video, featuring Enzo Ochoa, to be publicized first in order the audience to “understand his feelings.” Following this, the strategy of posting the second video later would help viewers get the full picture.
Underscoring such a method, Panganiban stated that “’wag lang natin titignan sa iisang perspective but try natin na alamin din natin ‘yung bigger picture.”
The first music video, released on February 15, showcased Ochoa’s perspective and the events unfolding primarily through his eyes. It commenced with Ochoa’s intrigue upon encountering Stacey Angelie Co. The narrative progressed to depict Ochoa’s growing admiration for Co, culminating in his decision to make a bold gesture by assisting her with her belongings. The pivotal moment arrived when Ochoa anonymously sent Co a note through his friend. However, the storyline took an unexpected turn when Ochoa’s friend approached Co directly, offering her flowers, while Ochoa looked on from a distance, signifying the conclusion of the first music video.
In line with this, Panganiban urged the audience to be upfront and finally profess their feelings to someone they have taken an interest in. “Take initiative and baka ito na ‘yung hinihintay niyong sign or courage na sabihin niyo kung ano ‘yung nararamdaman niyo sa mga taong gusto ninyo o kaya naman ay may interest ka.”
Moreover, even though Valentine’s Day itself has already passed, Panganiban asserted how there’s still time to be honest with our feelings. “Mas gusto pa rin namin na magbigay ng signs ‘yung mga estudyante o kaya sa mga tao in general na kahit tapos na ang Valentines Day, meron pang oras para umamin ka, sabihin mo ‘yung nararamdaman mo sa ibang tao,” she added.
The second music video, posted last February 17, was viewed from the perspective of Co. At the outset, the video already established that there came about a mutual interest between the two, as Co had set up to meet Ochoa at the Sabater Garden.
Jewel Elefane, the video editor of the music video series, noted the importance of the locations as they are places that Bedans are familiar with. “Sabater’s [Garden] is a place for Bedans to hang out and spend time with their friends, and that’s where we usually go to meet someone because it’s centrally located. The same goes for the fountain. I was once a freshman who got lost trying to find the best hangout spots in [San] Beda, but when my friends said, ‘we’re at the fountain,’ I knew it was next to the Abbey Church,” she reminisced.
All the scenes in the music video were shot within the San Beda University (SBU) campus, such as the respective friend groups of Ochoa and Co meeting at the Sabater Garden, along with and scenes being done in the classrooms. “Gusto rin natin ipakita kung ano ‘yung ganda ng buhay Bedista, kaya ‘yun rin ‘yung mga nakita natin at ginamit namin na locations, ‘yung mas lalong makaka relate ‘yung mga ating kapwa Bedista,” said Panganiban.
The second video then reached the point where Co read the note that Ochoa sent her. However, when she was about to approach him, she hesitated when she saw Ochoa chatting with someone else.
Elefane noted the character of Mikaela Quicho, stating how she was merely a supportive friend rather than a romantic rival to Co. This culminated in Co finally accepting the flowers given by Enzo’s friend, who had already previously taken his own initiative towards her. “This scene in the video highlights the complexity that arises when there is a lack of clear communication between individuals in a romantic context” said Elefane. The final scene of the series depicts Co taking a final glance at Ochoa as both walk away.
“Hindi sa lahat ng bagay magwowork out ang lahat, and hanggat’t hindi ka nagttake courage na directly na sabihin sa mismong tao na ‘yun na kung ano ang nararamdaman mo mas lalo pang hahaba ‘yung problema o kaya naman ay pagkukubli na tinatago,” said Panganiban, highlighting the importance of taking courage in the pursuit of love and the reality that it won’t always work out.
(with Paolo Vital)