A Fresh but Flawed Take on a Filipino Folk Hero
Jason Paul Laxamana’s Penduko reimagines the classic Liwayway character for a modern audience, blending folklore with a contemporary supernatural underworld. Released as part of the 2023 Metro Manila Film Festival, the film follows Pedro Penduko (Matteo Guidicelli), the son of a powerful faith healer, who rejects his heritage in pursuit of a more materialistic life. Drawn into an organisation called Hatinggabi, he uses his mystical gifts for profit but soon faces a deeper struggle—one that forces him to question his identity and destiny.One of the film’s biggest strengths lies in its adaptation of Filipino mystical traditions. The portrayal of albularyos, manggagaway, mananambal, and hukluban feels both authentic and visually compelling. The astral-plane battles, where healers combat hexes, offer a creative and culturally rich take on supernatural combat—refreshingly distinct from the usual Western fantasy influences. Additionally, the film avoids the tired “good vs. evil” trope, opting instead for a morally complex protagonist. Pedro isn’t a noble hero—he resents his father’s legacy and is even willing to resort to violence to achieve his goals. The film also resists turning his relationship with Liway (Kylie Verzosa) into an overplayed romantic subplot, which is a welcome departure from predictable storytelling.
However, the film struggles with thematic cohesion. Pedro is told he fails as a healer because his intent is to harm rather than to heal, yet there’s no clear moment of transformation. By the film’s end, he’s still resorting to brute force, making his supposed character growth feel unearned. The narrative builds toward an epiphany that never quite materialises, leaving the resolution feeling hollow. This may be setting up a sequel, but as a standalone story, it’s frustratingly incomplete.
Matteo Guidicelli brings physicality to the role, but his accent can be distracting, and the writing doesn’t help—Pedro’s character arc feels inconsistent, making it difficult to fully invest in his journey. Some dialogue is clunky, and a few performances border on cringeworthy, but the film still delivers enough charm to make it an entertaining watch. The villain is given a motive beyond sheer malice, which adds depth, but his "superpowers" could have been explored more effectively.
Visually, the film has its moments, but some CGI effects feel outdated, reminiscent of '90s fantasy films. That said, Penduko succeeds in world-building and injecting layers of social commentary, particularly on land grabbing and greed. Despite its flaws, it’s a step in the right direction for Filipino superhero films, and with some refinements, a sequel could truly elevate the franchise.
Would I watch a Penduko Part 2? Absolutely—but with the hope that it leans further into its strengths and tightens up its storytelling.
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