This is the magic of the film "Boses."
Directed by Ellen Ongkeko-Marfil and written by Froilan Media and Rody Vera, Boses starts as a story of abuse and ends as a story of hope. Left by his wife, a father (Ricky Davao) manhandles his son, Onyok, (newcomer Julian Duque) when he gets inebriated. Onyok is rescued by social workers and taken to a center for neglected and abused children. Traumatized, Onyok has not spoken any word since the abuse started. A chance meeting at the center brings Onyok and a violinist (Coke Bolipata) together.
Onyok turns out to be a music prodigy, learning to play classical pieces under Coke's care. The film begins to make a statement about the power of music to mend hearts and heal broken souls. In the end, the father tries to redeem himself but the film leaves it to the audience to hope that this man can change for his son.
"Boses" finally gets a chance to be seen in commercial cinemas. Filmed in 2008, "Boses" has gone to countless screenings in schools, churches, auditoriums and even outdoor plazas here and abroad.
UNICEF supported the film with a production grant. As UNICEF communication officer, I had the great privilege to introduce the film at its premiere one rainy night in July 2008 at the Cinemalaya Fest held in the Cultural Center of the Philippines. I remember Direk Ellen coaching me to thank the audience for coming to see the film despite the heavy rains.
I have seen many times how "Boses" has touched the hearts of children and adults alike. The film opens from the child's perspective, from inside a closet, hiding from his abusive father. This is what the film asks its audience to do. See and hear an unkind world from the eyes and ears of a child who cannot speak and is now trying to find his voice.
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