The Importance of Asuang as a Meta-Mockumentary and a Gateway to the Bicolano Mythological Cannon PART 1

Introduction

Frankly, Asuang was just a so-so entry for me during the launch of the Cinema One Originals 2018 because prior to that event, the well-promoted entries happened to be those who branded themselves as the "laugh out loud" comedies. Looking at the production photos available in the press kit, I thought at first that this was also in the horror genre like Hospicio. I mean, just look at those contact lenses Alwyn Uytingco, the dude who plays the titular character, is wearing!

It was Bernard Santos who actually came up with the idea of interviewing the film's director, Rayn Brizuela during the launch. Of course, asked why. Bernard wasn't able to remember the title properly but when he talked about Rayn's feature film debut describing the scenes, it suddenly dawned on me. "Aha! This is the dude who directed Gerald Santos in his first lead role," I thought to myself. Since for me Memory Channel was a curious piece of work which had potential as something in the genre of mindfuck...erm...sci-fi and thriller, I concurred that we must indeed interview Rayn. However, by the time we're done interviewing actor Edgar Allan Guzman for Bagyong Bheverlynn and director Rod Singh for Mamu; and a Mother, Too, we couldn't find Rayn anymore.

Fast forward to a day before the festival officially opened, I viewed the trailers one-by-one and Asuang's piqued my interest because it gave the What We Do in the Shadows? vibe. The aforementioned film by the way is a mockumentary about vampires. Aside from Asuang being the comeback of Alwyn Uytingco after having lied low in showbiz after his marriage to Jennica Garcia, the trailer shows Alwyn flipping raw chicken and wearing  furry outfit, the type that would make PETA (People for Ethical Treatment of Animals) tear out their hair in indignation.

Who is Asuang?

The Bicolano epic Ibalong which have two prominent characters, Handyong (protagonist) and Oryol (antagonist), was made into a musical 5 years ago by the professional theater company Tanghalang Pilipino. It also gave us a glimpse into the world of Bicolano gods led by the god who controls fire, Gugurang and his brother, Asuang, the father of Oryol.

There are many versions surrounding how Asuang tried to wrest power from his brother and how it led to him being hated by humanity. The most prominent one goes like this: Asuang, who wanted to win the adulation of people, which Gugurang currently enjoys, comes up with the idea of stealing his brother's fire, the fire which brings light and warmth to the whole of humanity, and present it to the humans so they will be able to gain its power. After all, Gugurang's mood subjects people to the explosion of Mount Mayon, his place of residence, every now and then.

First, Asuang asks and eventually begs his brother for the fire. As expected, his brother does not relent so he eventually steals it. Since he is weaker, he is unable to control its power and scorches a huge portion of the earth instead. Gugurang eventually catches up to him and takes the fire back, punishing him by hurling a thunderbolt (yes, he can control that, too) at his residence which is Mount Malinao. Aside from having been labeled as the evil God who causes people to commit sins by deceiving them, it is said that humanity hated Asuang and never forgave him for this selfish act which eventually led to destruction.

In the film, there was no mention of Oryol but the lesser Gods loyal to Gugurang like Onos and Okot appear in the third act as hindrances to what Asuang and his team wants to achieve.