A Portrait of the Artist as Filipino

Based on the celebrated play by Nick Joaquin, Lamberto Avellana's absorbing drama is a commentary on the degeneration of Manila's former arts district, reflecting the struggle between the old Filipino identity and the onslaught of western influence. Sisters Candida and Paula have taken it upon themselves to care for their father Don, a renowned painter. Dependent on financial support from their brother and sister, Candida and Paula are steadfast in their ways, refusing to sell and leave their family home amidst the decline of their surroundings. To make ends meet, they rent a room to the modern, westernized Tony Javier. When Paula elopes with Tony, it sets off a series of events, resulting in the emancipation of not just the sisters, but the entire family.