THE EIGHTIES # 1088: JACKLYN JOSE, DANIEL FERNANDO, PRINCESS PUNZALAN AND INTRODUCING ALAN PAULE (IN THE TITLE ROLE) IN LINO BROCKA'S "MACHO DANCER" (1988)

"Macho Dancer" (1989)

Viva Films

A Special People Productions

Release Date January 18, 1989

Story and Screenplay Ricardo Lee and Amado Lacuesta

Cinematography Joe Tutanes

Film Editor Ruben Natividad

Sound Supervisor Danny Sanchez

Production Design Benjie de Guzman

Music Mon del Rosario

Executive Producer Boy C. de Guia

Direction Lino Brocka

Cast Jacklyn Jose, Daniel Fernando, Princess Punzalan/ Introducing Alan Paule/ Featuring Timothy Diwa, Angelo Miguel and William Lorenzo

Trailer

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Synopsis: Pol’s (Allan Paule) boyfriend, Larry, is a U.S. serviceman who is ending his tour of duty. He has been giving ample amounts to Pol which is used to augment the family’s meager income. Now the two are separating and Pol has to find a job. Pol’s friend, Greg, tells him to go to Manila where he could make a living as a macho dancer. Although his parents think he is working as a waiter, Greg is actually a successful hustler. He is now going to Japan to join his Japanese boyfriend.

In Manila, Pol is brought to see the mama-san of D’Pogi Niteclub. His crotch is felt approvingly and he is allowed to work. He is surprised to see the brazenness of the front act --- young boys like him masturbating in front of a largely foreign crowd. In the comfort room, he witnesses two male prostitutes thrashing a confrere. The fight is stopped by a short tomboy bouncer. The bruised one’s name is Noel (Daniel Fernando), who advises him to leave the club and instead work in a decent one ---Mama

Charlie’s. He invites him to live in his one-room apartment in Quiapo.

Pol is accepted by Mama Charlie and is introduced to the other guys. He is warned about Dennis (William Lorenzo) who is a dope pusher and an agent of Kid (Johnny Vicar), a crooked cop.

Dennis and Noel are partners in an act that calls for them to shower and make love together. Pol is taught the movements of macho dancing. He is a fast learner and is soon allowed to join the pros on stage.

On a free night, Noel introduces Pol to his female friends: Bambi (Jacklyn Jose) and her gang. They are prostitutes plying the Ermita trade and are often high on drugs. Bambi is attracted to Pol. But there is something on Noel’s mind that night. He is thinking of his sister, Pining (Princess Punzalan), whom he left in the province. He has been informed that she suddenly disappeared and that she could be the captive of white slavery gangs preying in remote areas. According to his information, she could be in one of the heavily guarded red houses in Manila.

With the help of Pol, he combs the prostitution dens of the city. They finally find her in one of the Chinatown brothels protected by Kid. They plot her escape but Noel is caught and shot by Kid. Pining is given Noel’s savings passbook and goes back to the province. Pol lies in wait for Kid and, seizing an opportunity, shoots him.

Pol now tries to convince Bambi to give up streetwalking and join him in the province. But she is practical and knows that he cannot afford her lifestyle. They break up as friends.

It is again a gay night at Mama Charlie’s. Pol dances for the last time on stage.

(Source: Lino Brocka: The Artist and His Times)