"Ama...Bakit Mo Ako Pinabayaan?" (1990)
Seiko Films
Release Date December 25, 1990
A 1990 Metro Manila Film Festival Entry
Serialized in Extra Special Komiks
Story and Screenplay Pablo Baltazar
Film Editor Efren Jarlego
Director of Photography Isidro Manding
Production Designer Benjie de Guzman
Musical Director Rey Magtoto
Executive Producer Robbie Tan
Direction Lino Brocka
Cast Jestoni Alarcon, Gretchen Barretto, Sheryl Cruz, together with Ricky Belmonte, Robert Arevalo, Marita Zobel, Suzanne Gonzales, Jovit Moya/ Also Starring Romeo Rivera, Anita Linda, Estrella Kuenzler, Dante Castro, Tony Gonzalvez, Elaine Aleazar, Guila Alvarez, Ivy Isidro, Vince Lachenal
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Synopsis: After giving birth to a blind girl, Cristy Paredes expires. Her husband, Arnaldo (Ricky Belmonte), accuses the child, christened Julie (Sheryl Cruz), of her death and thus neglects her. Some years later, he marries Stella (Suzanne Gonzales), a widow with two children, Jona (Gretchen Barretto) and William (Jovit Moya), who continually bully Julie. Julie only has her nurse-maid, Nana Maria (Estrella Kuenzler), to look after her.
With her eyes on her husband’s fortune, Stella fires Nana Maria and schemes to dispose of Julie, the rightful heiress. One day, she brings her to church and conveniently loses her in the crowd.
At the same time, a bag snatcher is being chased by the police and snatches Julie as his hostage.The bag snatcher brings her to the countryside. Just as he is about to release her, she begs him to take her with him as she is unhappy in her house. She is brought to the Bataan seaside where he resides. His name is Mang Daniel (Robert Arevalo) and he lives with his mother, Nanay Gila (Anita Linda). He gives up his criminal activities and concentrates on fishing. He considers Julie as his lucky charm as he often hauls in a big catch.
Years later, the children are grown up. Jona’s boyfriend is Rolando (Jestoni Alarcon), whose parents recently bought a Bataan beach house. Jona is invited to spend time in the beach house but she turns it down as she is studying for her medical exam.
Rolando motors to Bataan where he spots Julie selling fish. He becomes enamoured with her and visits her regularly. Jona becomes suspicious of his divided attention and follows him to Bataan. Jona discovers his new love object and pulls a tantrum. In order to repossess him, she makes love to him.
Jona becomes pregnant and demands that Rolando marry her. His parents are pressured to convince him as they owe a lot of money to the Paredeses. But he has made up his mind. He has chosen Julie. Jona takes poison and is brought in time to the hospital. She has a miscarriage.
William decides to take action and burns down Julie’s hut. He waits for Rolando at the beach house. He and his gang beat him up. Mang Daniel comes to his rescue and, in the ensuing melee, accidentally shoots William.
William dies and Mang Daniel is put in jail. Julie begs her real father not to continue with the court case. Arnaldo will withdraw the suit on one condition: that she stop seeing Rolando.
One night, Mang Daniel attempts to escape from prison. He is shot and dies. His eyes are given to Julie who has an operation. Julie can now see. Arnaldo has a change of heart and apologizes to her daughter. Stella follows him to Julie’s house and cocks her gun. However, Arnaldo runs to protect Julie and is shot instead. He is rushed to the hospital which does not have stock of his blood type. Julie dutifully offers her blood for the transfusion.
Peace now reigns in the Paredes household. Even Stella has reconciled with Julie. In Bataan, Jona goes over to Rolando and Julie and asks to be forgiven.
(Source: Lino Brocka: The Artist and His Times)
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