BSM – 1A (CS)
Reaction Paper # 1
HIV (Si Heidi, Si Ivy at Si V)
Documentary film maker Gil Bustamante (Jake Cuenca) is commissioned by the Department of Health to create a documentary for their HIV / AIDS awareness program. By means of the San Lazaro Hospital as a backdrop, he weaves a story that combines the numerous stories of people who are infected with the virus. Among those having their story told are heterosexuals, homosexuals, prostitutes, and intravenous users of drugs.
His documentary focuses on three major characters:
Heidi (Ma. Isabel Lopez), an ordinary housewife who contracted the virus from her philandering former husband, an overseas contract worker who died in Saudi Arabia eventually three years ago. Leaving her alone to care for their 9 year old son, Victor (JP Mesde) is also a patient of HIV.
Ivy (Iza Calzado), a young call center agent who discovers she is HIV positive when she tries to make a claim for work abroad. She's discombobulated how she contracted the virus. Though she has X feckless and relaxed boyfriend (Will Devaughn), Ivy is far from being reckless and promiscuous. Her plans for a new life in another country shattered, she must now play against the world, her work, family, and friends - a misstep from her past.
Vanessa (IC Mendoza), a merry young gay and stand-up comedian who engages in a variety of sexual pleasures with manifold partners. He, with his very supportive parents, is geared up and raring to go to shares her story. Merrily though keen for the exposure, Vanessa is careless and still sleeps around with anonymous strangers. One day, he gets beaten by a band of thugs while cruising the streets.
For his own reasons, Gil is gripped with finishing the documentary, even though some of his key subjects have either died or backed out of the project. He learns that the fight against HIV / AIDS is not just the responsibility of government - this is a fight that requires responsible action