Kakabakaba Ka Ba? (English: Does Your Heart Beat Faster?) is a 1980 Filipino musical comedy film directed by Mike de Leon from a screenplay he co-wrote with Clodualdo del Mundo Jr., and Raquel Villavicencio. The film stars Christopher de Leon, Charo Santos, Jay Ilagan, and Sandy Andolong as two pairs of lovers who accidentally find themselves in the middle of a conflict between rivaling Japanese and Chinese drug syndicates. It also features Apo Hiking Society members Boboy Garovillo, Danny Javier, and Jim Paredes, Johnny Delgado, Armida Siguion-Reyna, Leo Martinez, and Nanette Inventor.
Produced by LVN Pictures and distributed by D'Wonder Films, the film, theatrically released on August 8, 1980, has been viewed as a satirical commentary on foreign control of the Philippine economy.
In 2015, the film was digitally restored by the ABS-CBN Film Restoration Project.
Plot Cold open The cold open features several attempts by Onota (Boboy Garovillo), a member of the Japanese yakuza, to smuggle contraband into the Philippines. In 1964, he arrived at Manila International Airport but was denied entry into the Philippines after customs discovered that he was smuggling diamonds hidden inside a Japanese doll. Five years later, Onota, disguised as a hippie, attempts to smuggle money hidden in his guitar but is caught once again. In 1976, another failed attempt sees Onota disguised as a kimono-wearing Japanese woman who is caught smuggling opium inside his kimono sash.
Main plot In the present, Onota is given one more chance by his boss, the Japanese Master (George Javier). His mission is to once again fly to Manila, this time with a cassette tape that carries some contraband. On his flight, Onota slips the cassette tape into the pocket of Johnny (Christopher de Leon), an unassuming Filipino returning home. The contraband is finally able to go through Philippine customs, but Onota has to retrieve it from Johnny.
Soon, Johnny, his long-time interest Melanie (Charo Santos), and their friends Nonong (Jay Ilagan) and Nancy (Sandy Andolong), find themselves continuously harassed by various groups who are interested in getting the cassette tape. Aside from Onota, there is Madame Lily (Armida Siguion-Reyna), who heads a Chinese crime syndicate, as well as the mysterious Fr. Blanco (Leo Martinez).
A series of hijinks ensues. Johnny and his friends meet with Santacruzan (Danny Javier). They discover that the cassette tape contains opium, which Nonong, Nancy, and Santacruzan take.
Eventually, the foursome of Johnny, Melanie, Nonong, and Nancy travels to Baguio in disguise as priests and nuns. They uncover a plot by the Japanese syndicate, led locally by Pinoy Master (Johnny Delgado), for the large-scale distribution of opium through communion wafers to control the Filipino population. The group can foil the scheme in a musical extravaganza. The film ends with the two couples marrying in a joint ceremony.
Cast
Release Restoration In 2015, the film was digitally restored and remastered by the ABS-CBN Film Restoration Project in cooperation with L'Immagine Ritrovata in Bologna, Italy. The restored version premiered on December 9, 2015, at Trinoma mall to close the 10th Cinema One Originals festival. The theme of the Cinema One Originals festival that year was "Kakaiba ka ba?" a play on the title of de Leon's film.
The digitally restored version of the film was screened at the 30th Tokyo International Film Festival in 2017 as part of the Cross Cut Asia program. Program director Kenji Ishizaka first saw the film in 1991 and explained his decision in choosing to include the film in the line-up: "First of all, it's a high-quality musical. To look at your own country, through an outsider's point of view, is always interesting. The Yakuza character is depicted in a caricaturish manner, but that's good for us to see. It's a comedy." Ishizaka added that he thought the film should be watched by younger generations.
The film was released on Blu-ray by Kani Releasing in 2023, with the English title Will Your Heart Beat Faster? The release also included Gregorio Fernandez's 1947 film Miss Philippines and de Leon's 1992 short film Aliwan Paradise.
Reception Accolades +YearAwardCategoryNominee(s)Result1981FAMAS AwardsBest PictureKakabakaba Ka Ba?Best DirectorMike de LeonBest Supporting ActorJohnny DelgadoBest EditingIke Jarlego, Jr.Best SoundRamon ReyesGawad Urian AwardsBest Picture (Pinakamahusay na Pelikula)Kakabakaba Ka Ba?Best Direction (Pinakamahusay na Direksyon)Mike de LeonBest Supporting Actor (Pinakamahusay na Pangalawang Aktor)Johnny DelgadoBoboy GarovilloBest Supporting Actress (Pinakamahusay na Pangalawang Aktres)Nanette InventorArmida Siguion-ReynaBest Screenplay (Pinakamahusay na Dulang Pampelikula)Mike De Leon, Clodualdo del Mundo, Jr., and Raquel VillavicencioBest Editing (Pinakamahusay na Editing)Ike Jarlego, Jr.Best Cinematography (Pinakamahusay na Sinematograpiya)Rody LacapBest Production Design (Pinakamahusay na Disenyong Pamproduksiyon)Raquel VillavicencioBest Music (Pinakamahusay na Musika)Lorrie IlustreBest Sound (Pinakamahusay na Tunog)Ramon Reyes
See also Mike De Leon Christopher De Leon Charo Santos Jay Ilagan Sandy Andolong Johnny Delgado Apo Hiking Society
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