Taklub (Review)

Every survivor of Typhoon Yolanda (or Typhoon Haiyan as it is known in the West) have their own tragic story to tell. Powerful winds, tormenting waters, flying debris and the loss of dear loved ones have left impressions on Eastern Visayas that’ll never be forgotten. Brilliante Mendoza (director of award-winning films such as Thy Womb and Ma Rosa) took on the task to faithfully depict all of these harrowing experiences in his film Taklub.

The film is told through the perspectives of multiple people. Lianora “Bibeth” Lariosa (played by Nora Aunor) is an old mother forced to live in a tent community with other survivors; and Larry (played by Julio Diaz) a religious man who has lost his faith in God after the typhoon and is now trying to rebuild his relationship with Him. Every aspect of their lives from having to fend for themselves due to slow progress of rescue, and the grief they have over their lost loved ones are shown in vivid detail. The only problem with the film is its unauthentic use of the Tagalog language rather than Native Waray. Still, Taklub is a great film for everyone to remember all of our hardships and rebirth after surviving the typhoon.