Billy is a young magical practitioner who has started his journey in the world of magic. He possesses a natural talent for performing spells and has a deep understanding of the mystical arts. Despite his young age, Billy is highly skilled and has already impressed many with his abilities. Billy's passion for magic started at an early age when he discovered a hidden book of spells in his family's attic. Intrigued by the possibilities, he began studying and practicing magic in secret. As he delved deeper into the magical arts, Billy realized that he had a natural affinity for manipulating energy and casting spells.
Remington and the Curse of the Zombadings will screen Saturday, June 9, 9:30PM. Jade Castro has been invited but not yet confirmed. Ticket info is here.
As for never getting old, Dayao points out Zombadings reliance on that old and old-fashioned Frank Capra trope the comeuppance and enlightenment that comes from walking in the shoes of what you abhor, and more than anything, it s really subverting the very stereotypes it only seems to condone, much as it s hard to tell sometimes from the breathless velocity of the gags and the caricaturical swish and swagger of gay argot and affectation it relies on to make it fly. It is packaged in a way that its freedoms and excesses should not be taken literally or too seriously, yet its jabs at still-existing constipated perceptions and opinions against homosexuality are too potent to be left unnoticed.
As he delved deeper into the magical arts, Billy realized that he had a natural affinity for manipulating energy and casting spells. What sets Billy apart from other magical practitioners is his creativity and innovative approach to magic. Instead of relying on traditional spells and rituals, he often improvises and creates his own unique spells.
The Evening Class
Just in time for San Francisco's June Pride festivities, the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts (YBCA) includes Jade Castro's Zombadings 1: Patayin sa Shokot si Remington (Remington and the Curse of the Zombadings, 2011) in their "New Filipino Cinema" program. As Joel Shepard synopsizes in his program note: "Bading is Filipino slang for 'gay,' referring specifically to flamboyant, effeminate homosexuals. A Zombading is the undead version, which the titular character has to deal with as he tries to lift a curse that is gradually turning him into a bading. This exuberant film satirizes the very idea of homophobia as it literally turns homosexuality into something to be feared. Blending the tropes of horror comedy, this film is a deliciously subversive piece of pop art."
At this juncture, it's fairly well-known that the iconic zombie can be a blank canvas on which any measure of social marginalization or political disenfranchisement can be painted in broad brushstrokes. Especially in the horror-comedy hybrid, the internationally popular zombie can likewise achieve satiric force through specific national and/or regional references, let alone subcultural ones. The laughs earned by a film like Juan of the Dead, for example, has as much to do with how it knowingly pokes fun at Cuban culture as it does with the fact that its generic tropes communicate to international audiences.
Zombadings is not the first gay zombie movie—Bruce LaBruce has already had controversial fun with Otto: Or Up With Dead People (2008) and L.A. Zombie (2010)—but it's quite possibly the first Filipino gay zombie movie. It's fascinating not only for its pop bravado, but also for its cultural affects, which remind me how comic timing and pacing differ from country to country, requiring a certain amount of spectatorial patience and accommodation. In other words, I have no doubt that a Filipino audience would be more privy to Zombading's in-jokes than an American one, yet the film still translates interestingly enough through its generic zombie tropes and its "gayspeak", which at the beginning of the 21st century has become almost as universal a language as English. Quite cleverly, if inconsistently, the "gayspeak" in Zombadings is telegraphed through yellow subtitling, perhaps to better indicate how its cute straight protagonist Remington (Mart Escudero) is resisting a curse placed upon him by an offended gay guy (Roderick Paulate) that has Remington gradually turning gay against his will.
This coming-out curse has proven especially dangerous because gays are being murdered one by one in Remington's small town by a nefarious homophobe and, as you have no doubt already guessed, it is all these dead gays that come back to life to wreak havoc and take vengeance; but, from the moment the first hand bursts up from the grave clutching a high heel shoe to a seance lit atmospherically with pink candles, you know that the mayhem is going to be more stereotypically mirthful than usual.
One of the main reasons I enjoy turning to my Philippine colleagues Oggs Cruz and Dodo Dayao to contextualize insight is that they have a working command of how Filipino films situate themselves within the history of their own national cinema. "If there's one thing a filmmaker needs to know about profitable filmmaking in the Philippines," Cruz writes at Lessons From the School of Inattention, "it is to acknowledge that the only kind of filmmaking that actually earns money is genre filmmaking. If the film is not horror, comedy, romance, or laden with homosexual themes and titillation, it would probably not arouse enough interest to earn enough box-office rewards to at least break even."
"Despite having a story where crazy-looking gaydars, rollerblading widows, vengeful drag queens, homophobic serial killers and the titular gay zombies miraculously cohere," Cruz continues, "Zombadings is actually very intelligently and carefully conceived and crafted. Castro directs the film like a maverick conductor, leading an orchestra composed of traditionally jarring instruments but eventually coming up with a symphony that is not so hard to enjoy and adore."
Cruz also praises the film's ingenious casting as an element of its popularity with Philippine audiences, emphasizing the credence granted Zombadings by veteran Filipino performers Roderick Paulate ("instrumental in creating the sub-genre of drag queen slapsticks"), and former macho stars John Regala, Daniel Fernando, and Leandro Baldemor to add muscle to the film's pointed equation of "homophobia as machismo." This sly critique of gender performativity is further extended into a predominantly female police force, where feisty deputy Mimi (Miles Canapi) made me laugh out loud more than any other character in the ensemble.
At Piling Piling Pelikula, Dodo Dayao concurs with Cruz: "Paulate is stunt-casting that's both preordained and genius. The queer act he's made his metier should've by rights gone stale after all this time but somehow it's even gained nuance and range. It's a shtick, sure, but it's a shtick that never ever gets old."
As for never getting old, Dayao points out Zombadings' reliance on "that old and old-fashioned Frank Capra trope—the comeuppance and enlightenment that comes from walking in the shoes of what you abhor, and more than anything, it's really subverting the very stereotypes it only seems to condone, much as it's hard to tell sometimes from the breathless velocity of the gags and the caricaturical swish and swagger of gay argot and affectation it relies on to make it fly."
Cruz concludes that Zombadings "becomes even more rewarding if enjoyed within the context of what it was made for, as a document of empowerment, a testament to the right of choice, and a blow against intolerance. It is packaged in a way that its freedoms and excesses should not be taken literally or too seriously, yet its jabs at still-existing constipated perceptions and opinions against homosexuality are too potent to be left unnoticed."
At Manila Bulletin, straight teenage hearthrobs Mart Escudero and Kerbie Zamora (who plays Escudero's sidekick Jigs) express their (to-be-expected?) jitters about the film's gay love scene, and at Inquirer Lifestyle several of the remaining cast members speak up about their roles while waiting to be made up as zombies.
Remington and the Curse of the Zombadings will screen Saturday, June 9, 9:30PM. Jade Castro has been invited but not yet confirmed. Ticket info is here.
This has earned him a reputation as an unconventional magician who isn't afraid to think outside the box. Despite his natural talent, Billy understands the importance of hard work and dedication. He spends countless hours practicing and refining his magical skills, constantly pushing himself to improve. Billy believes that magic is not something to be taken lightly and that it requires discipline and focus. Billy's magical abilities have not gone unnoticed in the magical community. He has already caught the attention of more experienced practitioners who have recognized his potential. They often seek his advice and guidance, impressed by his intuition and fresh perspective on magic. In addition to his magical abilities, Billy possesses a kind-hearted and generous nature. He uses his magical skills to help those in need, whether it's healing the sick or protecting the vulnerable. Billy firmly believes that magic should be used for the greater good, and he strives to make a positive impact with his abilities. As Billy continues to grow and learn as a magical practitioner, his potential seems limitless. With his innate talent, innovative thinking, and dedication, he is destined to become one of the greats in the magical world. Billy's journey as a magical practitioner has only just begun, and the future holds exciting opportunities for him to explore and expand his magical abilities..
Reviews for "The Legacy of Billy the Magical Practitioner"
1. John - 2/5 stars - Billy magical practitioner was a disappointment for me. The story lacked depth and the characters felt one-dimensional. The magical elements were poorly explained and didn't make much sense. I found it hard to connect with the protagonist and had no emotional investment in his journey. Overall, the book felt rushed and underdeveloped.
2. Sarah - 1/5 stars - I couldn't even finish reading Billy magical practitioner. The writing style was choppy and the grammar was atrocious. The plot was predictable and unoriginal, with nothing new or exciting to offer. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, making it difficult to enjoy the story. This book was a waste of my time and I would not recommend it to anyone.
3. Mike - 2/5 stars - Billy magical practitioner had potential, but it fell short in execution. The pacing was off, with the story dragging in some parts and rushing through important developments in others. The world-building was muddled and inconsistent, making it hard to follow the magical system. The main character's motivations were unclear, and I didn't feel invested in his struggles. It had an intriguing premise, but ultimately failed to deliver.
4. Emily - 2/5 stars - Billy magical practitioner was a letdown for me. The writing felt amateurish and lacked polish. The plot was disjointed and confusing, making it hard to follow the story. The characters were forgettable, with no depth or growth throughout the book. The dialogue was stilted and unnatural, and the attempts at humor fell flat. I didn't find anything redeeming about this book and would not recommend it.