Patrolman is a 1988 Filipino action film directed by Cesar SB. Abella and starring stuntman Baldo Marro as the titular patrolman. It also stars Melissa Mendez, Sunshine, Raoul Aragonn, Dick Israel, Zandro Zamora, Arwin Rogelio, and Odette Khan. Based on a true story, the film is about a dedicated and honest policeman who becomes a target of the New People's Army's Sparrow Unit.[2] The film was produced by El Niño Films and released on December 25, 1988, as part of the 14th Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF).
Patrolman won three MMFF awards, for Best Picture, Best Actor (Marro), and Best Supporting Actor (Israel). Marro's win for Best Actor is considered an upset by many, as Christopher de Leon was more critically favored for his performance in Magkano ang Iyong Dangal?. Critic Lav Diaz gave a negative review for the film, criticizing its excessive moralizing and unclear reason as to why the enemies would target the titular character.
On its opening day, Patrolman grossed ₱381 thousand, the least grossing film among the six MMFF films.[4][5] By January, however, the film was able to surpass Itanong Mo sa Buwan, and ranked fifth out of all the entries to the festival.[6]
Critical response
Lav Diaz, writing for the Manila Standard, gave Patrolman a negative review, criticizing the film for putting excessive emphasis on its theme of the ideal policeman in both dialogue and visuals, with his own review being titled "Propaganda of the police". He also questioned why the Sparrow team of young rebels and hitmen targeted Marro's character, an overall righteous policeman, without a clear reason for doing so. However, Diaz admitted that the film is able to effectively hit upon a person's conscience, accidental or otherwise.[2]
MMFF Best Actor controversy
Baldo Marro, a stuntman who had solely received supporting roles before Patrolman, won the MMFF Award for Best Actor.[4][5] His win is generally considered an upset by many, as he beat out favored actor Christopher de Leon, who received acclaim for his performance in Magkano ang Iyong Dangal?.[7][5][8] Actress Armida Siguion-Reyna expressed the sentiment that both de Leon and Mark Gil, the latter from Itanong Mo sa Buwan, were more deserving of the MMFF Best Actor award than Marro, stating that "I like Baldo – but that is beside the point. Let us not be cruel to him by making him believe that what he did is great acting."[9]
^ abDiaz, Lav (January 4, 1989). "Propaganda ng pulis". Manila Standard (in Filipino). Manila Standard News, Inc. p. 15. Retrieved September 4, 2020. Sa kabila nga ng mga kahinaang nabanggit, nakapanduduro pa rin ng konsensiya ang pelikulang ito, Di man sinasadya'y sinasabi nitong panahon na ng pangangaral... at ginawa ito ni Odette Khan sa pagwawakas ng pelikula...
^ abcdeMagsanoc, Letty (December 28, 1988). "Austria, Marro win top honors in Metro filmfest". Philippine Daily Inquirer. p. 8.
^Mendoza, Meg (January 8, 1989). "Brokenhearted hosts". Manila Standard. Manila Standard News, Inc. p. 14. Retrieved September 4, 2020. From what we heard, the ranking of the filmfest moneymakers are as follows: Agila ng Maynila, Pik Pak Boom...
^Diaz, Lav (December 31, 1988). "Kuwentong seks" [Sex story]. Manila Standard (in Filipino). Manila Standard News, Inc. p. 16. Retrieved August 24, 2020. Umaabot na halos sa puntong kapag nanuod ang tao ng isang pelikulang kinatatampukan [ni Christopher de Leon], siya na ang pinanunood at hindi ang pelikula.
^Bocobo, Ariel (December 31, 1988). "Caught in the act". Manila Standard. Manila Standard News, Inc. p. 10. Retrieved September 4, 2020. Oh, by the way, congrats to unknown actor Baldo Marro for topping veteran actor Christopher de Leon as best actor...
