Trapped in the Circle: A Sociological Critique on “Pamilya Ordinaryo”
deskvalor
Mar 26
4 min read
By: Nica Francheska E. Bangalan
Introduction
Pamilya Ordinaryo, a Filipino independent film released in 2016 and directed by Eduardo Roy Jr., provides a raw portrayal of social adversities experienced by Filipino youth (Keena, 2021). The narrative follows Jane and Aries, a teenage couple, two teenage street dwellers struggling to survive in Manila. Their story reflects on the lives of marginalized Filipino youth, often overseen by society. With thousands of street children residing in Metro Manila, the film presents a realistic picture of poverty and social inequality. Using a sociological approach, the film “Pamilya Ordinaryo” can be analyzed to explore the struggles and societal neglect experienced by the marginalized, highlighting their sociological significance within a structure that is socially unequal. Roy’s film serves as a mirror of persistent societal issues affecting the country’s most vulnerable sectors.
Body
Pamilya Ordinaryo centers on 16-year-old Jane and 17-year-old Aries, forced to survive through theft and pickpocketing in Manila. Estranged from their families, both live independently while raising their newborn child, Arjan. When Arjan is taken, their difficult situation becomes worse, leading them to search desperately through the harsh streets of the city.
Throughout their journey, the film examines poverty, survival, teenage parenthood, and systemic failure. It portrays street children’s vulnerability to violence, exploitation, and moral degradation. Jane and Aries resort to crime as a means of survival due to the lack of access towards proper education and healthcare, highlighting society’s failure to support vulnerable youth. Societal indifference and institutional apathy remain evident as their struggles are disregarded by those in positions of power. Cycles of poverty and abandonment persist, illustrating how individuals are shaped by their environment and forced into morally complex decisions merely to endure.
Critique
Through a sociological lens, Pamilya Ordinaryo presents an unflinching exploration of urban poverty and societal neglect in the Philippines. Jane and Aries represent the marginalized Filipino youth forced into homelessness and crime because of poverty and lack of family support. Their teenage parenthood without proper guidance or social assistance reflects the failure of the family as a social institution and the absence of welfare systems. Government institutions, like the police and social workers, are shown as corrupt, further pushing them to the margins. Pamilya Ordinaryo presents a raw and unsettling portrayal of urban poverty and social inequality in Manila through the lives of Jane and Aries. Roy's film exposes how systemic neglect compels marginalized youth like Jane and Aries to engage in criminal activity, reflecting genuine circumstances in urban Manila (Literary, 2020).
One of the film's strengths is its unfiltered representation of poverty, which is presented without romanticization. Jane and Aries are shown as ordinary individuals influenced by the harsh realities of their environment. Their involvement with pickpocketing is not driven by choice but by social necessity, a desperate survival tactic in a society where there is a lack of support that the institution often overlooks. Their portrayal challenges the audience to confront the structural roots of poverty rather than judging the characters' morality.
However, the film could have further strengthened its social commentary by providing more information on the characters' backstories, particularly their family background. Understanding how their families have or have not contributed to their current state would have added another layer to the film's exploration of generational poverty. Additionally, while some scenes emphasize their struggles, certain moments are repetitive, slowing the narrative without adding new sociological insights.
The harsh realities depicted in the film reflect a larger social issue affecting many Filipino children. A United Nations report from 2022 revealed that there are over 246,000 street children in the Philippines who are exposed to exploitation, violence, malnutrition, and limited access to healthcare and education. Roy's film aligns with this harsh reality, explicitly portraying the cruel conditions faced by street children. Beyond representing survival, the narrative critiques societal failures including systemic poverty, insufficient child protection, and generational neglect. The film encourages viewers to reflect on the urgent need for social reform and compassionate engagement with marginalized sectors of society.
Conclusion
Pamilya Ordinaryo depicts a sociological reflection of poverty, marginalization, and institutional neglect in the Philippines. The story presents how societal neglect and institutional apathy push its vulnerable youth into cycles of crime and poverty. By shedding light on the struggles of Jane and Aries, the narrative exposes society’s indifference and the absence of institutional support for the most vulnerable members of society. It urges the audience to reflect on continuous issues including generational poverty, social inequality, and systematic neglect that remains unaddressed. While no solutions are directly offered, the story succeeds in creating awareness and sparking critical conversations on why such conditions are still allowed to exist. In a nation where poverty remains a pressing issue, Pamilya Ordinaryo stands as a significant work that emphasizes the need for a deeper understanding of the marginalized sectors of society.
References
Cinemalaya Foundation. (2016). Cinemalaya Film Festival official entries. Cinemalaya Foundation.
Literary, F. (2020, November 5). Pamilya ordinaryo: a painful paradox of poverty. The Flame.
Roy Jr., E. (Director). (2016). Pamilya Ordinaryo [Film]. Found Films; Cinemalaya Foundation.
Statement of the Commission on Human Rights lauding the President’s order to boost aid for street children – Commission on Human Rights, Philippines. (2024, April 30). https://chr.gov.ph/
Comments