"Matang Lawin" (Hawk Eyes) Sung by Mar-Vic

While browsing YouTube to watch classic Filipino movies, Matang Lawin (Tagalog: Hawk Eyes) caught my interest. I checked to find out whether this movie is connected to Matanglawin, an educational program hosted by Kim Atienza. 

Matang Lawin turned out to be a 1979 action drama flick starring Ramon Revilla. However, my focus for now is not about the plot but about the similarly titled theme song written by Snaffu Rigor and performed by Mar-Vic. 

Screen Capture: Lea Productions / OctoArts Films / YouTube

Mar-Vic is none other than actor and comedian Vic Sotto, whose full given name is Marvic Valentin. Decades before establishing his popularity and bankability as Bossing and Enteng Kabisote, Vic Sotto started a career as a musician. He also used to be the lead vocalist of the funk rock band VST & Company.

Vic Sotto as MarVic and Enteng Kabisote

(Photo Credit: Vicor Records; M-Zet Productions, OctoArts Films, and APT Entertainment)  

   

The theme song has been playing back continually through my mind for a long time, so I am sharing the original Tagalog lyrics and my English translation"

Mahirap maging totoo, ang mabuhay nang tama't wasto
Dahil sa pag-api't pagtukso, kasalana'y 'di maiwasan
Malinis man ang mithiin, naghahari pa rin dilim
Mapait ang siyang kabayaran, kung katuwira'y 'di pagbibigyan

Ang buhay sa lupa, sadyang saglit lamang
Sa bawat kapalaran, may sawi at mapalad
May sakim sa kapwa, may talim ang dusa
Sa mata ng lawin, panganib ay 'di lihim

[Interlude]

Malinis man ang mithiin, naghahari pa rin dilim
Mapait ang siyang kabayaran, kung katuwira'y di pagbibigyan
Mahirap man na tanggapin, kabigua'y may lunas pa rin

May pag-asa sa nagdurusa, hatol sa pagsamantala (2x)

ENGLISH TRANSLATION:

It's hard to be true, to live properly

Because of oppression and temptation, sin cannot be avoided

Even if the goal is pure, darkness still reigns

The reward might be bitter, if the truth is not given way

Life on earth is indeed only for a moment

In every fate, there are ill-fated and fortunate ones

There is the greedy toward others, suffering has a blade

In the eyes of a hawk, danger is not a secret

[Interlude]

Even if the goal is pure, darkness still reigns

The reward will be bitter, if the truth is not given way

It's hard to accept, but there is still a remedy

There is hope for the afflicted, judgment for exploitation (2x)

  Matang Lawin Full Movie

                 Video Credit: Lea Productions / OctoArts Films / YouTube            

                                           

Lito Lapid as Leon Guerrero

On the July 23, 2012 episode of the ABS-CBN TV series Lorenzo's Time, the lead character Enzo idolizes the actor Lito Lapid so much he was given a VHS copy of the movie Ang Pagbabalik ni Leon Guerrero for home viewing.

Enzo then attempted to visit his idol at his office in the Senate. (Note: Lito Lapid was re-elected to the Senate of the Philippines in 2010 for another six-year term. Enzo met Jinggoy Estrada instead).

The scene made me smile because I just watched the film a few days before.

Now, who is Leon Guerrero?  The words 'Ang pagbabalik' means 'The return' in English, and this search for knowledge led me to the Video 48 blog.  I found out that the character was the Filipino version of The Lone Ranger, initially appearing in the 1968 movie Leon Guerrero: Laban sa 7 Kilabot.  It starred Jess Lapid, Sr., who incidentally was the uncle of Lito Lapid.

In Ang Pagbabalik ni Leon Guerrero, Lito Lapid plays the dual role of Manuel and Leon.  Manuel is a meek-mannered man who hails from the town of Santa Fe.  The children tease him for his cowardice, while his father always beat him.  Manuel eventually assumed the identity of Leon Guerrero to protect the townspeople from bandits.  Following are some scenes from the Lotus Films production:

Manuel being convinced by an elderly townsman to assume the identity of Leon Guerrero