Tuesday, 7 October 2025

Movie Review: Republika ng Pipolipinas

Republika ng Pipolipinas is a sharp and imaginative political drama that takes the idea of sovereignty into the most personal, urgent space: one woman’s backyard. Anchored by the riveting performance of Geraldine Villamil, the film follows Cora Vitug, a farmer who boldly renounces her Filipino citizenship and establishes her own micronation after the government threatens to take her land.

The film is both satirical and heartbreaking—satirical in how it mirrors the absurdities of bureaucracy, and heartbreaking in its intimate portrayal of dispossession, alienation, and resistance. Director Renei Dimla crafts a film that feels both timely and timeless, unearthing questions of belonging, power, and what it truly means to be a citizen.

As a mockumentary, the film is decently made and manages to balance sharp commentary with humor. Some scenes are genuinely laugh-out-loud funny while still carrying weight. Geraldine Villamil is a gem of an actress—effortlessly funny yet deeply moving. Alessandra de Rossi is hilarious and magnetic, while Alessandra delivers moments that had me laughing uncontrollably. The cast’s chemistry brings out the comedic edge without diluting the film’s urgent message.

Cora’s story is not just about one farmer’s rebellion but about the fractures of an entire nation. Her fight is messy, humorous at times, and tragic at others—yet always resonant. Beneath the laughter lies a profound message about land, freedom, and the courage to resist.
 
Republika ng Pipolipinas leaves the audience wrestling with uncomfortable truths: that land is more than property, citizenship more than paperwork, and that freedom demands not just love of country, but the bravery to confront its failures.

Republika ng Pipolipinas is a sharp and timely mockumentary that turns one woman’s rebellion into a powerful reflection on citizenship, corruption, and courage. A film that entertains as much as it enlightens.


My Verdict: 3.5/5


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