The Claws of Light (Filipino: Maynila: Sa mga Kuko ng Liwanag, aka Manila at the Claw of Brightness) is a 1975 Filipino drama film directed by Lino Brocka based on the novel by Edgardo M. Reyes. It is considered as one...展开of the classics of Filipino cinema.
It stars Hilda Koronel, Lou Salvador, Jr., Tommy Abuel, and in his film debut, Bembol Roco (credited as Rafael Roco, Jr.). The cinematography is Miguel de Leon, who would later on became a renowned director himself.
Plot summary
Julio Madiaga is a probinciano who arrives in Manila. From time to time, Julio would pass by the corner of Ongpin and Misericordia as he stares at a peculiar building from a distance. While pursuing his quest, he has to work in order to survive the conditions of the urban jungle.
At first, Julio lands a job as a construction worker. Being not used such labor, he at one point falls unnconscious due to fatigue. In the site, he befriends Atong, a fellow construction worker who has been employed for five weeks prior. A co-worker advises Julio that metropolitan life is quite difficult unless one has the income to enjoy living off the comforts of the city. Julio begins to slowly observe the harsh reality of the society, even witnessing the accidental death of one of the workers.