‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ exists for further representation

By Arehta Mae T. Capistrano

Sterling.

It is only appropriate to describe Marvel’s Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022) on such excellence and set a high standard as the film celebrates and wisely represents the culture of people of color through the plot, detailed costumes, and unique sounds found on its scoring.

Black Panther (2018), the prequel of the 2022 hit, is the first to represent an African superhero in the mainstream media. The story interweaves diverse ethnicities of Africa for the franchise that amalgamates the continent’s rich history.

For instance, the first film revolves around a fictitious land of Wakanda set in Africa, and a vast part of each character and the narrative comes from the South African language used by the main characters’ mother tongue known as Xhosa.

As for the costume design, the production ensured that actual garments based on a particular tribe, like Kente clothes, were worn by the characters. The striking yellow, red, and vivid colors from interweaving cotton and silk strips symbolize prestige and reputation.

Movies in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) often incorporate fantastical worlds with possible futuristic realities. In further detail, Black Panther and Wakanda Forever push a clear agenda to be seen by the viewers and to give allude to the indigenous. However, director and cowriter Ryan Coogler remarks on the sequel to be about grief and rebirth in the face of overwhelming loss in its storyline and connection to

Chadwick Boseman’s passing who played as T’Challa, the titular Black Panther and king of Wakanda.

The film begins with T’Challa on the brink of death, while his sister, Princess Shuri (Letitia Wright), struggles to create a cure in the confinement of her lab. With turmoil inside the room, their mother, Ramonda (Angela Bassett), suddenly enters to declare his death. On to the next scene, a funeral with rites and requiem comes after to mourn and celebrate his life.

It is accurate to say that grief has a theme to play in the narrative with Coogler’s aforementioned statement. With a funeral, such an affair depicts an opportunity to express love and admiration for lost loved ones. However, in the film, mourners are dressed in white with smiles instead of tears. A ceremony drawn from West Africa of grief, ritual succession, and healing soon followed.

The sequel to the 2018 top-grossing film deepens knowledge and understanding in Africa’s spirituality than further societal structure. Except, what also forefronts in the film comes in extension another tale and culture— the Maya civilization and Mesoamerican influence added as part of the narrative. The arc of this sequel further connects Talokan, a Mesoamerican-inspired underwater civilization.

From this introductory plot, each scene pulls the audience emotionally and intricately through cultural or historical inspiration or even both. Each tug in African and Mesoamerican references also marks these countries’ actual story of the past: in a suppressed state, and a deep reservation of crafts, traditions, and everything that embodies their culture. on TikTok for ‘What if?’ monologues last 2022. The guitar riff would play and the spiel would begin with, “Paano kung bumalik ang greatest what if mo? ”.

The complexity and real-life connection create not only a story, but artistry through the wardrobe and music supporting the film. Its soundtrack is filled with diverse scoring that supplements each scene— used to introduce two prominent lands—from Latin trap and reggae. Various drums and shakers also augment the culture presented, while the official soundtrack ‘Lift Me Up’ engages in Afrobeat and orchestral instrument as tribute to Chadwick Boseman’s life and legacy.

For costume designs, a mix of garments weaved and beaded illustrate the respective cultures for the characters from Talokan and Wakanda. Colorful interpretations of grief, as worn, like Queen Ramonda’s purple dress and crown, and neutral colors for the Dora Milaje, the warriors protecting Wakanda. Prominently, Shuri’s ensemble of wearing black traditional clothes also convey her change of position and maturity.

Meanwhile, instead of focusing on the Talokan’s garment and clothing, the costume designers decided to focus on jewelry, such as headdresses, ear spools, and beaded necklaces, to adorn the inhabitants of the sea.

Marvel’s Black Panther franchise opened doors for creating more stories centered around indigenous cultures in the silver screen. It has become a pioneer in treating equal representation and diversity as an essential cog in modern society.

The 2022 romance drama film Ngayon Kaya, which was released on Netflix, also featured the song. Janine Gutierrez and Paulo Avelino starred in the romance drama film. Of course, Jopay was part of the movie’s official soundtrack—a perfect fit to the flick’s friends-to-almostlovers trope. It also included one of the band’s 2004 hits, Bakit (Part 2)

Due to its resurgence in popularity, Jopay has entered Billboard’s top 25 Philippines Songs by the last quarter of 2022. It peaked at number 5 in Spotify during the same period with over 25M streams.

“Sobrang grateful talaga ako kasi it’s been years [since we released Jopay] and it’s gotten a second life. The thing that is happening right now happened to us back in 2005 so it’s surreal that the buzz we got back then is happening all over again,” Monty happily confessed.

While it is a far cry from their usual compositions, Jopay is, undeniably, a timeless OPM rock classic. It has cemented itself as part of the modern Pinoy pop culture—a hit to the titos and titas, and even to the teens of today. Thanks for this gem, Mayonnaise.

Now, on cue: ‘Wag ka nang mawala ngayon.

4. Your trusted lightstick

If you’re familiar with K-Pop, you will know what this object means. Lightsticks have different designs depending on what group you stan. It is a portable device that lights up during the concert, and you can be part of the so-called lightstick ocean wave.

Even local groups in the Philippines, known as Pinoypop or P-Pop, also started embracing lightsticks. Of course, it is fun to support local artists, as well!

5. OOTD

If you’re picky, a drip check should be in your checklist.

Some concert-goers love to put spice into their outfits, like glow-in-the-dark sticks in their clothes, cosplay costumes, and more, making them different from the crowd.

A gentle reminder: wear what will make you feel comfortable.

6. Have enough rest

Everyone knows how hard it is to sleep the night before the concert, especially if it is your much-awaited first-time experience. Nevertheless, give your body the rest it deserves. Among the listed things, strength and presence of mind are the most important things you should have on the day itself. Your goal is to enjoy every single moment. Above all, it’s gratifying to witness the spirit of the concert industry in the Philippines. The Filipinos’ dedication to supporting music and live events is always one of a kind. Unquestionably, the country’s entertainment is rekindling— and finally, after almost three long years, the arenas are back to welcome the fans again.

By Jessa Mae Gabalones

Looking into the mirror, you will always find another “you” staring right back. This phenomenon is backed by science, even earning the term reflection discovered some thousand years ago. However, no one talks about what happens when our reflection goes missing—an occurrence that happens too often but is talked about too less. People will always assume this is due to a manufacturing issue or