Kumander Bawang: Kalaban ng Mga Aswang (transl. Commander Garlic: Enemy of the Aswang), or simply Kumander Bawang, is a 1988 Filipino fantasy comedy film directed by Ramje and starring Herbert Bautista as the titular character, alongside Mat Ranillo III, Matet, Mia Prats, Timmy Cruz, Jigo Garcia, Jay Jay Salvador, Vina Morales, Joko Diaz, and Ronald Jayme. Produced by Viva Films, the film was released in theaters on September 29, 1988. Critic Lav Diaz gave Kumander Bawang a negative review, criticizing the film's stale and cliché comedy.
| Kumander Bawang: Kalaban ng Mga Aswang | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Ramje |
| Screenplay by | |
| Story by | Jojo Lapuz |
| Produced by | Ramon Salvador |
| Starring | Herbert Bautista |
| Cinematography | Rody Lacap |
| Edited by | Augusto Salvador |
| Music by | Mon del Rosario |
Production company | Viva Films |
Release date | |
| Country | Philippines |
| Language | Filipino |
Bautista later reprised the role of Kumander Bawang in the 2006 fantaserye Super Inggo.[3] He has a son named Boy Bawang in Super Inggo.[4]
The music of Kumander Bawang and the music of Buy One, Take One were released together by Viva Records in one album titled Kumander Bawang: Kalaban ng Aswang/Buy One, Take One: Viva Films Original Movie Soundtrack.[6]
Lav Diaz, writing for the Manila Standard, gave a negative review of the film for its cliché and stale comedy, noting that it is due to it being geared towards children. He commended, however, the engaging plotline involving Berting Labra's grandfather character struggling to keep the moro-moro stage tradition alive.[5]
EVER...............Kumander Bawang
EVER..........................Colors
Sa kabila ng kahinaan ng pelikulang ito (dahil mga paslit lang marahil ang target na manonood), nakakatawag naman ng pansin ang isang aspeto ng kuwento — ang Moro-Moro.