Bona

Bona

Year: 1980

Runtime: 86 mins

Language: Tagalog

Director: Lino Brocka

Drama

Bona, a young middle‑class Filipino, abandons high school to chase after Gardo, a struggling actor in low‑budget movies. Her father, furious at the decision, throws her out of the house. She moves in with Gardo expecting romance, only to be reduced to a domestic worker and forced to tolerate his constant affairs.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – Bona (1980)

Trace every key event in Bona (1980) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Bona discovers and admires Gardo on set

Bona, a high school student from a middle-class family, becomes an admirer of Gardo, a stuntman who works in Philippine cinema. She tags along on film productions, watches him shoot scenes, and cheers for him at basketball games, dreaming of earning a bit part.

Early days Film sets and basketball courts
2

Bona neglects chores and comes home late

Over time, Bona starts neglecting household chores and returning home late, much to her parents' chagrin. Her growing focus on Gardo and film life creates tension at home as her duties fall by the wayside.

Ongoing Bona's home
3

Night of the beating and rescue

One night, Bona accompanies Gardo to his home in a slum where there is no running water, and he is beaten by unknown men. She brings him back to Bona's home to tend to his injuries, staying with him through the night.

One night Gardo's slum home; Bona's home
4

Bona tends him and his wounds

That night, Bona stays with him, helping with chores like drawing water and giving him warm baths. Gardo says the injuries may take days to heal, and he seems pleased to have Bona tending to him.

That night Gardo's home
5

Bona returns home; father beats her; she runs away

When Bona returns home, her father beats her for causing worry and for not informing the family of her whereabouts. Overwhelmed, she runs away and asks to live with Gardo.

Soon after Bona's home
6

Father confronts Gardo and collapses

Bona's father finds her in Gardo's home and angrily demands that he marry Bona. Gardo refuses, saying he does not know Bona and only agreed for her to stay there at her request. The confrontation ends with the father collapsing from a heart attack.

Later Gardo's home
7

Mother asks Bona to stay; Bona refuses

Bona's mother pleads for her to stay with the family, but Bona refuses and returns to Gardo's home to continue living with him. The bond between them deepens despite the family pressures.

Following the collapse Bona's family home; Gardo's home
8

Bona and the other woman clash over Gardo

One evening, Bona quarrels with the woman spending time with Gardo and drives her out of the house. Gardo wakes, and Bona asks him not to bring other women into her home, but he argues that the home is not hers and threatens to throw her out if she stays, leaving Bona to plead to stay.

Evening Gardo's home
9

Gardo and Bona sleep together

Later that evening, Gardo and Bona sleep together, marking a shift in their relationship. The intimacy signals Bona's deeper commitment and entanglement with Gardo's world.

Later evening Gardo's home
10

Annie's appearance and abortion arranged

Gardo spends time away for a film shoot and returns with Annie, a younger woman who is distressed and likely pregnant. Bona pays for taking Annie to a local herbologist to terminate the pregnancy, showing the lengths she goes to for his circle.

One time Gardo's home; herbologist's place
11

Katrina arrives with gifts for Bona's birthday

Gardo brings home Katrina, a rich older widow, who arrives with expensive gifts for Bona on her birthday. The gifts symbolize a growing complicating influence of wealth and control in Gardo's life.

Birthday time Gardo's home
12

Bona learns of her father's death and faces exile

Bona is informed of her father's death and tries to attend his funeral, but her brother drives her away. She returns home only to find Katrina there, who informs her that Gardo will now live with her and that Bona must return to her family.

After father's death Bona's family home
13

Gardo plans to migrate with Katrina

Gardo returns and tells Bona that he will migrate to the United States with Katrina, and that he intends to sell his house. Bona says she cannot return to her family, but Gardo says he is not responsible for her.

Soon after Gardo's home
14

Bona prepares the bath request

Gardo asks Bona to prepare hot water for his bath, signaling the practical routine of his life with her. Bona complies, bringing a pot of hot water to the scene.

Moment before the end Gardo's home
15

The final act: Bona pours boiling water on Gardo

Bona pours the boiling water onto Gardo, leading to severe burns as he screams. The film ends with the catastrophe of their relationship and Gardo's suffering, leaving the audience in shock.

Final moment Gardo's home

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 14:43

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Bona Summary

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Bona

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