misterphilippines

Unfortunately, I never got the chance to watch this film in Germany when it won its awards at the Berlin Film Festival in 2004. I only had the chance to watch it when I came back to the Philippines and I never really expected what impact it would have on me.

First, it is obvious that Miss Yamamoto is a gifted screenplay writer and director de los Reyes will bring it far in his respective field if he will continue his great contributions for Philippine cinema. Maginifico is really an enlightment and inspiration towards the development of Filipino films. This is what the dying entertainment industry needs right now.

The story and the sound effects were good, the music really fitted very well to the setting. The beginning scenes of the story weren't really captivating at all so one needed patience to get attracted to its plot. The scenes are simple but they become touching once the story gears to an end. In this film, no character has to wail or shout to catch viewers' emotions, the reality and frankness of the film was so direct and impressive that the story simply forces you to cry at some point. I never really cry at movies, even Hollywood tear-jerkers have no effect on me. This one has just awaken so much truth and reality in the Philippine society of poverty and innocence of a child, it really is heartrending.

One thing that could have been improved are the visual qualities of the film, they are really not compatible to global standards. And there were too many scenes at the story that were really out of topic etc. but otherwise, this film really is a knockout. It is a great contribution to the local film industry and films like these with high quality deserve good production and not only support for the commercial mainstream in the Philippines but also in cinemas worldwide. It can really par with many Hollywood masterpieces.

So far, one of the best Philippine movies of this millennium! There is no other movie that depicts the life of a typical Filipino clan and portrays the Philippine economy better than Filipinas. In my opinion, this was the right movie that deserved the Metro Manila Film Festival 2003 Best Picture Award. A realistic drama that touches right from the very beginning. Even the introduction is already touching. Even the title alone is excellent. Also the soundtrack song of the movie sang by Sarah Geronimo's powerful voice is also excellent. Great plot, great scripts and superior acting! The matriarch of the family played her role very well and not to mention, Maricel Soriano(Yolanda), the main character, is really touching and ground-breaking. One of the most captivating actresses I've ever encountered. This is a great start to kick off the reformation of Filipino films in the 21st century. This film is somewhat very nationalistic, even though it has nothing to do with national pride at all. It is a dedication to the lives of the average Filipino family and pays tribute to the importance of a family. I predicted that this film would not click internationally since it would have been too complicated to understand for the international audience who know nothing about the lower class Filipino way of life. Full of struggles and very promising, it beams up the pride of every Filipino. It will be impossible that this movie would not win a person's heart who knows what the current situation of Filipino life. This film is highly recommended to drama lovers.

I find the story very simple but classic. From the very beginning, it shows the sceneries of a provincial town. In a colonial church, the matriarch of the family (Gloria Romero) sits and prays with her rosary, while one of her grand daughters sing in the choir and her other grand daughter sits beside her. This beginning of the story reminded me of my grandmother in the province when she was still alive. The theme of this movie is how a family should stay together even in hard times. this film is about a clan broken up in different directions and the only element that connects them all is the matriarch of the family who becomes ill. Her sickness: Altsheimer, memory loss. The clan summons up in the ancestral house and there, they have to decide whether they should brake up as a family or not. A very inspiring film, I was amazed by the acting of Gloria Romero, Edu Manzano and Jericho Rosales. Shaina Magdayao played her role as a young innocent child very well. It is amazing how Miss Gloria Romero can still play an excellent role despite her age. I recommend this to people who love to watch heartwarming and family-oriented movies.