For months, there has been a DVD from the Philippines in my parents' home called Paraiso: Three Stories of Hope. Paraiso is Paradise while in Tagalog, Three Stories of Hope would be Tatlong kwento ng pag-asa. It tells three stories that serve as inspiration for the Gawad Kalinga movement which provides a rebuilding to people going through tragic loss. The first one called Umiyak Man Ang Lang (Though Heaven Cries), directed by Jun Lana, tells the true story of how South Leyte resident Jocelyn Llorente deals with the loss of her daughter, Krisel, in a massive mudslide with her surviving husband and three other offspring by her side. Quite tragic yet inspirational at the same time. The second story, Ang Kapatid Kong Si Elvis (My Brother Elvis), directed by Joel Ruiz, tells a humorous tale of the title pre-teen boy character getting adopted by a married couple and their teenage son. The orphaned boy has survived by eating pebbles and has occasionally stolen stuff. Most of the scenes are amusing if not hilarious but it's still pretty entertaining. I did like the way that big doghouse was falling through the hills. The final story, Marie, directed by Ricky Davao, accurately tells how Rudy Abad dealt with his wife's tragic fate at the World Trade Center's destruction during 9/11 by, after suffering a long depression, agreeing to honor her wish by going back to his home country and helping build new houses and therefore, new communities that are part of the Gawad Kalinga. Nice romantic scenes and heartwarming visits to each spouse's parents precede the eventual sadness that becomes even more heartbreaking when we once again watch the news footage of those terrible events. Overall, this was both lighthearted and tearfully moving to the point that one wishes there were more movies and events that bring such a feel-good emotion inside. And to top it off, Broadway, Disney, and Filipino legend Lea Salonga sings the moving title song at the end credits. So on that note, I highly recommend Paraiso: Three Stories of Hope.
