It's 2:59 AM but I will still write this even if my stomach wants to have breakfast already. No, I don't need sleep tonight until I'm able to express how I love this!
Without a doubt, May Minamahal is now one of my all-time favorite Filipino movies. The range of this work of art is both surprising and remarkable. What initially looked like a cheesy romance story turned out to be a relevant and brave commentary of our society; most especially of the 90s Philippines when it was acceptable to marry at 20 years old haha. How crazy was that? I wouldn't dwell on that since my parents and relatives married also at their young ages. Seeing how the world moves now, it amazes me how far we've actually changed.
For an outsider, this had a shallow plot wherein the mother opposed her son's relationship but for the Filipinos especially the elder ones who had to support their families, it was everything. Some would say it's a toxic Filipino trait. For some, it is an unconditional love. Whatever it was for the others, it was definitely love from my mother (and father) that my elder siblings experienced. But boy was it hard. It had to be earned! Just like how May Minamahal earned my respect and heart for its overflowing charm. I liked Aga in Sana Maulit Muli but I loved him here even more. He portrayed Carlitos with substance. As for young Aiko, Monica, she stole my heart! She is everything that I want in a girl. Her angst and playfulness sent butterflies inside me huhu. Put them together and I had to constantly keep my sanity. They were beautiful and joyful to watch. It's been quite a long time since I watched a proper romance so please excuse my cheesiness haha. I sincerely appreciate how this movie was also like a time capsule. I got to see Tagaytay in its heyday. Jollibee looked like a diner! Everything just seemed so clean and elegant compared to what the country is now. And most importantly, I miss the old telephone in which I had good memories as a child. I'm still lucky to have experienced it all!
To end this note, I may be in a similar situation now with some of Carlitos' dilemma but it gives me comfort that love really explodes in a Filipino home especially in mine. Thank you Direk Jose Reyes for immortalizing that!
