The story is simple, very Romeo and Juliet. Sam Concepcion is the son of a poor couple, Ogie Alcasid, a songwriter who’s a one-hit wonder, and Eugene Domingo, a caterer. Tippy Dos Santos is the daughter of a rich couple with a sprawling farm, Zsa Zsa Padilla and Gary Valenciano, with a meddlesome grandpa who’s a retired general, Jaime Fabregas. The two families meet at the “pamanhikan”, they fight, and the young lovers are torn by the conflict. Their respective parents also have sensitive issues about each other. But everything is easily resolved by film’s end for the usual happy ending with the very apt “Pag-ibig” number.
Well constructed and written by Chris Martinez, who also directs it superbly, it has likeable characters also wonderfully acted by a very talented ensemble cast. Ogie establishes the hilarity in the movie with his lively “Dubidoo” opening production number, played with six kids. Eugene is adorable without being pa-cutesy. Her “Di Na Natuto” sexy number with Ogie truly brings the house down. She’s also touching in that scene where she tries to convince her son that life goes on after his aborted wedding to Tippy.
We just love Zsa Zsa Padilla in her “Tuyo ng Damdamin” number. Gary Valenciano owns the screen in “Paano” when he stops Zsa Zsa from leaving him.
Sam Concepcion is simply sensational as the male lead. He and Tippy (who also does well) are delightful in three numbers: “Panalangin”, “Nakapagtataka” and “Ewan”. Even his “Blue Jeans” number that seems like it was just suddenly inserted into the movie, is in all fairness, quite well executed.
Providing great support are Sweet Plantado of the Company and Frenchie Dy as Eugene’s best friends who shine in their own “Awit ng Barkada” number in the kitchen. Not to be outdone is Neil Coleta who really surprised us with his two numbers, “Mahirap Magmahal ng Syota ng Iba” and “Kaibigan”. This early, we nominate him as best supporting actor.
Martinez’ direction is alternately playful and gracious, and it certainly pays respect to the songs that inspired the movie, thanks to the excellent new arrangements rendered by the reliable Vincent de Jesus. The bouncy “Salawikain” number with members of both families singing and tripping merrily while having lunch is a show-stopping highlight. We find ourselves teary eyed in the “Batambata Ka Pa” number sung by Eugene, Gary, Sam and Tippy. As a matter of fact, we found ourselves in tears a number of times because of the sheer brilliance with which some numbers were executed for the big screen. Putting it simply, it’s everything we would want in a movie and this timeless crowd-pleaser is most certainly highly recommended. You should all watch it. And yes, when Jim Paredes, Danny Javier and Boboy Garovillo suddenly showed up in cameo in one scene, the viewers burst into a spontaneous applause of approval, obviously not only for their memorable songs but also for the movie itself that pays them a well deserved tribute.
