The next scene takes us to Negros, where she has become a recluse in their old ancestral home. Her long time secretary, Cora (Chart Motus), arrives with her 10-year old son, Jonjon (Chino Jalandoni). She has separated from her husband in Manila and chooses to live a new life in her hometown. The story shows how friendship develops between Regina and Chino, and how the boy brings back hope and energy in the life of the despondent diva.
The role of Regina is a demanding acting piece and Cherie Gil is impressive from beginning to end. Best actress is written all over her awesome performance. We can’t help but shed tears in the touching scene where she stages an opera for the boy.
We don’t exactly agree with the ending, which deliberately tears our hearts to pieces, but we cannot fault the acting of Cherie and the new child actor who was recruited in Bacolod. The boy is a true charmer, with a very winning screen presence. He looks like Richard Gomez as a little boy and Richard himself is in the movie as the boyfriend of Cherie who’s married to someone else. The performance of the other members of the cast is also outstanding, with special mention of Joshua Pineda as Jonjon’s best friend.
The whole movie is indeed the directors’ loving tribute to their beloved Negros, so wonderfully photographed here by Mark Gary, with all the rustic scenes capturing the pastoral beauty of the place. If you love good music, you’ll enjoy the musical score that is filled with the classic pieces of Mozart, Puccini and other masters. This is definitely one of the year’s best films so don’t miss it at SM Cinemas as part of Sineng Pambansa.
