Balikan ang ganda, tamis, at pait ng unang pag-ibig.
(Return to the beauty, sweetness, and bitterness of first love.)
Sad to say, did not catch the run of the coming out of age drama when it was released in July. But finally, i got to catch the special run at The Picturehouse, and it leaves a bitter sweet taste of the show at The Picturehouse, after watching the pretty disappointing Becoming Royston at Picturehouse.
The Philippine independent drama was a hit in 2005, but it arrives rather late here. But, it was worth the wait. The movie won several awards at various film festival, including the Teddy Award at Berlin Film Festival, where Teddy Awards are given to films discussing homosexual issues. You can tell from the poster that we have a effiminate boy and a hunky policeman. In the first place, i was fooled by the poster featuring a young girl in love with a policeman.
Here, we have the leading lady (oops, should be the leading boy) Maxi, a 12 year old gay boy living in the slums of Philippines, where his family is working as petty theives selling stolen handphones. He quits school and was well known in his neighbourhood for being a sissy, where he took over the role of housewife at home. Live goes on a usual until Victor, a hunky policeman moves into the neighbourhood.
It was love at first sight for Maxi, where Victor came to his rescue as Maxi was bullied by 2 boys from the neighbourhood. They become best friends, and shares some intimate thoughts on love, relationships and dreams. One night, Maxi's brother, Kuya Bogs, killed someone in the neighbourhood. Victor knows about the murder and wants Maxi to assist him in catching the murderer. Torn between love for Victor and loyalty to the family, Maxi has to choose either side, which he didn't realise that somoething will happen to not only him, but Victor and Maxi's family.
Victor might be an eye candy to the girls, but it was Maxi who is the main focus of the show. We do see sissy guys in several movies. But a 12 year old gay boy falling in love with a policeman? That is something new. And it gives us a slice of lives in the slums by seeing how the poor lives happily in the neighbourhood.
Doesn't one gets to see something different from your year end popcorn blockbusters ?