Tuhog (2013)

Tuhog (2013)

Retirement hasn't been fun for Tonio (Leo Martinez), but it suddenly is when he realizes that he has all the time in the world to achieve his dream of being a baker. Fiesta (Eugene Domingo) is the feared bus conductor, but learns to loved and be loved when he meets Nato (Jake Cuenca). A long distance relationship has been a challenge for Caloy (Enchong Dee), but for the love of his girlfriend he patiently waits for her. In a freak bus accident, the three are accidentally pierced together by a single pole. Though doctors are intending to save all, the last one freed from the pole has the least chance of survival. Who deserves to live?

The premise of Tuhog is pretty simple and the format quite straight-forward. It's good that we're presented with the dilemma first. The audience immediately realizes the gravity of the situation, thus, being free to make their guesses on who will live and who will die. But you really won't know till the reveal. They managed to be entertaining from beginning to end. There's also a very good mix of comedy and drama that brings heart to a humanistic movie like this one.

There's a cohesiveness in the movie that's hard to achieve, because often it's either forced or not there at all! Pulling an anthology like Tuhog requires some detailed planning and effective story-telling. The segue from one story to another is done really well, making the hospital scenes the bond that holds the segments together.

On stories like this, it's easy to say that the youngest one has to live, not having experienced life to the fullest yet. On stories like this, the oldest person sometimes sacrifice themselves, saying they have lived long enough. In Tuhog, they have managed to balance the stories of all three, giving us enough reason to know that each one has a lot more to do in their lives.

Of the three, I enjoyed Tonio's story the most. Here's an old man who had a hard time finding meaning in life after retirement. Here's an old man who desperately tries to find motivation and purpose when everybody just wants him to stay still and let the young ones do everything. Here's someone who suddenly has all the time in the world to achieve his dreams of having his own bakeshop. He's on his way to realizing them when the accident happens. Without a doubt, Leo Martinez is the star of this movie.

What's amazing about Tuhog is that you'll be sympathetic with each of the character. You may not be able to relate well but you can see that each one of them still has a story to tell. 

There are things I don't like of course. I think it borrowed way too many ideas from other movies. There are scenes that are so reminiscent of the movies My Sassy Girl and Ferris Bueller's Day Off, just to name a few. I'm not even sure if it's a sort of tribute or if it's intentional or they hope no one notices. But I was greatly bothered. Or maybe I'm just extremely protective of My Sassy Girl? Heh.

I also didn't like how some of the doctors have this "formula" in which they predict the patient's chances of survival. They seem to take life so lightly, and it's so off-putting. (SPOILER ALERT) It's also weird how one of the doctors suddenly claimed the responsibility for Fiesta's baby. Like, WHY? It's not like they formed any bond while they were in the emergency room. It happened out of nowhere and completely threw me off balanced.

But aside from my very minor complaints, it's a movie I really appreciate. It's part of Star Cinema's anniversary celebration, and it's nice to see them try not to be too mainstream when it comes to the story and even the approach. Heck, I even love their choice of actors!

I'm not sure till when Tuhog is showing, but if you can, try to catch it in the cinemas. It's really worth the watch!

Personal Favorite: Filipino RomComs

I was supposed to post this on Valentine's Day but I got caught up with life. Here's a late greeting anyway!

As much as I love RomComs from other Asian countries, I can never turn away from my roots, a.k.a. Pinoy romcoms. After all, I'm a sucker for anything Star Cinema unless it's starring Erich Gonzales. Heh. Some of my favorites are so old that I watched them when I was in grade school and some are still so new that no torrent is out yet. Haha. Okay, it's actually more difficult to  find a torrent for the older films.

Just know that my bias tends to cloud my judgment but below are some of my favorites, movies that have been making me laugh and cry for a long (and short) time. Also, I arranged my favorite chronologically because I do not know to rank to save my life.

(A/N: Filipino RomCom titles tend to be really generic. Often times, they're song titles that's why I confuse one movie from another huhu unless they're my favorites of course. Also, don't ever base a movie by its title!!!!)

Labs Kita, Okey Ka lang?

Labs Kita, Okey Ka Lang? (1998)

Rough translation of the title: I love you, are you okay? Yes, it sounds lulzy.

This movie defined my childhood. Back when the term OTP was still non-existent, Jolina Magdangal and Marvin Agustin had already been trumping over every other OTPs out there. They starred in numerous movies together, but this movie cemented my love for their tandem (love team, in Filipino lingo). This movie is about how Buchoy falls madly in love with her guy best friend, and her feelings are sadly unreturned. (See, they've been inventing OTP and unrequited love even before they're a thing.) The movie is set on the scenic Baguio and everytime Buchoy sneaks a glance on her best friend, my heart breaks a bit. I haven't watched this in a long time, but I'm pretty sure I'd still love it.

Bad news: I can't find a good copy of this movie online!!!!! WHY! Good news: At least the best scene is on Youtube!

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Dahil Mahal na Mahal Kita

Dahil Mahal na Mahal Kita (1998)

Rough translation: Because I Really, Really Love You.

What happens when the popular bad girl in school is forced to spend time with the golden boy? Well, a lot of romance and a lot of hilarity, apparently. The movie that will forever be remembered as the one that shot the Claudine Barretto and Rico Yan (R.I.P. huhu) love team to stardom. I liked it before because it seemed pretty unique and Claudine was such a badass. And some classic lines are from this movie, "Para kang chewing gum, masarap nguyain." Or something. A bonus cutie in the form of Diether Ocampo is a welcome.

Download it here!

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Bakit Di Totohanin

Bakit 'Di Totohanin (2001)

It has Judy Ann Santos. It has Piolo Pascual. You have two of the biggest names in the Filipino romance movie landscape, it's almost definite that it'll be a hit. This movie is just one of their many amazing films together, but I chose this one because it's just seriously engaging. Judy Ann is a boxed in this movie and Piolo's character happens to train her. This is the first movie that makes boxing so sexy and makes a lot of "action" scenes actually seem to be sexually charged. WHAT. But really, it's a pretty good film that doesn't only center on romance but also one Juday's determination to be good at boxing.

I cannot find a single download, streaming or excerpt online. ;__;

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Forevermore (2002)

For every girl holding on to their unrequited first love, this movie's for you. Kristin Hermosa and Jericho Rosales defined a generation in Filipino movie and primetime teleseryes. Forevermore is probably one of their most memorable offerings. I'm not the biggest fan of Kristin Hermosa but her team up with Jericho was pretty cute. It's a tragedy how they made so few projects together when their love team is palpable! Heh. This movie may veer into weird with the glowing mangoes and all, but it's still a Romcom worth swooning over.

Download torrent from here! Finally, a movie from my list that has a torrent!

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Got 2 Believe

Got 2 Believe (2002)

The last movie of Claudine Barretto and Rico Yan, also their best. It's about a young wedding planner who is always the bridesmaid but never the bride, and a young photographer who is always at the wedding to document it all. It's an incredibly fun movie to watch with tons of pretty weddings to boot. It's undeniable that these two have so much chemistry, and every scene they have together is just magic. If you're going to watch only one Pinoy romcom, then I recommend this. Expect some cheesy lines. And expect heartbreak, knowing that this is the last movie they shoot together, and pretty much the last Rico Yan movie. </3

Watch it on Crunchyroll!

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My Big Love

My Big Love (2008)

Macky (Sam Milby), a culinary chef, suffers through heartbreak and humiliation on  the night his love, Nina, dumps him. He also happens to be too big for his own good, and the only way he sees himself of making Nina fall for him is by being physically fit, and he employs a physical trainer to help him in the character of Aira (Toni Gonzaga).

This is a love story, this is a comedy. But above all, this is a feel good movie, because that's certainly how this makes me feel. I do not even know how to describe this movie because it has that light-hearted feel to it. However, it's not all fun for the two since they get to be separated and it's really the distance and time that proved to be the challenge for them. And being adults who each has responsibilities, it's not something that can easily be triumphed.  The best thing about this movie, really, is Sam Milby being so cute. That is all.

Download torrent from here!

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Babe, I Love You

Babe, I Love You (2009)

I have a deep love for the Anne Curtis-Sam Milby tandem, and this movie of theirs is just adorable beyond words! Nico (Sam Milby) is focused on his goal of becoming an architect as great his father. But he meets Sasa (Anne Curtis), an unconventional girl who then changes him.

It's weird how I love this movie so much despite being quite shallow. But hey, I'm watching a RomCom so I don't really expect much. But it's a good movie in terms of comedy and relationship development. These are two people who meet by chance and forced to be together due to responsibilities. But in the end, it starts to get a bit more serious when they take the initiative, to be the one to find ways to be together. It actually has quite an impossible set-up but it all feels real to me, all thanks to Anna and Sam!

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My Amnesia Girl

My Amnesia Girl (2010)

Irene (Toni Gonzaga) is supposed to have the best day of her life until her husband-to-be, Apollo (John Lloyd Cruz) backed out of their wedding, the day they were supposed to get married. A few years later,  they meet again but Irene seems to have no recollection of her ex-fiancee. It's a movie that seems to have a sad premise but it's actually a comedy. But leave it to Toni and John Lloyd to do their thing and tada! We have a movie that's bordering on heart-breaking and tear-inducing-due-to-laughing. Yes, that's a word. I'm not exactly sure why I love this movie. Maybe it's because I love John Lloyd and I like Toni (and most of her movies!), and put them together and it's just fun! It had some pretty harsh critics even before the premiere though. But it's actually a pretty fun movie to watch.

Download the torrent here!

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Yes, all the movies listed above are from Star Cinema, but some are also under Viva. These are just my favorite, and there are actually others that I love. I know there are other Star Cinema lists that are way more popular than the ones mentioned above (see: One More Chance) but I go for the once that really puts the balance on Romance and Comedy.

Other recommendations:

• Won't Last a Day Without You
• You Got Me
• Bulong
• A Very Special Love
• My Only Ü
  
• Kasal, Kasali, Kasalo

So, what's your favorite Filipino romcom? :)