Unofficially Yours - Quandaries of Falling in Love

After an anonymous sexual rendezvous at the beach, a couple fortuitously meets again as work colleagues in a newspaper company. Cess (Angel Locsin) is a zealous writer for her paper’s lifestyle section. Macky (John Lloyd Cruz) is a dentist who’s pursuing a different career trajectory – he wants to become a writer. As fate would have it, Macky becomes Cess’ writing protégé! Unfortunately, the dismissive Cess makes it clear their concupiscent rendezvous was nothing but an uncomplicated lay in the hay, strictly with no strings attached. Macky is disconsolate because he wants more from her. In fact, he couldn’t get Cess off his mind since the day she surreptitiously left without a word.

Though work constantly throws them in each others’ company, it becomes clear that their attraction wasn’t a fleeting circumstance. And they continuously end up sharing their beds, in a frivolously and savagely passionate affair. “Malabo ba yung tayo?” Cess would ask Macky, just to underline the noncommittal state of their relationship. What’s a guy do if all a girl wants is his sexual stamina? Would he deny her sexual advances? And why is she being emotionally elusive?

Director Cathy Garcia-Molina goes for the romantic jugular to weave the tale of Macky and Cess caught in the quagmire of their romantic past. It becomes a dilemma when physical coupling spills on their agreed emotional boundaries. And the only other way from there is to commit, something that Cess isn't willing to do. We later learn the reason behind her apprehensions; turned out it was a valid excuse to get twice shy about a commitment.

MAGIC

John Lloyd Cruz and Angel Locsin candidly depict what could have been prosaic characters running on hackneyed plot, but their kinship has evolved into a cinematic partnership that translates into something akin to magic - on screen. It's such a sedulous connection; this credibility never wavers despite the peppering of a multitude of contrivances designed to concoct a brew not dissimilar to "My Cactus Heart". Wasn't the latter also about a commitment-shy heroine?

Cruz and Locsin scorch the screen as they parry the blows of an impending emotional avalanche; one that they'd have to directly face - sooner or later. Locsin has transformed into a very confident actress. Her wanton disregard of vanity is contributory to this, thus she's able to plummet into unflattering expressions that would seem silly on other less insightful actresses. These made her more captivating. But then, that's easy when you're an exceptional beauty, isn't it? :)

MEANT

The rest of the charming cast provides more than adequate distractions complementary to the protagonists' story. Tetchie Agbayani, playing Angel's eternally hopeful mother, is particularly winsome. Her scene with Angel at the kitchen was memorable. Cess asked her mom: "Ba't parang di ka nagsasawang masaktan?" She replied: "Hindi lang ako napapagod magmahal. Pwede naman akong magpahinga sandali. Kung hindi, paano ko makikilala kung meron mang nakalaang magmamahal ng tunay?" These lines could have easily turned mawkish; instead, they were breezy, but nonetheless decisive and sincere. Her sentiment warrants attention - and introspection.

QUIBBLES

The film also has obvious careless (and imagined) details that needed remedial measures: Journalists fumbling around the frenzied press room in 3-inch heels? Seriously? Ouch! Then there's the oversight about Macky's Dental Education - where? University of Santo Tomas! While it was indeed established in 1904, it has since been abolished. The last dental graduates have probably set sail with Limahong to rediscover the Spice Island. Where then did Macky finish his dental education? Then there's the on-the-job "writing" tutorial. Such active coaching really occurs in a hectic work place like the Manila Bulletin? Kinda like medical interns and clerks "training" in hospitals? Highly unlikely. No wonder no one reads them :) Oops!

Once a newspaper takes you in, you've already developed a style; the same style responsible for getting you "in". No one's there to laboriously teach you technique! The mechanics of an interview isn't learned in the press room, that's for sure! But these are quibbles easy to disregard, simply because the story becomes real; it comes alive right before our eyes.

OBSERVATIONS

Now that I've mentioned Cruz's thespic gifts, let me zero in on a few minor distractions. John Lloyd Cruz should start doing something about his unsightly bulges soon! He has "man boobs" (as well as a distended and flabby abdomen) and he isn't even 30 yet! It's unbecoming to be a romantic lead and have Sharon Cuneta's lipid excrescences. Has he given birth? What's his excuse for his pudginess? Romantic leads should fulfill a certain physical criteria because it's part of his trade to look physically fit! Furthermore, seeing him walk around sockless is cringe-worthy! Sooner or later, this unhygienic habit becomes an olfactory nightmare.

BEDAZZLED

Finally, Garcia-Molina has mastered the art of romantic bedazzlement. She relishes her narrative condiment with giggle-worthy lines (On not falling in love: "Huwag kang mag alala, di kita pipilitin!"); quirky characters (Macky's roommates, Macky's exceedingly healthy family, Cess' nosy workmates) and songs that make your heart flutter (Janno Gibbs' "Binibini", VST & Company's "Ikaw Ang Aking Mahal", Eric Santos & Angeline Quinto's "If You Asked Me To"). Sometime before the story folds, a musical duet ensues - complete with doo-wopping back-up singers. Now, that's unabashed romanticizing! Heck, even the third wheel, Vincent Villegas (played by the radiant Patrick Garcia) is swoon worthy!

I tried not to swoon. But I couldn't help myself smile!

Dyagwar - When Happy Endings Are Alright

Sid Pascua’s “Dyagwar: Waley o Havey” is a modern, albeit light-handed take on Lino Brocka’s noirish masterpiece “Jaguar” (1980) where a security guard (Philip Salvador) feels trapped in an amoral world of grim consequences.

The story follows cousins Ruel (Erick Fructuoso) and Manuel (Boom Labrusca) who, as security guards, take turns manning a residential compound run by obese crossdresser Shamcey (Chiokla Gaston). Ruel, who’s streetwise and resourceful, takes the night shift while Manuel, naïve and righteous, takes over during daytime. From sun up to sun down, Ruel and Manuel observe and interact with the tenants.

A philandering husband (Alex Calleja) takes his mistress home when his wife (Marissa Sanchez) is away. Me-an, a kept woman is on short leash from her influential – and very married – benefactor, Mr. Miranda. Blushing virgin Wendy is being primed by her slimy boyfriend (Randolf Stematelaky) for the sexual picking, while eternally cash-strapped Mark (Arran Sese) harbors a crush on scantily clad Wendy. Meanwhile, prostitute Krissy (RR Enriquez) couldn’t bring herself to sleep with “the old and the ugly” leaving her penniless most of the time, and with no client to speak of except the occasional “quickie” she gets from Ruel who’s harboring a crush on Me-An.

When Ruel becomes a local hero twice over (he accidentally catches robbers every time he shags Krissy), Me-an warms up to the “brave and mighty” security guard. One night, Ruel takes Me-an to her bed while Mr. Miranda, her elder lover, is away. Meanwhile, Krissy finds the timid Manuel pleasuring himself while on guard. As a consequence, Krissy (who’s partial to good looking guys) helps the reluctant Manuel. In comes the testy landlord Shamcey who’s been eyeing the handsome guard for a while. What follows is a hilarious scene where Manuel gets serviced by his hidden guest while Shamcey turns suspicious. To make matters worse, Mr. Miranda arrives without warning and catches Me-an and Ruel en flagrante delicto... with a handgun readily cocked. Later that morning, the cunning Shamcey blackmails Manuel, put up or Shamcey reports him to his security agency for his sexual dalliance on the job! What’s a guy to do? Would he acquiesce and give in? Will Me-an and Ruel meet their Maker? Will the philandering husband get caught? Will low-flying Krissy mend her ways? Will Wendy ever look Mark’s way? There is one easy answer. Guess.

The busy narrative takes advantage of an able and adorable cast, most of whom make the most of their screen time with copious vigor and energy. The stories woven together by the two security guards are episodic, occasionally running like sitcom. You feel that some scenes were designed to needlessly showcase a talent (e.g. Marissa Sanchez’ protracted rant when she eventually caught her husband). At times, the scenes dryly unravel; you’d wish they used the “edit button” judiciously.

With a collaborative script written by 3 minds (Ogie Diaz, Boom Larbrusca, Sid Pascua), it’s easy to see why the narrative begs for focus. In fact, some strings become redundant (wife catches philandering husband; then angry elder benefactor catches kept girl and her lover). Boom Labrusca delineates his naivete with endearing charisma, it’s easy to root for him. Fructuoso’s easy ways and sardonic grin beautifully complement with Labrusca’s gingerly disposition. RR Enriquez makes an inspired and attention-catching performance that carries humorous moments although she needs a little more finesse to be truly believable. Volume or cursing doesn’t a character make.

“Dyagwar” isn’t your high-art flick. Its film-making skills sometimes feel trite and indistinctive. But it grows on you. And though it rests on fast resolutions, the way main stream movies do, it’s hard to deny its entertainment value. In fact, when Manuel finally hands Mark’s “allowance” and even helps out a border from getting evicted despite having been blackmailed and sexually molested earlier, we were aware of its orchestrated exigency, but we didn’t mind. Life goes on despite the harrowing things we have to go through. We had a smile on our face.

Sometimes, happy endings aren’t always so bad.

Philandering husband (Alex Calleja) and scorned wife (Marissa Sanchez)



Eric Fructuoso (left), Sid Pascua (director/center), Boom Labrusca (right), and executive producer and writer Ogie Diaz (standing)


Arran Sese and former PBB housemate Joe Black


Arran Sese: Isn't he a cutie?


THANKS to Ogie Diaz, co-writer/producer  of "Dyagwar", for his mention in his column at Pinoyparazzi.com.

- http://www.pinoyparazzi.com/eric-fructuoso-at-boom-labrusca-saksi-sa-samut-samong-problema-ng-binabantayang-compound/


Chiokla Gaston (right) reminds us of iconic tranny Divine; here with RR Enriquez and Boom Labrusca.