It was a cool Saturday morning. The sun was up, but it was a cool and sunny kind of day. I had met up with my friend Vanette at the Amoranto Sports Complex Pool for a much needed swimming session. We hadn’t seen each other in a year and a half, but it was like no time was lost.
The pool closes for lunch, and we were the last swimmers out of the water. Truth be told, I required the help of the Lifeguards to get out of the pool. I’d be ashamed of it, but shame isn’t an emotion I invest any energy into. So moving on… We were getting out of our swimsuits and into dry clothes when we decided to see a movie. We both haven’t seen the latest Star Cinema movie offering and it seemed like the best time to see it.
We dashed off to the new mall along Quezon Avenue – Fisher Mall. There are hardly any shops open yet, but the cinemas were in full blast. They’re good cinemas too, I hope they can maintain it.
Anyway, about the movie.
I have always loved seeing Toni Gonzaga in the big screen. She’s a great comedian, and she does drama just as well. And Piolo, well, much is always expected of Piolo and he always delivers onscreen. We see a different Toni here – she allowed herself to have a kissing scene, for one, and she also had a bed scene! Whew. Haha.
But seriously, I loved the film.
I liked the Mama Mary scene where Ginny, Toni’s character, was crying over having been rejected for the Mama Mary role in the school play. Her reaction upon learning that Marco (Piolo) already had a new flame, and was planning to propose. And again her reaction to seeing how she looked like.
Fueled by the words Marco used in his four-year-late email, Ginny was determined to win him back. It was unreal seeing a very well dressed celebrity looking lady brave our railways, and take the bus, and fight for a cab. You just don’t see that everyday. Yet she did it, in her quest to spend face time with the guy she still loved.
I like how the film showed us both perspectives – that of the man that was left behind, his heart broken into a million pieces – and that of the girl who left, her young heart just as broken.
I began to root for Ginny – they were good for each other. Marco supported her in her dreams, and she supported Marco in his. It seemed like such a waste of good history having had a chance to meet again and not get back together.
I’ve heard a lot say that the scenes between Ginny and her friend (played by Beauty Gonzales) was a favorite. It’s not hard to like it, seeing as they were alternately laughing and crying their hearts out. We’ve all done that at one time or another, with or without the influence of alcohol.
Ginny’s confrontation scene with Patty is also one for the books. Patty’s grace and restraint was remarkable. I don’t think I can muster that.
In the end, what can we learn from that love story?
Love has no room for fear. Yes, there are so many things we can be fearful of, but we need to trust in love. Trusting in love means coming out about what we fear, so something can be done about it. Even if it means possibly hurting the one we love. A little hurt isn’t so bad from time to time, specially if it means you come out better and stronger together.
In our early years as a couple, I would not be happy about something that the boyfriend does or says. But I would shut up about it thinking it would just hurt him to hear what I’d have to say. I’d rather keep it, than cause a rift between us. But doing that actually makes a bigger rift. And it does nothing to make us better versions of ourselves.
Like Ginny, there was also a time when I felt that my partner wasn’t applying himself enough. That he could be so much more than what he’s willing to expect from himself. Instead of fearing that it’s what all he could ever be though, I tried to be patient and supportive until he found something he could be passionate about. After all, we need to find it within us to really apply ourselves, no one can tell us what or how. I am so glad I stuck around.
One mistake cannot define a whole relationship. Love can be greater than a single mistake. But there must be mutual love, and respect, and understanding. I have learned this too.
If there’s anything we deem important, let’s say it. Now. There’s no point in waiting for a later time. Later won’t be the same. Later might be too late.
And finally, no matter how life events seem like the end of us, we can always start over. Always. It’s not always easy, and it’s not like it can be just the way it was before, but that doesn’t have to be a bad thing. It is just as well.
I’d love to watch it again, but until it’s replayed over and over on CinemaOne, I’ll have to be content with the full trailer. Sigh.
