WARNING SPOILERS AHEAD

Minsan lang ako kiligin, maiyak, at mabigyan ng review ang isang Filipino movie. “Hello, Love, Goodbye,” is definitely a movie to remember.

The last time na sobrang napangiti ako sa kilig ng isang Filipino movie ay, “My Ex and Whys.” Tinapatan at siguro natalo ng “Hello, Love, Goodbye,” ito.

First, the subplot, which I think is actually the main plot, is reality of working overseas. Living in the USA, life is sure fun and rich, but it is also hard. I know some people here that struggles making ends meet. Tapos may mga pamilya sila sa Pinas, at kung makahingi ng mga pangpapackage, parang pinupulot lang ang pera. Paano pa kaya kung DH (Domestic Helper) ka sa ibang bansa na hindi America? Marami ng films na ginamit ang itong storyline, pero nagustuhan ko ang story sa Hongkong dahil it involves someone who actually is a residence and not a domestic worker. Thus, the conflict with the love story of Joy, Kathryn Bernardo, and Ethan, Alden Richards gives a realistic dilemma. Alden will stay in Hongkong as a resident, and Kathryn needs to leave HongKong to work.

Second, and love story ng dalawa. Gumanda ito hindi lang dahil sa kanila, kundi sa supporting casts na nagdisplay kung ano talaga nararamdaman ng mga nanonood. Kung kinikilig sila Kakai, dahil kinikilig rin ang mga audience. Kung nangtritrip sina Joros, dahil iyong din nasa isip ng mga nanonood. This is the art of filmmaking. Kudos to director Cathy Molina. I also heard that she really trained Alden and Kathryn to do their parts so that viewers can truly feel the exhaustion, isolation, and pain.

Third, the acting. Si Kathryn magaling na noon pa. Pero may mga scenes na nadala ako sa sobrang galing niya. The subtle scenes that truly expresses one’s masterful acting. For example, the scene where she’s buying shoes for her sister. She didn’t say much, but I felt her pain and struggle. Iyong tipo bang, gusto niyo maasar at umiyak. She didn’t say much, but her facial expression showed the reality of her situation. Another example is Alden’s smile during Kathryn’s beauty pageant competition. The rain adds an effect of vulnerability. She was singing, and the camera focus on Alden. And you can truly sense that he is falling in love with her. There is the raw feeling na nararamdaman ng mga tao kapag naiinlove ka na. Nakarelate ang mga viewers. Hindi ko masyado gusto si Alden at ang acting niya sa GMA, pero lumabas ang totoong talent niya dito. Props again to director Cathy for showcasing Alden’s remarkable acting skills.

Fourth, the soundtrack. I am starting to enjoy Moira’s love songs. Hugot at ang sakit sa puso. “Ikaw at Ako,” and “Kung Di Rin Lang Ikaw,” are such powerful OPM, punong puno ng Hugot lines kapag gusto mo magpaLSS (Last Song Syndrome), tipo bang repeat song to the max! The song montage at the ending made me cry. Bakit? Kasi alam ko na maghihiwalay na sila, and they spent the day to be with each other, kahit alam nila na masakit dahil maghihiwalay sila. May naaalala lang siguro ako, relate much or dahil lang ba sa kanta?

Lastly, the ending is the perfect ending. I hate cheesy endings para lang mapasaya ang mga fans. Dito, pinakita na kailangan dapat realistic. Dapat talaga hanapin and we have to love ourselves first to love someone. Magulo pa buhay ni Ethan, si Joy naman kailangan niya matupad talaga dream niya after suffering so many years for nothing. I don’t mind kung wala part 2, we can just imagine that they will meet again. Sa lahat ng may mga hinihintay diyan, na kagaya ko, sana we will meet them again. At sana, kagaya ng lyrics ng kanta:

Mula noon
hanggang ngayon
Ikaw at ako.