When I was a kid, I usually wonder why I have a certain attraction to love stories and dramas. I was just a girl, I had never fallen in love ever when I was that small, so I did not have any reason at all how come I get too attracted with love stories.
As I grew up, I realized how those stories touch not just my heart but also my deeper awareness. As I learned to love and be loved back, I already know how things happened that way. But, my mom always tells me, “They are only movies, Anak”.
Among the local Filipino films, I could say that Dahil Mahal na Mahal Kita of Claudine Baretto and Rico Yan is my favorite. Some people, even the Filipinos criticize the way Filipino movies and concepts are made. But, for me Dahil Mahal na Mahal Kita possesses just the right spices for a movie to be considered good.
Dahil Mahal na Mahal Kita may not be the best movie of all the local movies, but it is one of the best-made and conceptualized movies ever. The story about a rebellious student Mela, played by Claudine Baretto evolved into something charming, all because of Miguel, a guy raised by a reputable family, who acts as the neutralizing agent for Mela. The story was somehow very typical and if you were able to watch it, you can even say how the next story would evolve. But, seeing how capable the actors and actresses of the story to portray their roles, someone would get in touch to the story, and you can even put yourself into it.
The movie Dahil Mahal na Mahal Kita was out in cinemas years ago. Imagine, Rico Yan had been dead for several years already, but I’m still talking about a movie played by him. It was in 1998 that this movie was released, simultaneously when the Claudine-Rico love team was in the peak. The movie’s official soundtrack is also entitled Dahil Mahal na Mahal Kita sung by Roselle Nava, one of the most popular tracks played in the radio during those times.
A guy who projects a respectable image in the society like Miguel believed that he would impossibly fall inlove with a subversive girl in the campus who not knows anything but display insolent image to everyone. Mela was misunderstood, those who do not know her completely would assume that she is just one hopeless bitch in the campus and that no one would ever change her. Until a bet changed everything about Miguel’s view of Mela. They discovered that there is something tied between the two of them from the very moment their eyes laid on each other. Miguel was able to change the ways of Mela, from the way she dressed to way she talks. Mela turned to be refined lady in the campus. But, due to rumors about her, Miguel’s mother has not come into liking Mela. She opposed Miguel to introduce her to the public as his girlfriend. And, it was so hurting when the birthday of Miguel came. Due to his mother’s protests, he told Mela that he’s not going to throw a party because he is ill. Mela went to his place to surprise him with a gift but with frustration all over her, she went home with the gift in her hands because she found out that there’s a huge party in his house, without her in the list of the guests. Mela forgave Miguel for that mistake because she couldn’t compete with his mom. But, another conflict came, the more serious one. Mela and Miguel would skip the beat without Ryan, played by Deither Ocampo in the background of the story. Ryan was the ex-boyfriend of Mela in the movie, who had been rejected by Mela already. But Ryan, who is still into Mela, invited her to his place one day sewing up reasons, while setting up bait. He and Cory (played by Lailani Navarro), want to break Mela and Miguel’s relationship. Cory is obsessed with Miguel and Ryan is still in love with Mela. The bait is a video taking up a scene of Ryan kissing Mela in his bed. Mela got so mad with the intrusion, that it changed Ryan’s decision. But, his decision went out late that Cory already stole the video tape, and eventually got her into playing it in their movie class. The scene was publicized before Ryan was able to stop it. What would you think the consequence be? Miguel and Mela end up having a very serious argument inside a classroom, and everything about their relationship ended up there.
Miguel got so mad, with all Mela’s past playing inside his head, he was filled with contempt during their argument, he never listened to whatever Mela said. He never realized that it’s all about trust, Mela is already worth his trust that he should’ve listened to her. But, he didn’t. So, to complete his accusations, Mela got back into her old self. They graduated being separated. It took time to heal their broken wounds. Mela tried to love back Ryan again, but it’s still Miguel who owns her heart, and Ryan knows it for a fact. One day, he finally gave up Mela to Miguel, knowing that they still both love each other so much. He gave up his love for some other’s happiness, and it was never put into waste.
I have seen a lot of movies, from action to comedy, from drama to horror films, made by Filipinos. I love to watch the old Filipino horror films, which have been noticeably deteriorating these days due to continuous imitations from other Asian horror films. Action and scientific-related films are not so timely for the Filipinos to invent on in today’s generation too. Filipinos, like other nationalities would’ve preferred watching Western movies when it comes to the effects, make-ups, costumes and other technologically advanced films than watching Filipino-made movies. The Philippine movies still need an entirely modernized way before inventing on movies which need visual effects that could appeal to the mass, moreover not to humiliate the Philippines cinema.
But, the Philippines got the best of comedy and drama! This is somehow very brilliant of the moviemakers to come up with the same genre movies yet still very appealing while they bring out the heart of every viewers, relating these movies to the lives of every viewer. Some critics would say that it is very easy to predict the drama and comedy movies these days, others just do remakes of the past movies some generations ago. But, it is not completely that way… Filipinos have better ways of reinventing itself. We may not be a country which is technologically-equipped but, we have very creative minds that is more tangible to the hearts of individuals, who are the viewers. Movies like these make us cry, fall in love, smile, keep us kilig, and make us become a part of the film itself.
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