Paghilom, The Movie: Of Family hurt and healing
VETERAN actor TONY BOY DELA REA who previously worked with seasoned director Elwood Perez during 70’s and 80’s plays a starring role in his new movie, PAGHILOM. Now a movie producer, together with his sister Avelina Dela Rea, former Commissioner of Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) they have set up a new movie outfit called CINE SILANG .
Filipinos highly value family bonds. Our parents and siblings can be a source of strength and a shelter to go to during troubled times. For many, the dream of providing a better future for their family is one of the driving factors to succeed in life. Another powerful factor is the dream to maintain family tradition as to a chosen profession
However, many of these bonds can also become a shackle that could limit the potential of people. There are children who are forced into a career that they did not want, but do it to please their parents even if it against their will. They suffer silently as they have to obey their parents, especially their father. Others who choose to live their lives by their own rules, pay the price of cutting relations with their family, some permanently.
Alfon, portrayed by Tony Boy in the movie, tackles the dynamics of conflicts in the family; the domineering role as a father, the series of tragedies that happened to his two beloved sons, and the personal and emotional struggle between the husband and wife.
Traditional Filipino parents tend to be over protective of their children to the point that they take control of their lives. As a result, some kids are left with no choice but to reluctantly follow their father’s dictates so as to maintain peace in the family.
The story revolves around a family with an authoritarian father Alfon, played by Dela Rea and his submissive wife, Ophel, played by Jane Umali. The couple has two grown up sons, named Mark (played by Piolo Broso) and RENE Boy ( played by Joshua de Guzman). Mark was to become a soldier as dictated by Alfon, and Rene who rebelled after the death of his brother went to Manila to be independent and pursue his own dreams.
Alfon’s heavy-handed way of raising his sons resulted in tragedies and the movie delves into how he deals with his severe guilt. Eventually, there was an unexpected event to his life that led to the healing process of reconciliation and forgiveness.
The movie also features popular actress Azenith Briones who plays Jenny, a good friend of Ophel. Azenith’s husband in the movie is Dr. Bong Guinto played by Bridge Romero, as the doctor of Alfon.
Lance Raymundo dons the white robes of Dr. Marco Guevarra, a friend of Dr. Bong Guinto who referred Dr. Guevarra to Alfon and Ophel.
He played a pivotal role in finding a way for Alfon and Ophel to overcome their grief and start their journey of healing. According to Raymundo, his background as a biology student during his college years helped him internalize the role of being a doctor and explain matters such as finding the DNA of a child even when a parent died a long time ago.
Other important characters in the movie, Anna, as the mystery woman in the life of Mark, played by Sharmaine Suarez as well as Genesis Esguerra, the boy who changed everything in Alfon’s life and his family. There are so many twists and turns in this movie that makes it extremely interesting and exciting to the viewers. Likewise, the family dynamics of guilt and healing could easily relate to the ordinary Filipino family.
As producer of this movie, Tony Boy embarked on this project because of his passion for movies, while Nette on her part wanted to leave a legacy for their family. “We want our audience to appreciate their family more after watching this film. This is a feel-good movie that aims to highlight that there will always be ways to heal as long as we learn to forgive. It is a hard lesson we all have to learn,” Tony Boy Dela Rea shared.
The film was shot in Silang, Cavite, where the Dela Rea Family traces its roots and with the goal of showcasing the beauty of the town, especially their ancestral home and the resort that they built where much of the shooting was done.
It also features one of the oldest churches in the Philippines with white marble retablo, the only retablo built by Jesuits in the Philippines and the second oldest retablo in the country.
The movie was directed by Tejay Gonzales with Lala Servano as the assistant director. PAGHILOM ( sa luha ng buhay) is rated General Patronage (GP) and to be shown in selected theatres nationwide.
