1. I often hear my friends rave about this movie, be it on their posts on social media or over drunken conversations with our favorite potion. Some of them have seen the movie more than once. "You have to see it twice", they would often say, "to fully appreciate and understand the movie". I had the chance to see the movie last night here in UPLB but prior to that, I did not watch the trailer (or any other clips) on purpose, not even the infectious and much-praised song by Armi Millare. I want the movie to surprise me, without having any idea on what to expect (I've had enough of disappointing movies, thank you very much). As I left the auditorium after the credits rolled and the lights were lit, I was satisfied that I made the right decision. 2. The plot of the film is simple. Actually, there isn't much to it. But the film's apocryphal stories about Baler (Filipinas providing food and information to their Spanish soldier boyfriends during the siege at the Church of Baler; how seven families survived a tsunami and built a shelter far from the shore; and how in the 70's, the crew of Francis Ford Coppola's Apocalypse Now left a surfboard, which was then picked by locals, eventually turning them into surfing champs) perfectly intertwine with the manic and twisted story and flawed characters.3.The actors were great. Sid Lucero's outburst and curses reminds me of his drunken Philosopher character in the movie "Norte" (Lav Diaz, 2013). Ana Abad Santos was the perfect mother and daughter of Baler who clings so desperately to the stories told about her. The suffering of Annicka Dolonius throughout the movie gives us a witness and spectator on all the mess that they have created. RK Bagatsing provides an enigma and an equalizer to Lucero's madness. Gwen Zamora was a revelation in her character who slowly set the whole conflict in motion. Archie Alemania provides balance and humor to these crazy characters. 4. What's great about these characters was that they are all flawed and they showed the humanity of being weak, scarred, and helpless in a tangled mess. Its impact among viewers, in my opinion, is that we were just there, as if we were also included in their problems, helplessly watching them as they fall into disarray and foolishness. We were the Fionas (Dolonius) who desperately cry towards the end of the movie, as the bus moves past Baler. 5. What makes a movie better with already a great story and actors in its helm? Great music – musical scores and songs. And what would be more perfect than having Up Dharma Down's Armi Millare do both work for you? A result so close to perfection, you may have already reached the nirvana of film making and musical scoring. 6. What's really the root of conflict between Rich and Ford? What was the real story? Who's telling the truth? Was Ford's mother really telling the truth about the identity of his father? What happened to them at the end of the movie? We may never know. It's our "What's in the briefcase?" in Quentin Tarantino's Pulp Fiction. But, let's just leave it there. A great story needs to be talked about and discussed. I bet this will be studied in film schools for the future generation of filmmakers. This movie is an instant classic. (5 Stars. You NEED to see this movie.)

Mario Cornejo's Apocalypse Child is one of the finalists of the Qcinema 2015 International Film Festival Competition. It won several awards such as the grand prize for the Best Picture and I can certainly see why. It is simply astonishing in how viciously calm it is. The film takes place on the surfing town of Baler where Ford (played by Sid Lucero) has lived all his life with the belief that he is the son of a famous Hollywood director, Francis Ford Coppola. Once Ford's childhood friend Rich (RK Bagatsing) goes back to town to take his father's place in politics, Ford starts to question his heritage, causing all sorts of personal oppression as the story goes on.A beautiful aspect about the film is how mature it is in its approach to drama. The characters and their manner of acting are all very subtle. They give hints here and there. Apocalypse Child, exploring the complexity of difficult truths and pain, contains multitudes of emotions in such abundance. The great thing about the acting is how the characters don't break out in an Oscar pleading way every so often. There is a climax, but the film does not render its emotions meaningless through wasted tears. One misconception about drama shown in a lot of films today is how the screenwriter mistakes crying for genuine emotion. Yes, tears can be an effective tool in a storyteller's repertoire because they can heighten a moment or a certain importance in a scene, but the thing is, tears have to be earned. The characters have to build up to them. This is what Apocalypse Child does so beautifully. The movie does not show characters crying out painfully in every scene. The acting is very subdued. The performances of each character do not tell the audience how they should feel. It is up to the viewer to read between the lines so he/she can insert true emotion whenever a character is silent or whenever there is a subtle body movement, whether it be through a quick gesture or a facial expression. This is a film where the past bears the force of a tsunami, where the truth is lurking behind the most innocent of faces, threatening to destroy the personal lives of many. These characters, these surfers of Baler, are forced to surf with the waves of pain and torment. They are forced to surf in their tortured past where all the mythologies of the town have been made to cover up the truth so heartbreaking to many. The cinematography is exquisite. Although the film had a low budget, the way the camera matches the character's actions makes us feel what they are feeling. The film also did a good job of capturing the spirit of Baler, a small town idyllic in its culture. The surfing scenes are done well, the burbling of water and the gliding of waves bringing so much essence in the pleasures of a beach-bound lifestyle. Young Again, a song written by Armi Millare for the film, perfectly depicts the pain faced by the characters who are oppressed by their personal histories and backstories. This isn't a blockbuster type of film, there is no CGI used. Apocalypse Child is deliriously stunning through its simple camera movements and its editing of story lines to tie the characters in a tightly- knit family drama. Apocalypse Child is easily one of the best Filipino films I have ever seen. It arrived quietly into cinemas without much fanfare. In fact, I was the only person inside the cinema when I watched it. To me, the film is truly remarkable. It is a rare motion picture that withdraws from the demands of traditional storytelling to dwell on the moods and affections of a whole town that just seems to want to gloss over all the pain that's just underneath the sun- kissed surface of their idyllic beach lives. It can be appreciated on all levels as it contains many themes that relate with love, family, and the cultural tradition of one's town. It really deserves a much larger audience that it has gotten throughout the limited screenings it had this year. Apocalypse Child is profound and momentous.

One of the best film of 2015, of the Philippine cinema rather. It definitely deserves to be seen!This is a film of truth and half-truths, of emotions, choices and memory. This is a film that doesn't rely on a certain plot but in the unavoidable impulse of the characters. Unlike Transit which allows us to have enough time to dive in each of the characters, Apocalypse Child gave the viewers a whirlwind of of excitement to understand each of them, what's happening and what the hell will they do next.Fiona (Annicka Dolonius), 19, young, wild and free, was in the town of Baler keeping her terminally ill grandmother a company. That's all we know about her because she's basically the outsider and without scars of the past unlike the other characters. At first, I can't easily grasp why the 'age' thing was really a big thing, they had two scenes about it and I wonder if the scenes are unnecessary or not until the line saying it's better to learn surfing when you're young and the bus scene in the end (my favorite scene)! Yeah, she's the youngest and suddenly exposed to the mystical town of Baler and to the misadventures of life. She's every characters past where everything's new to her and cannot handle life easily. That's the beautiful thing about the ending, everything's clear, it's a new beginning in the end. The soundtrack, Young again by Armi Millare, is a perfect catch.Ford (Sid Lucero), is the 'go with the flow' guy. He basically rides with the waves as depicted in his surfing style of life. Without any limits and accompanied by his young mother, he was pictured as a laid back one having inner dark side. Rich (RK Bagatsing), seems the exact opposite of Ford. Growing up with a strict dad and had the opportunity to study abroad, it seems that his actions are always calculated and controlled. But yeah, in the end he learned to let go and ride the waves when he said, 'Let it be.' Chona (Ana Abad Santos), has the most damaged character, clinging to the lies and stories of the past. Ana's portrayal of the role was superb!I guess, the taking off the shoes scenes mean letting go of Chona's past and Rich's controlled attitude. Amidst these mixed of emotions, Serena (Gwen Zamora), is the most composed of all, parallel to Chona's situation, she remained intact on the outside but still broken on the inside, ready to give her 'advance lessons' in life. There are numerous symbolism and metaphors in the film and the cinematography is superb!Amidst the heavy emotions in the film, nature tends to balance it all. It's amazing how in a laid back place, anything unimaginable can happen. It seems like the characters doesn't care about the consequences of their actions. Maybe it's the alcohol, no, the weed, or the mystical vibes of the place. Whatever it is, the rule of traveling is, whatever happened in Baler, stays in Baler. No, in every place you went to, you leave a part of yourself. And you can't leave a place without extra baggage, whether it's good or bad, it's up to you. And if you will return, as the characters did, or Chona will, one can never see the place the way they've seen it before.

I am glad this has finally seen its commercial run. This is not really a love story, so don't get your hopes that this is rom com. Call it a snapshot of what happens when Ford (Lucero) finds his boyhood friend in the person of Rich (Bagatsing ), who is now a politician, in the surf town of Baler. Ford also fools around with Rich's fiancée while still having sex with another girl. This movie lets you peek on how their lives are. Beautifully acted and written, especially by lead Lucero. All the supports are great and even the musical score is fresh. This is really different from the usual films. The relationship between mother and son as well as the missing dad is also portrayed in an honest way. The dialogue here is easy to relate as well. Truly, a refreshing face in Philippine cinema.