MONO NO AWARE

Mono No Aware (CinePanalo 2026)

Written & Directed by: BC Amparado

𝘔𝘰𝘯𝘰 𝘕𝘰 𝘈𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘦 is not just a film. It’s an experience that you have to go through, no matter how tiring it can be, because the payoff at the end brings peace and comfort.

Maraming pagkakataon na habang pinapanood ang pelikulang ito ay gusto mo na rin itong sukuan. Nakakabagot. Nakakainip. Nakakalungkot.

Kahit naka-go ang stoplight, nakakatamad umandar. Kahit maganda tingnan ang mga buildings, hindi mo ito gustong pasukan. Ang mga upuan ay naging display na lamang. Walang buhay ang mga bagay kung walang tao na gumagamit.

Hahanapin mo ang mga tao sa bawat eksena. Bagamat may ipinapakitang mga karakter, hinahanap mo kung nasaan ang kanilang kaluluwa. Kapag kinakausap sila, madalas ay wala silang gana.

Nawawalan ka rin ng gana manood.

Walang ka-buhay-buhay ang mga nangyayari.

Pero sa kabila ng paghihirap sa panonood, ang hirap din nitong iwanan.

Kailangan mo siyang tapusin hanggang umabot ka sa dulo.

Tulad lang din ng buhay na mahirap pakawalan,

ang pelikulang ito ay hindi mo rin tuluyang masukuan.

Hihintayin mo kung hanggang saan ang kanilang hangganan.

Knowing that the story revolves around life and death makes you want to stay until the very end. Even when you can already sense where it is heading, you still want to see and experience it for yourself.

From something mundane and boring, it then becomes calming and comforting. The ending is worth the wait.

Perry Dizon is an excellent actor whom everyone should be aware of. He gives a consistently haunting and affecting performance, making it difficult to separate the actor from the character. His presence alone perfectly captures the essence of the film. Even without speaking, his expressions already say more than enough.

There are moments when Juan Karlos’ expressions and emotions could have been stronger, but at the film’s highest point, when he is needed the most, he is able to pull through. Beyond being a music icon, he is rightfully becoming known as an actor who should be taken seriously.

For a film that lingers on death, it’s only fitting to say that both actors have brought life to the characters. Looking back at their journey, it may not seem as exciting, but there is still something to look forward to.

The scenery that once looked empty may carry a different meaning anew, with the thought that those spaces can eventually be filled.

Without showing too much, it makes you see what matters more.

Without overdoing things, it makes you feel both the losses and gains.

As 𝘔𝘰𝘯𝘰 𝘕𝘰 𝘈𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘦 means sadness due to the impermanence of things, the film finds appreciation in their existence. Even if it’s just temporary, at least we get to live through it.

𝘈𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘢𝘵𝘰 𝘨𝘰𝘻𝘢𝘪𝘮𝘢𝘴𝘶 for this experience of a lifetime.

𝐌𝐎𝐍𝐎 𝐍𝐎 𝐀𝐖𝐀𝐑𝐄

Cast: Juan Karlos Labajo, Perry Dizon, Momoko Kobayashi, Paolo O’Hara, Kentarou Furuyama, Aika Higashimori, Kaname Nagamori, Tadashi Watanabe 

Presented by: Puregold CinePanalo, Cine Canawili, Ihr HERz Inc.

Release Date: September 23 - October 4, 2026 for Puregold CinePanalo

A Movie Review by: Goldwin Reviews