PAGLILITIS

Paglilitis (2025)

Directed by: Cheska Marfori

Nung nalaman mo kung ano ang nangyari sa bida, maaawa ka para sa kanya. Nung nakita mo ang kanilang sitwasyon, mauunawaan mo ang kanyang desisyon. Ngunit hindi sapat sa pelikulang ito ang awa at pang-unawa lang.

Nung nag-aaway na sila, gusto mong mag-mura at magsabi ng shutang ina. Mula sa lungkot, napunta na ito sa galit. Ngunit hindi ulit sila nakuntento na magalit ka lang. Dapat ay may gawin ka rin.

Kapag ang mabibigat na emosyon ay napunta sa karampatang aksyon, dun mo masasabi na hindi lang ito basta pelikula lamang.

Ang mga eksena ay naging daan upang hulmahin ang karakter—pati na rin ang manunuod. Naipon ang sakit at galit. Nagpatong-patong ang mga pagsubok at naging matibay itong pundasyon upang harapin ang paparating pang mga dagok.

Mula sa laylayan, babangon ang isang lakambini. Tulad ng isang diamante, hindi mo agad makikita ang ganda nito. Pero alam mo kung saan ito patungo, malayo ang mararating nito. Makakalipad ito.

It’s true what they say.

Heroes are not born. They are made.

A diamond in the rough, Jonalyn Samuel is the lead character who deserves to be rooted for. And just like any other superhero, she also needs a sidekick. Every time Barbara Miguel shows up, it’s the best kind of feeling and support in the world.

Eula Valdez really played her cards well. Rissey Reyes-Robinson is believable. Even with just one scene, Paolo O’Hara can be infuriating. Leo Martinez can wear many hats and still nail it.

There are a lot of things you can say on how this film can be improved in terms of cinematography, editing, scoring, production and sound design. While these elements are important, all of them become secondary when the characters take over.

People are the film’s primary focus, with lens always anchored to their experiences.

By all means, you can put the film on trial and scrutinize it with technicalities. But in the court of real world, this should be a triumphant win.

Mahirap lumaban nang mag-isa.

Samahan natin siya.

Tayo’y maging parte ng laban na tugisin ang kalaban.

Let’s all be guilty of being a hero.

𝑷𝑨𝑮𝑳𝑰𝑳𝑰𝑻𝑰𝑺

Cast: Rissey Reyes-Robinson, Barbara Miguel, Eula Valdez, Jackie Lou Blanco, Cherry Malvar, Rolando Inocencio, Sid Lucero, Paolo O’Hara, Leo Martinez

Screenplay by: Raymund Barcelon

Release Date: October 4-11, 2025 for Cinemalaya 2025

A Movie Review by: Goldwin Reviews