Movie Review: Iloilo

Set in Singapore, ILO ILO chronicles the relationship between the Lim family and their newly arrived maid Teresa. Like many other Filipino women, she has come to this city in search of a better life. Her presence in the family worsens their already strained relationship. Jiale, the young and troublesome son, starts to form a unique bond with Teresa, who soon becomes an unspoken part of the family.

No wonder the movie was selected as Un Certain Regard in Cannes Film Festival 2013 as the film capture the a heartwarming story between a nanny and a child. Isa sa mga pelikulan ngayon taon na ito na naapektuhan ako ng husto pagkatapos panooring ang pelikula at ang tagal bago ako nakakalas sa pelikula. Malinis, maayos, maganda, sapul sa puso ang pagkakagawa ng pelikula. Kaya naman ito ay napili ng Singapore for Foreign Film in Oscars at nabigyan na rin ng parangal sa ibat ibang award giving bodies abroad.

Hindi na bago ang istorya at pero naging epektibo pa rin ang pelikula para paluhain ka. Sobrang naaprktuhan talaga ako sa pelikula at nakapitan ko ang emosyon na pinangagalingan ng bata. Ang pelikulang ito ay isang magandang istorya para sa isang pamilya kung paano dapat palakihin ang isang anak. Sinasalamin din ng pelikulang ito ang uri ng lipunan at estado ng pamumuhay ng isang Pilipino na kailangang mangibang bansa at iwan ang sariling anak para lang mabuhay ang pamilya. Angeli Bayani delivers the most truthful portray of maid overseas. Very natural at parang hindi umaarte. Napakahusay niya. Mahusay din ang pagganap ng bata na napaiyak ako on some of his scenes ganun din ang mga magulang nito na sumalamin sa isang tipikal na pamilya sa Singapore. My most favorite scene and the scene that I cry is the last part of the film when Terry is leaving her boy Jiale that holding the cut hair of Aunt Terry while crying. I felt the pain of the boy there. The directing and screenplay of the film was good enough to achieve its vision to deliver this heartwarming story.

The movie effectively captures the mood and the message that it has to convey to the audience. It’s also an honor to have our own Filipina actress to be part of this quality Singaporean film that she is the lead character and also got an award as well internationally. You should not miss this film. A highly recommended if you want to be touched and to reflect about the people who took care of you when you are a child, you should watch this film.

My Verdict: 5/5