Movie Review: 100 Awit Para Kay Stella

Fifteen years after their last encounter, Stella (Bela Padilla) and Fidel (JC Santos) cross paths once again. Stella, now a successful singles event organizer but fresh from a separation, carries an air of guarded strength. Fidel, retreating from the corporate world due to personal struggles, still finds himself haunted by his past love. Their reunion stirs up old emotions—complicated further by rising star Clyde (Kyle Echarri), whose presence reopens wounds and questions of timing. Will Stella and Fidel finally find the moment they once missed?

 

What struck me most about this sequel is how uplifting and healing it feels. Unlike its predecessor, which carried heavier emotions of longing and heartbreak, this one leans more on self-love, growth, and choosing kindness even after being broken. It’s definitely giving “love yourself” era vibes. The three central characters—Stella, Fidel, and Clyde—are all written in a way that reflects maturity and a genuine pursuit of better versions of themselves.

The film cleverly plays with its title. Each scene introduces song titles—almost like checkpoints—as if Fidel is working his way toward a hundred. Not all of them are sung in full, but the style of weaving music into the storytelling adds texture. At times, the sequence feels like a countdown or a music video montage, which can be a little distracting, but it works to capture the passing of time and emotions. It’s a risk that mostly pays off.

Performance-wise, Kyle Echarri fits his role as Clyde—youthful, charming, and very Gen Z, though at times his character’s persistence toward Stella feels frustrating, almost like he refuses to read the signs. JC Santos, meanwhile, levels up as Fidel. He’s more confident, grounded, and undeniably magnetic here, while still carrying the quiet sensitivity that made audiences root for him before. Bela Padilla glows differently this time; her Stella radiates strength and positivity, making her both aspirational and relatable. Together, Bela and JC prove that their chemistry hasn’t faded, even after all these years.

What makes the film truly work is Jason Paul Laxamana’s direction. His storytelling here is polished and carefully thought out, with a balance of nostalgia and maturity. Unlike many sequels that simply rehash the past, 100 Awit Para Kay Stella acknowledges the years in between. It shows us characters who have lived, stumbled, and grown. And based on the crowd reactions—screams, laughter, and kilig—it’s clear that fans are still deeply invested in this story.

At its core, this isn’t just a romance—it’s a self-help film disguised as a love story. It’s about timing, healing, and the fact that everyone heals at their own pace. It doesn’t sugarcoat the messiness of reconnections, but it does remind us that sometimes, the best way to love others is to love yourself first.

In many ways, 100 Awit Para Kay Stella feels like a return to form for Laxamana. The writing is intelligent, the emotions sincere, and the music-infused storytelling both playful and poignant. It’s not perfect, but it’s heartfelt. And that, I think, is why it resonates.

 

My Verdict: 4/5