Frankly, the film ‘Siargao’ by Paul Soriano is nothing but a forced story about two people who could be considered as TOTGAs or the ‘The Ones that Got Away’; but is charmingly written to bring together two people finding themselves in a teardrop-shaped island of Siargao situated in the province of Surigao del Norte.
Watching the film could definitely make more people curious about the place why it has been a haven of surfers—both local and foreigners alike.
Between ‘Ang Larawan’ and this Ten17 Productions official entry to the Metro Manila Film Festival 2017 (MMFF); I must say that this one is an easy pick to be the best picture. That’s just me.
Riding and Understanding the Waves.
There is such a thing about waves. It reflects certain emotion[s] of a person, which can be referred to the three characters in this film which Soriano succeeded in depicting and have won for the second best picture award for this year’s MMFF.
The waves in the ocean can be considered as the state of human emotions like inner conflicts. A stormy ocean could be used as a symbolism.
In the film, both female characters can be painted like the high, crashing waves–overwhelming emotions that threaten to ‘drown’ them. While the one with the lead male character—it conveys a contradicting scenario; going far out to the sea in order to face and explore his own emotion.
Well chosen Stars and well acted as well.
Having Jericho Rosales who is a surfer himself is one easy task to portray the character of Diego. His acting chops can never be questioned—he is really good and he can easily make his audience cry when he starts to shed tears. ‘Siargao’ is a home that he ran away just to pursue his dreams of becoming a musician; but eventually the place that his heart would find real ‘home’.
Despite how simple the plot is—the three characters have proven that whatever role given to them—is a something that they can give life effectively and bring a new wave of experience for the spectators.
Laura, a famous Vlogger breathed by Erich Gonzales (mind you, this is a better version of the character once portrayed by Liza Soberano in ‘My Ex and Whys’) who flew all-the-way from Manila just to find herself and try to answer questions she raised when her fiancé popped up the question of getting married.
Both could be the TOTGAs or the ‘The Ones That Got Away’.
The third character is Jasmine Curtis-Smith’s character as Abi. Her character is closely intertwined with Diego and Laura. They are as if the currents or the waves that have a ripple effect with each other. Abi, being the ex of Diego is someone who has given up surfing for the longest time as she sees the waves as overwhelming; and would remind her of the memories; the feelings she still nurture toward Diego over the years even after their breakup.
Challenging but Engaging.
Capturing the waves is just like allowing the moviegoers ride and experience surfing for the first time. The cinematography is breathtaking. In fact, the Department of Tourism can very well use this as a campaign piece for the island and for the Philippines as a whole.
Seeing the scenic shots as well as the death-defying ones with the crashing waves were meticulously captured by both Mark Victor and Odyssey Flores; it is just but fitting that the film earned the Best Editing and Best Cinematography awards, respectively.
Direk Paul assembled the best team there is to complete a film that is worthy to be hailed as one of the best for its magazine-like and glossy-feel storytelling about an island in the Philippines; waiting to be discovered and to be nurtured by Filipinos for its beauty and mystique.
Still showing in cinemas and don’t let this to be a TOTGA—The One That Got Away as a film because the audience felt it’s nothing but a surfing flick. There is more to it than meets the eye and even by its first impression. It promises to rock one’s emotion, too.
‘Siargao’ is a perhaps one of Soraino’s best films. It will surely make you want more when you hit the cinemas and feel the splashing sound of waves as well as its calming effects to the soul.
