Music has the power to connect strangers, sometimes to the point of being lovers. But, what happens when the music stops?
For it’s Valentine offering, Viva Films proudly presents Julia Barretto and Aga Muhlach in a bittersweet film, “Ikaw Pa Rin ang Pipiliin Ko”, by Gawad Urian Best Director Denise O’Hara.
After an encounter in a bar where a drunken Jas (Barretto) sang off-key and Michael (Muhlach) bluntly told her so, these two strangers cross paths again at a chorale practice. Jas is surprised to see that Michael is their new musical conductor. The choir is set to perform in a concert honoring George Canseco, one of the best sentimental music makers of his time.
Michael is skeptical about Jas’ musical skills, but seeing her passion to sing, he personally trains her to be able to keep up with the choir. In between rehearsing for the concert and talking about their passions, their friendship turns into something more.
Michael is separated from his wife, but people surrounding them are against their relationship. While it feels like “it’s you and me against the world” at first, the conflict eventually turns into being between the two of them. Michael tries to assure Jas that he’s not going to leave her, but she points out to him that he will never be completely hers.
As their harmony is close to breaking, what will it take to arrange it? Can one really forget and unlove a person when it only takes one song to bring back a thousand memories?
As Jas and Michael’s story unfolds, let the song “Gaano Kadalas ang Minsan” by Canseco sink in. “Gaano kadalas ang makapiling kang minsan / Sa ‘kin sindalas ng walang wakas, saglit mang magpisan… / Ngunit kung pag-ibig ay hindi rin lang wagas mabuti pa, mabuti nga, mabuti ang hanggang maaga’y magwakas / Pagkukunwari’y itago man ay lalabas at minsan kang matuklasan hapdi’y walang kasing dalas”. It’s sure to tug at the heartstrings.
“Ikaw Pa Rin Ang Pipiliin Ko”, performed by the now trending band, Cup of Joe, is also the movie’s theme song.
“Ikaw Pa Rin ang Pipiliin Ko” also stars Cindy Miranda as Leslie, Michael’s tired and detached wife; Nonie Buencamino as Mang Danny, Jas’ father who used to be a musician on a cruise ship; Frost Sandoval as Elijah, Jas’ brother; Boboy Garrovillo as the university dean, Rafa Siguion Reyna as one of the board members of the choral group; and Jas’ fellow choir members are Nicole Omillo, Jean Kiley, Taneo Sebastian, Jimmy Marquez, and Janine Teñoso; and MJ Cayabyab as a store owner.
