Richmond Sim I used to hate watching romantic films, especially those Filipino romance movies, because they are too mainstream. Usually, in movies of the same genre, the actors and actresses appear to be overacting, the dialogues are clichéd, the story lines are hackneyed, and the crises are stereotyped. However, this movie is quite different. It just showed that Filipinos can also create their own quality movie.First: We can clearly see the good acting skills of both John Lloyd Cruz (as Miggy Montenegro) and Sarah Geronimo (as Laida Magtalas). The comedic lines were inserted very smoothly that makes the audience laugh in no time. Such is a great talent, because not everyone can make someone laugh. Also, their portrayals of heavy dramatic scenes were very sharp and bold. Even if one has no experience about love or family rivalry, it is undeniable that almost everyone can relate to their story.Second: The storyline was well-founded. I love the fact that the producers finally thought of mixing genres so that the flow of the movie will be as exciting as it should be. The combination of having a family drama and romance is already good, but adding comedy is excellent. At least, they are valiant enough to try a different mix of sorts to give the audience new tastes of quality Pinoy movies.Third: The scenes were virtuous to produce a movie that was never seen in the Philippine cinema ever before. Finally, the altering of clips from the traditional Filipino romance films has come. It is a great feeling that you can feel the 'kilig factor' with the new movie formula they were able to formulate.Being a technical critic, I would only reprobate some switching of scenes where the lighting and the amount of rainfall changes between clips. I think they could have improved this one because it is quite obvious that the sun is shining on one clip and when it turned to a different angle, it turned darker.Also, I'd criticize the cinematography. There was not much camera rolling techniques that was used in the movie. Either way, I think this one is not much necessary for a romantic film because still cameras may do for such kind of movie.Generally, I'd give it a score of 7.

Jose Baking (pleasurelife) I have been away from the Philippines for 22 years. I hated watching Filipino films because they are too loud, the acting is non-existent, everybody talks at the same time, the soundtrack overwhelms the dialogues, the plot is just impossible. This movie happens to be one of those exceptions. Just as any romantic Filipino movie, this one is schmaltzy, cheesy and full of the kilig factor. Well, we're Filipinos, so what? But this one is well-made. The acting of everyone is not exaggerated. Sarah G is a delight to watch showing different range of emotions without going the OA route. John Lloyd's acting is restrained, multi-dimensional, which is a break from most Philippine actors. He also exudes a magnetic screen presence. It is one of those films that I did not fast-forward.I wish we can make lots of Filipino films like this one.

alijuly1st There should be a campaign to ask Star Cinema to at least, stop from making romantic- comedies for a while, though its the only genre making money, otherwise we might end up as diabetics with all these saccharine-filled, artificially and inorganic laden rom-com movies, seriously!I have to admit that the technical aspects of the film, camera/cinematography, editing, sound (at least some of the scenes doesn't feel canned), and production design (except for Sarah's wig) were noteworthy. But, still, the story and screenplay still needs a lot of work. To begin with, Miguel (John Lloyd) and Laida's (Sarah) love story is not believable. I'm not saying because he was rich and she was poor, but, it wasn't EARNED. Laida is almost without flaw and her cutesy/naive approach in life, which others might find endearing, is not a strong rationality for Miguel to fall in love in that span of three weeks. First, she's not that strikingly pretty, compared to his ex-gf, and we didn't get to see Miguel's relationship with his Brazilian ex-gf, except for a scene where he makes Laida deliver flowers to her. OK, so we get it that he has no time, but we still don't know how deep the relationship is. Which makes Laida's contrived arrival, being the new editorial assistant, suspicious. And what do we get? Forced "scenes" meant to generate shrieks and "ooohs, aaahs" from the audience. Enough of that!The sun dance? Where'd it come from? It is funny, but to use it out of the blue without planting it earlier on the movie diminishes its effect. I must say though that the revelation about Miguel's mom was good. At least, it gave some light as to why he's like that. Still, the story and screenplay feels lacking, and to top it off, we get back-to-back monologue, dramatic scenes between Miguel and his dad, Laida and her mom and the icing on the cake, that very cheesy, nauseating scene in the end where Miguel says sorry to Laida in the rain! All I want to do at that moment is vomit. I'm a romantic person, but there is no romance at all at that contrived, trite, artificial and inorganic moment.

braianpogi TOP GROSSING FILIPINO FILM OF ALL TIME1. A VERY SPECIAL LOVE (Star Cinema/Viva,2008) 200M 2. Sukob (Star Cinema,2006) 186.41M 3. Ang Tanging Ina (Star Cinema,2003) 177.82M 4. Kasal,Kasali,Kasalo (Star Cinema,2006) 162.37M 5. One More Chance (Star Cinema,2007) 152.79M 6. Caregiver (Star cinema,2008) 140M 7. A Love story (Star Cinema,2007) 139.61M 8. Enteng Kabisote3 (Octoarts,2006) 128M 9. Sakal,Sakali,Saklolo (Star Cinema,2007) 122.90M 10. Isusumbong Kita sa Tatay Ko (Star Cinema,1997) 104M 11. My Bestfriend's Girlfriend (GMA/Reagal) 101.24MFengshui,Dubai and For the First Time all from Star Cinema may enter the top 10.I don't have yet their gross income.