Si Chedeng at si Apple: Poignant and hilarious
I arrived more than an hour before the start of a movie launch at the Trinoma Cinema 2, and just a few minutes, moviegoers started to flock until the area outside the cinema was swarmed with avid and curious followers, both young and young at heart, of the main characters. I glimpsed at some movie stars, filmmakers and journalists who showed their support to the movie and the people behind it. Yes, it's the movie that reunited the once considered the most beautiful women in the 70s.
After decades of its team-up, Gloria Diaz and Elizabeth Oropesa in their 1974 classic, "Ang Pinakamagandang Hayop sa Balat ng Lupa," the veteran actresses reunited as titular characters in the new comedy-drama film, "Si Chedeng at Si Apple," official entry of this year's Cinema One Originals which received a Special Mention from the jury "for its humorous critique on Filipino macho culture and its discourse on the emancipation of gender and age."
The movie revolves around the lives of Chedeng (Diaz) and Apple (Oropesa) who are best friends on the cusp of their twilight years. Chedeng, 66, decides to come out of the closet in the wake of her husband's death. Such revelation, of course, quakes the entire family. Meanwhile, Apple, 63, beheads her live-in partner after a night of violent encounter. Together with the severed head placed inside a Louis Vuitton bag, the pair embarks on a road trip to find Chedeng's ex-girlfriend. And it is in this journey that they met my character, Piling, as well as of the character of the fake ex-girlfriend who is played by Mae Paner a.k.a. "Juana Change" who took home the Best Supporting Actress trophy.
The film is the directorial debut of "Patay Na Si Hesus" writer FatrickTabada and "Birdshot" writer and director Rae Red. What I am very much proud of this movie is the involvement of a number of actors and crew who are Cebuanos. Part of the success of the movie is very much attributed to their artistry and dedication.In fact, some scenes were shot in Cebu, as well as in Bohol. My part which originally should have been shot in Cebu but due to change of schedule, I was asked to go to Montalban, Rizal, with the two main characters, Chedeng and Apple. It was such an honor to be working with the beautiful women as well as the young men and women behind the camera. Thank you Ms. Bianca Balbuana, the producer, a Cebuana who is practically based in Manila, for believing the Cebuano talents.
With the dialogues that truly reflect the real characters, open our hearts to important lessons about genuine friendship and acceptance. It is in trying times that would test the abyss of friendship.
Both riding on a pump boat, Chedeng releases an old photo of her ex while Apple throws the severed head into the sea. Such poignant liberation concludes the main characters' longing for someone, and leaving behind a battered relationship respectively. Chedeng is no longer keen on reuniting with her ex-girlfriend who has already a significant other. Apple, on the other hand, ends her abusive relationship-a great relief in moving on despite the seemingly irreconcilable pasts. Because after all one could find succor in real friendship and inner peace.