courtesy of ericksalud

How can you not be amused with a movie title like “Ligo Na U, Lapit Na Me” (Star-Crossed Love) which literally translates to English as “You Take A Shower, I’m Already Near”? Actually, this is the film adaptation of Eros S. Atalia’s popular paperback in the vernacular with the same title, as scripted by Jerry Gracio. And if I’m not mistaken, this is the first time in Cinemalaya that a competing entry is based on a previously-published novel.

For the clueless, here’s the synopsis of this work by Director Erick Salud as posted in the Cinemalaya website:

Karl Vladimir Lennon J. Villalobos, aka Intoy, is secretly in love with his friend Jenny, the most beautiful girl in the campus. Jenny is rich and quirky; Intoy is street-smart and ordinary. But this friendship is not simple, since Jenny has bestowed on Intoy some perks and privileges, including going to bed with her on the condition that they will not fall in love with each other. Before graduation, Intoy feels that he has to shed his pretensions of being astig and finally profess his love for Jenny. But he is devastated to learn that Jenny is pregnant. Worse, Jenny tells him: “Don’t worry, this is not yours.” Based on the bestselling novel of Eros S. Atalia, Ligo na U, Lapit na Me is an examination of postmodern love and relationship and the way this generation deals with their love and fear.

Some people might conclude that this film is the most lightweight in the New Breed section of Cinemalaya 2011, given its’ simple plot that reminds you of stories in local teleseryes or drama anthologies. On the contrary, I reckon that Director Erick Salud could have been challenged to come up with something that rises above its’ perceived ordinariness. And this is the main reason why I am looking forward to watching his output. Part of the fun in seeing festival movies is not intellectualizing too much on the content of each work, but discovering new ways in telling a story, however overly-familiar the synopsis is at first look.

“Ligo Na U, Lapit Na Me” stars Indie darling Mercedes Cabral and actor Edgar Allan Guzman, with a slew of already known TV staples like Mel Kimura, Beverly Salviejo, Malouh Crisologo, Lucky Mark Mercado, Joseph Bitangcol, Simon Ibarra and Shalala. It will start showing during Cinemalaya 2011 from July 15-24.

Abangan! Ipon Na U, Lapit Na ‘To! 😉