By NEIL RAMOS
“Firefly,” GMA Public Affairs and GMA Pictures’ flagship movie, tug at the heartstrings.
We were able to catch a preview recently and suffice it to say film director Zig Dulay ticked the right boxes, allowing for a touching experience that actually left some of us in tears.
Set in 1999, “Firefly” is a coming-of-age road trip drama about a young boy in search of a mythical island that his mom told him about in one of her many bedtime stories.
The mom, Elay (Alessandra de Rossi) tells her son Tonton (Euwenn Mikaell) that the island actually exists and that there, he could ask and fulfill any wish.
Using the clues he believes his mother left behind, Tonton makes the long journey to the island.
Along the way he meets three strangers who will reluctantly accompany him in his quest.
Will they succeed?
Writer Angeli Atienza reveals the story was inspired by her own experiences as a mom.
“As a mother, lagi mong iniisip kung ano yung iiwan mo sa mga anak mo. Kung ano yung kakapitan nila kapag nawala ka. Na-realize ko yan sa anak ko kasi naniniwala siya kahit ano ang sabihin ko. So dapat there’s something to inspire and arm your children kapag sila na lang,” she explained.
Alessandra sees no problem playing a mom in the film.
She says, “Matagal ko nang gustong gumawa ng pelikula na may bida na bata na touching at heartwarming. So sabi ko, perfect ito. Saka maganda talaga yung kuwento.”
Eager for a movie about love, courage, hope?
“Firefly,” which also features Cherry Pie Picache, Epy Quizon, Yayo Aguila, Miguel Tanfelix, Ysabel Ortega, Max Collins, Kokoy de Santos and Dingdong Dantes, opens in cinemas on Dec. 25 as part of this year’s Metro Manila Film Festival.
