If you like films that dissect the intricacies of romance, Viva’s “Men Are From QC, Women Are From Alabang” is right up your alley.
No, it is not a relationship guide book like John Gray’s “Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus.”
It is the story of Tino and Aica (Marco Gallo and Heaven Peralejo, respectively), yuppies who will find love in each others’ arms despite their seeming disparity.
Tino is silent, introspective. He likes to take things easy.
Aica is a workaholic, eager-to-please, a go-getter.
Tino is all about living the dream.
Aica is only too willing to set it aside for her family.
Opposites attract?
Not exactly.
While both truly love each other, the differences by which they go about handling the realities of life and living, will ultimately tear them apart.
The thing though is, where Tino is only too eager to fight for their love, Aica is almost always ready to give it all up.
Why?
Tino looks forward to a bright future for them together, but Aica exists only in the here and now: Will I get the promotion? Do we have enough money to pay pending bills?
Should we consider Aica the bad guy here?
It may seem so but according to the film, we have to understand and respect where she is coming from. She is unhappy for a reason. She is, after all, her family’s breadwinner. She has to work hard for her sister and mother given the absence of her father.
So are we to blame Tino for trying too hard to rope Aica in and save their relationship?
The film suggests that Tino should just let Aica go.
He should just let Aica find herself first and if he is lucky enough to bump into her someday, somehow, when she is already err, “centered,” then, and only then, should he pursue her.
As convoluted if, at times, actually distressing, as it all may seem, the film is, no doubt, quite the vehicle for Marco and Heaven, inasmuch as it allowed both to showcase their newfound range as actors.
Directed by Gino M. Santos, “Men are from QC, women are from Alabang” is now in theaters.
