PAGASA advised everyone to stay in their homes for the weekend since Bagyong Pepeng is about to invade the country. However, I went out to use my gift certificate from a Spa center in The Podium and went straight to SM Megamall to watch a movie with Maire.

Before going out, Maire invited me to watch the independent film ‘A Journey Home‘. She said a friend gave her two premiere night tickets. As a certified Toni Gonzaga fan, I accepted the invitation. 😀

When we reached the venue, we saw Toni Gonzaga, Direk Paul Soriano and Joem Bascon outside the cinema. Toni looked simple yet sophisticated (love her shoes!). She and Direk Paul look good together and you can really see that they’re a nice couple. I love Joem Bascon’s badboy look. The last time I saw him was way back in 2007, where he was still a part of the gag show Let’s Go.

Here’s the Full Trailer of A Journey Home:

A Journey Home is a movie about a prodigal father named Dante (Soliman Cruz), who went back to the country after twenty years of working from home. He went back with no job and no family in Pampanga. While looking for a possible job at the classified ads section of a newspaper, he came across a familiar name at the orbituaries. It happened that his wife named Vangie passed away. He is hesitant to visit the wake because he is worried on how his children Raffy (Joem Bascon) and Kristine (Athena Tibi) will react upon seeing him after twenty years of abandonment.

Raffy (Joem Bascon) is married to Gayle (Toni Gonzaga). Raffy carried the bitterness towards his father and refused to believe him. Gayle, his ever-supportive wife tried her best to be a good wife and mother to their children. She got pregnant when she was seventeen years old but with the Guidance of the Lord, she learned to forgive and move on.

Though some might think that the film is a heavy drama movie, it’s not. I’d rather describe it as ‘heart-warming’. Soliman Cruz was able to deliver his lines well and he is funny most of the time. Alam mo naman ang pinoy, nagpapatawa pa rin kahit nuknukan na ng problema sa buhay.

I am surprised upon learning that Toni Gonzaga accepted the role. We loved her in some of Star Cinema’s romantic-comedies, but this one is her best so far. Being a mom to a 13 year old and 5 year old in a well-written and directed movie. Two Thumbs up for Toni!

Joem Bascon is definitely one of our best actors today. Try to watch the film and you can attest that he is more than just a Piolo Pascual look-alike.

Also included in the film are John Manalo (of Goin’ Bulilit fame… he’s a teenager now!) , Chrisha Canete (Cha-Cha and Tia Pusit.

What are some of the lessons learned from the film?

• Say Sorry

• Learn to Forgive and Move On
• It’s never too late to seek for forgiveness
• Before you seek forgiveness to someone, learn to forgive yourself first
• Nothing is impossible with the Lord

So how is Direk Paul Soriano as a director? Hmmm… For a debut film, I can say that he is really good especially when it comes to the details and correct angles. He was able to bring out the best in all the actors especially to the lead stars Soliman Cruz, Joem Bascon and girlfriend Toni Gonzaga.

The movie was produced by Jubilee Evangelical Church – Youth for Christ ministry for their 10th anniversary. I am not really sure if they’re having a regular showing for the film, but if you get the chance to pass by a movie house and you see this, i recommend you to invest Php 150 for this movie. You’d end up laughing and crying in some scenes.

After watching the movie, we went straight to Krispy Kreme SM Megamall and the manager recognized me LOL. We ended up drinking our free mocha and two donuts. 😀

I am not a religious person, but I did really appreciate this film. Congratulations to all the cast and crew members of this film! MORE! 😀