Movie review: Xian Lim, Ryza Cenon prove dramatic chops in 'Sa Muli' | ABS-CBN

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Movie review: Xian Lim, Ryza Cenon prove dramatic chops in 'Sa Muli'

Movie review: Xian Lim, Ryza Cenon prove dramatic chops in 'Sa Muli'

Fred Hawson

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Ryza Cenon and Xian Lim in the reincarnation drama
Ryza Cenon and Xian Lim in the reincarnation drama 'Sa Muli.' Viva Films

Pep (Xian Lim) was a popular novelist who had written two best-selling romance books, both of which had a sad ending where the leading lady would die. At a book signing at an Art Fair, he caught a glimpse of a young lady Elly (Ryza Cenon), who was in a rush to leave after she shoplifted a book from a stall. When Pep saw Elly's face clearly for the first time when they sat across each other, tears uncontrollably fell from his eyes.

Pep befriended Elly and convinced her to go along for a road trip. In an old house in Taal, Batangas, he told her the ill-fated love story between Aurora and Victor from the year 1900. In an old church in Tayabas, Quezon, he told her the ill-fated love story between Belen and Nicolas in the year 1950. Pep intimated that he was the reincarnation of Victor and Nicolas, while Elly was the reincarnation of Aurora and Belen.

Writer-director Fifth Solomon brought us along to two Southern Tagalog towns plus Manila, as well as to two years in the past plus the present. This varied time frame of this story gave Solomon's camera, production design, costume, hair and makeup crews golden opportunities to recreate those periods realistically to draw the audience in. Later, there would even be an epilogue that would propel the story 40 more years into the future.

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There is no doubting the dramatic chops of both Xian Lim and Ryza Cenon. They looked good together, especially in the two past time periods they appeared in, and pretty much nailed their period styling and romantic scenes. The present day scenes tended to more awkward because of some comedy had been forced in to liven things up. While Cenon is more at ease with quips, Lim had to resort to distractingly cheesy, out-of-place gimmicks.

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The script can sometimes feel over-wrought especially in the over-long third act, which felt like Solomon was at a loss on how to end it. Furthermore, he used a staring contest to bookend the story did not feel realistic at all. Was this ever a thing? What was the point of this activity anyway? How could it supposedly "inspire" someone? This was a major plot element yet so contrived. Solomon could have elaborated on it more to make it more relatable. 6/10.

This review was originally published in the author's blog, "Fred Said."

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​Happening this weekend: CCP's Pasinaya multi-arts festival

​Happening this weekend: CCP's Pasinaya multi-arts festival

ABS-CBN News

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ACTS Manila at Pasinaya 2024. HandoutACTS Manila at Pasinaya 2024. Handout

The Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) is kicking off the 2025 edition of its open house festival this weekend. 

Dubbed the country's largest multi-arts festival, Pasinaya will be held from February 1 to 25 in different venues across Metro Manila:

- CCP Front Lawn: Performances by Likhang Sining Dance Company, Marikina Dance Guild, Kalilayan Folkloric Group, and Barangay Ukulele

- CCP Liwasang Kalikhasan: Performances by Kapisanan ng Diwa at Panitik, MAMULAT of the Philippine Normal University, Laya Philippines, Kapisanan ng mga Mag-aaral na Manunulat sa Pilipino, Sintalab, Ang Pinoy Storytellers, and Samahang Lazaro Francisco

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- Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez (TIG) Auditorium and Parking Area: Screenings of Gawad Alternatibo and Cinemalaya films, Tanghalang Pilipino's "Pingkian Isang Musikal," Philippine Educational Theater Association's "Walang Aray," and other plays 

- TIG Basement: "Palaro" live gameplay demos, tournaments, and simulation by CCP Game and Comics Development grantees

- Aliw Theater: Performances by Ballet Philippines, Philippine Suzuki Youth Orchestra, Philippine Ballet Theater, Bayanihan, and Ramon Obusan Folkloric Group 

- Circuit Makati: Performances by Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, Himig Rizalia of Rizal Technological University, Sandiwang Kayumanggi Folk Dance Troupe, Nueva Ecija's Bungkos Palay Performing Arts Foundation, Ben Marasigan, and Elijah Lunaria

- Metropolitan Theater: Performances by Alice Reyes Dance Philippines, Philippine Madrigal Singers, Philippine High School for the Arts' Sanghiyas Pangkat Mananayaw, Musika Ibarang, and Lipa Actors Company

- Fort Santiago: UST Salinggawi, Timoteo Paez Elementary School Rondalla, SPA Bataan National High School, Indak Kultura Dance Company, and Philippine Baranggay Folk Dance Troupe

- Baluarte San Diego: Adamson Dance Company, Komedya ng Don Galo, Koro Ilustrado, Sing Philippines Youth Choir, and Eastern Chamber Singers

On top of these, Pasinaya will also offer festival goers a hop-on, hop-off tour in partnership with galleries and museums around Manila. There will be performances of varying art forms such as chamber music, puppet theater, and dances. 

"The CCP continuously creates more opportunities for all Filipino artists to showcase their talents to a wider audience," CCP vice president and artistic director Dennis Marasigan said in a statement. 

"While we pursue our vision of cultivating and enhancing appreciation of Philippine arts, we also give the public free opportunities to experience exceptional artistic performances that can inspire and change their lives," he added. 

More details about Pasinaya are available on CCP's website and social media pages.

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