Article by: Michaela Acero
Attention, all Filipino movie (and Donny Pangilinan) fans! Avid fans of Donny know that he recently made his first ever movie appearance as Bobby in Walwal, a Regal Entertainment film directed by Joey Reyes. Well, I cam to find that it wasn’t just entertaining, but pretty insightful, as well.
4 Reasons Why I Enjoyed Donny Pangilinan’s Debut Movie “Walwal”
4. Walwal focuses on relevant youth issues.
Being a 21st century teen movie, it’s basically a requirement to be “woke”. Despite its quirky title (which is another term for lasingan or to get drunk/ let loose), Walwal doesn’t disappoint. The movie set out not just to tackle the existential crises that teenagers stereotypically have, but also the age-old struggles of parent-child relationships and the never-ending grind to be “successful” in one’s endeavors. It’s also a meaningful depiction of the love a barkada has for each other, and how support doesn’t stop with mere words.
3. The movie features fresh and young talent.
I personally don’t enjoy keeping up with local artistas because of how actors and actresses tend to be packaged into “love teams”. Well, “Walwal” doesn’t play too heavily into that. Sure, 3 out of the 4 “Walwal boys” end up having girlfriends by the end of the film, but these pairings aren’t the central focus of the plot. Through “Walwal”, I got to witness heartfelt performances by Elmo Magalona, Kiko Estrada, Jerome Ponce, Devon Seron, and Donny Pangilinan that really showcased many different levels.
2. The characters and their struggles are relatable.
Being almost of the same age as the characters in the movie, I found myself nodding along to some of the lines in the film. The characters and struggles felt familiar. Their personalities were believable. Each character wasn’t just one-dimensional. Personally, one of my favorite characters was Ruby (played by Kisses Delavin), a very lively girl who isn’t afraid of being herself. She reminded me of the person I want to be in the world: someone who doesn’t worry about what others think and fully embraces herself and all of her quirks.
1. You may spot some familiar places.
Last but not least, you may be pleasantly surprised to find some familiar places in the film! The guys attend De La Salle College of St. Benilde, so there are shots of the school all throughout the movie. They also visit popular areas around Metro Manila, so keep your eyes peeled for the spots you may have been to before!
WALWAL. It has begun. pic.twitter.com/gH1xtW1BSJ
— Joey Javier Reyes (@DirekJoey) May 14, 2018
Overall, I would say that Walwal is a must-see for teens and adults alike. It sheds light on the life and conflicts of a Filipino millennial. One thing’s for sure: you’ll learn and be entertained by this movie. You might even get a new celeb crush.
Have you seen Walwal?
