It’s the ultimate movie for travelers and wanderers. Ice Idanan’s Sakaling Hindi Makarating is the latest indie film to hit mainstream theaters, and it very much deserves to be.
Photo from Sakaling Hindi Makarating Facebook Page
The award-winning film Sakaling Hindi Makarating follows the story of Cielo (played by Alessandra de Rossi), a hurting artist who embarks on a journey across the Philippines after she receives postcard paintings from the mysterious ‘M’.
Photo from Sakaling Hindi Makarating Facebook Page
The film first premiered in early 2016 as an entry to last year’s CineFilipino Film Festival. It won first runner-up for Best Picture and won seven awards in total, including Best Director (Ice Idanan), Best Cinematography (Ice Idanan), and Best Actor (Pepe Herrera).
There were a lot of things that I loved about Sakaling Hindi Marating. For one, I really admired the film’s concept.
I loved that it’s a travel film. In this era of millennials going all over the world, this film will make you fall in love with home all over again.
(RELATED: Nagmahal, Nasaktan, Nag-travel: This Video Shows Us How To Move On In The Philippines)
Sakaling Hindi Makarating takes us to five of the most beautiful provinces in the Philippines. It offers an extraordinary visual experience with its excellent cinematography, complete with aerial shots of Zamboanga’s vinta regattas and Batanes’ seaside cliffs, to name a few.
Photo from Sakaling Hindi Makarating Facebook Page
It just shows that you really don’t need to look too far to satisfy your wanderlust. Sometimes all you’ve got to do is pack a bag and ride a bus in a Cubao terminal, or maybe ride a Roro.
Aside from the beautiful picturesque presentation of the Philippine islands, the film also features beautiful works of art by Thesa Tang.
Photo from Sakaling Hindi Makarating Facebook Page
The famous postcards that served as Cielo’s ‘map’ across the Philippines were painted by Kuki Ulpindo and Anina Rubio. Aside from these works, I admired how it was able to feature some traditional Filipino artworks such as the Moriones masks of Marinduque, and the vinta regatta of Zamboanga.
It’s a beautiful film, that’s for sure. I just think that the I’m-heartbroken-so-I’m-going-to-travel plot is getting a bit too clichéd. Surely, there must be some other reason to go travelling aside from soul-searching. But for this film, I’m actually willing to let it slide because the cinematography and the beauty of our country actually left me gaping at the screen—literally.
Photo from Sakaling Hindi Makarating Facebook Page
I also think that a lot more could’ve been done regarding showcasing the Philippine culture as Cielo travelled across the country. There might’ve been an attempt during the sequence concerning the traditional Moriones mask-making in Marinduque, but a lot more could’ve been said regarding the cultural significance of the vinta regattas, or even about the magical secret spots of Siquijor.
Photo from Sakaling Hindi Makarating Facebook Page
Since we’re going across the country, might as well learn about the culture of the different people groups in the country rather than just artistically capturing drone shots of the place.
But despite this, I can honestly say that Sakaling Hindi Makarating is a beautiful film. Very rarely will we see films that pays tribute to the Philippines. This film will have you putting Philippine provinces at the top of your must-see travel destinations, and will make you say, “Sana makarating din.”
Photo from Sakaling Hindi Makarating Facebook Page
“It’s a love letter to the Philippines,” Director Ice Idanan says. With her beautiful work of art, I’m sure the Philippines is blushing with pride.
This is definitely a must-watch for any Filipino who wants to fall back in love with home. Catch Sakaling Hindi Makarating in theatres today!
Check out the trailer below:
Sakaling Hindi Makarating
https://facebook.com/SakalingHindiMakarating
