Popoy and Basha have been together all their lives. Their love story started when they met as students in the university. Their families loved them, they shared friends, they eventually worked in the same firm and their life plans revolved around each other. There is no Popoy without a Basha and vice versa. They were certain that they will get married someday and build a home together. Everything seems perfect. At least that’s what Popoy thinks.
But all the planning and dreaming eventually took a toll on Basha. Past issues and current controversies suddenly become the main fare in what would have been a routine lunch date. In their first major fight in over five years, Popoy and Basha begin their heart-rending struggle whether to hold on or to move on.
Cast & Crew:
John Lloyd Cruz
...
Popoy Gonzalezs
Bea Alonzo
...
Basha Eugenio
Derek Ramsay
...
Mark
Maja Salvador
...
Trisha
Dimples Romana
...
Krizzy
James Blanco
...
Kenneth
Janus del Prado
...
Chinno
Ahron Villena
...
JP
Beatriz Saw
...
Anj
Nikki Gil
...
Helen
Nanette Inventor
...
Nanay Edith
Denise Joaquin
Al Tantay
...
Tito Willie
Melissa Mendez
...
Mommy Elvie
Shamaine Buencamino
...
Mommy Rose
Bodjie Pascua
...
Sir Bert
Robert Woods
...
Francis
Lauren Young
...
Bernice
Jodell Stasic
...
Kynan
Janet Dangcalan
...
Roselle
Dorcas Gazelle Canlas
...
Cathy (as Gazelle Canlas)
Malaya Lewandowski
...
Beng
Panying Limon
...
Panying
Jethro Manego
...
Officemate
Gerry Bricenio
...
Officemate
Cris Aquino
...
Officemate
Barry Gonzales
...
Officemate
Raymond Diamzon
...
Officemate
Jose Jardinazo
...
Foreman (as Joe Jardinazo)
Directed by
Cathy Garcia-Molina
Writing credits
Vanessa Valdez
(story and screenplay)
Carmi Raymundo
(story and screenplay)
Produced by
Elma S. Medua
....
producer
Carmi Raymundo
....
associate producer
Charo Santos-Concio
....
executive producer
Malou N. Santos
....
executive producer
Cinematography by
Manuel Teehankee
(director of photography)
Film Editing by
Marya Ignacio
Production Design by
Elfren Vibar
Sound Department
Addis Tabong
....
sound engineer (as Addiss Tabong)
Music Department
Jessie Lasaten
....
musical director
Other crew
Roxy A. Liquigan
....
adsprom and publicity
Production by: ABS-CBN Film Productions
Star Cinema Productions
Basha (Bea Alonso) is an architect in the same firm as her fiancé Popoy (John Lloyd Cruz), who is an engineer. They belong to the same close-knit group of friends and have been together for five years until Basha gets fed up with Popoy's controlling but well-meaning ways and opts out of the relationship, building a new life for herself. Popoy goes on self-destruct mode but is later able to recuperate in the kind arms of Trisha (Maja Salvador). Basha realizes that he wants him back but things have already gotten too complicated.
Executed Hollywood-style, One More Chance would have ended when the leads parted ways while revisiting their alma mater, leaving it up to the audience what happens next. The Hong Kong version would have ended with everyone dead. But since this is a Filipino movie, you pretty much know how this ends that won't merit a spoiler warning.
And so movie theaters were packed, and rightfully so! I admittedly didn't expect much of this movie, so it was a pleasant surprise to see a local romantic comedy that delivers. I've never seen a Bea-John Lloyd starrer, but now I can agree with the general populace that the two have undeniable chemistry and are pretty natural actors. Despite John Lloyd not up to par in the looks department as Bea, he is likable, charismatic and adds sincerity to his role. Bea complements and does not overshadow John Lloyd despite her beauty because she doesn't seem too uptight about it; so, she is able to become the character she plays. The supporting cast, especially Salvador and the impossibly hot Derek Ramsay, helped fortify the story.
Without a doubt, it was Popoy's bitter line, "You had me at my best; she loved me at my worst" that resonated with all those who has ever had their heart broken that filled the theaters; so memorable, it could probably even join the ranks of immortal lines ever uttered in Pinoy movies. While the trailer pretty much shows the entire movie, more welcome surprises await moviegoers as more unforgettable scenes and power lines are revealed. Sure, it's not original (note the rip-off/homage to Romeo+Juliet's Leo Dicaprio and Claire Danes' under-the-sheets action), and it had its melodramatic moments, but director Cathy Garcia-Molina injects humor in the nick of time.
One More Chance is one good reason Pinoys should give the pelikulang Pinoy another chance at redeeming itself in its own context, on its own terms, without having to show the seedy side of Manila just to be taken seriously.
