Jason Paul Laxamana’s “100 Tula Para Kay Stella” looks like it is the only movie in the Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino lineup that aims to entice the rom-com crowd. I thought I would be naturally repulsed, even with its premise of love and literature, but it should be noted that it is more than that. Framed by early 2000’s college academic years, the story revolves around JC Santos’ Fidel, who has a speech impediment and who falls for the devil-may-care attitude of Bela Padilla's Stella. He begins to write poetry and plans to gift her with a compilation of his works. Although the titular 100 poems leave a lot to be desired and could’ve been a chance to showcase our country’s rich verse literature, the device works in that it mirrors the ups and downs of the plot (albeit too conveniently). Winning someone with poetry seems quaint at this day and age (it doesn’t work, trust me), a formula probably culled from old Hollywood romantic comedies, but you could really dismiss this complaint because of the chemistry of the two leads. Bela Padilla is that type of actress who can embody a character without the usual self-awareness that plagues her contemporary. In this film, she truly is Stella—pained but passionate, indecisive but headstrong—and you'll understand why JC Santos’ naive Fidel would go to great lengths to win her despite her flaws. And above all, one thing that separates this movie from the rest of the millennial love stories out there is this: Just like poetry, its emotions are honest and raw, and what we may learn from them may not necessarily be what we want to have. The truth does not only reveal; it also hurts.
[ photo borrowed from this site ]
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