Before I can even say, “Thank you very much for the wonderful question,” and provide an answer to it, the truth of the matter is that major commercial Filipino films were a no-show in all cinemas. What we have now are the films in competition currently showing in the 22nd edition of Cinemalaya. They are the only available Filipino motion picture outputs in selected movie houses.

Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey, with a run that started in Manila on 15 July, is still in cinemas. As expected, the majority who watched it cannot seem to get enough of the glory that was Grecian literature and history. Critical raves plus positive word of mouth equal staying alive in cinemas.

Fourteen days after, Destin Daniel Cretton’s Spider-Man: A Brand New Day slings its way into Philippine cinemas and the viewing public’s consciousness. It is now the biggest-earning Hollywood film to date, and with its inspired narrative and Tom Holland’s embraceable and fit body, Spidey and his becoming an adult is definite in all the mall cinemas for a month or even more.

The only Filipino film which has a theatrical release this 26 August is Rafael Manuel’s Filipiniana, which is Cinemalaya’s closing film on 18 August.

Touched

A movie about this obsession with preserving one’s virginity, betrayal, friendship, forgiveness and forgetting, and finding what matters to you as a woman and a person — these and many more are all in Ivan Andrew Payawal’s Saving Cherry. Co-written by Payawal and Fatrick Tabada, the film is produced by Regal Entertainment.

“Portraying her was a freeing and liberating experience,” said Forteza about her role. “She is wild, yes, but she has depth and a purpose. It’s a major milestone for me since I have not done a character like this in all my TV roles and other movies.”

On actors Khalil Ramos (who plays Jude, Cherry’s cheating fiancé) and JC Alcantara (Josh), Forteza said: “Khalil is an ideal leading man. Decent, professional and a true gentleman on the set. He is truly wonderful, and I like the fact that he is as hungry to do good work as I am.”

On Alcantara, Forteza said: “This is not the first time that we have worked together. We starred in a horror movie then, and now we are in this together. I have experienced again that JC is such a giving actor. You all know that acting is reacting. With him and in the scenes we are in, it was always give and take, thus making scenes easier. The mutual respect is always there, as well as the admiration of each other’s talents. Nakakatuwa rin na we share a dynamic on-screen chemistry.”

“She was my top-of-mind choice,” director Payawal answered when asked why Forteza is the lead actress of his new movie. “She was the person I was thinking of while I was in the writing process of the script. I knew she possessed the exact talent and energy that the character needed, and she was perfect as Cherry.”

Savior

What the Forteza-led movie offers are hope and promise. To make fresh the raunchy and unapologetic kind of comedy that these supposedly politically correct and progressive times frown upon is set to tickle and arouse the curiosity of

many, thus promising box-office gold and hope.

Everyone acknowledges that Forteza is one of her generation’s better actresses, and by being Cherry, where she plays against stereotype, this biggest and most mature role to date offers the paying crowd a Barbie they have never seen before. They will give her the stamp of approval and vote of confidence she richly deserves.

Forteza, Ramos and Alcantara are joined by Mika Salamanca, Mikee Quintos, AC Bonifacio and Sassa Gurl (real name: Felix Petate), giving a whole new level and stellar quality to the powerhouse ensemble.

Its biggest hook and seduction is its grounded narrative. It maintains a relatable, emotional foundation that highlights the many shades of right and wrong, discovery, deliverance and growth, all packaged and wrapped in a laugh-out-loud comedy.

Saving Cherry is slated to show on 2 September in cinemas nationwide.