Super-typhoon Trudis had ravaged the town of Divilacan in Isabela province. The four Datul brothers were sent to stay at their Lolo Cesar's (Nanding Josef) farm in Pampanga. The boys had a makeshift band among themselves, performing original songs written by second brother Philip (Nikko Natividad). Eldest Elias (Vance Larena) and youngest Sonny (Mackie Empuerto) sang vocals, while third brother Joey (Ryle Santiago) played guitar.
One night, before they sang at the town fiesta, the emcee made up the name "Bakwit Boys" for them, because of their evacuee status. Their signature song "Ligtas Ka Na" incidentally caught the attention of Rose (Devon Seron), a pretty, kind, rich girl who was also very much into music herself. She believed in the talent of the boys so much that she helped them to get their songs on the radio. However, corrupt politics still got in the way of the ideal picture.
Nikko Natividad and Ryle Santiago are both members of the popular Hashtags boy group from the lunchtime variety show "Showtime." They break away from their dance routines they do on TV to show off their talents in singing and acting in this their first movie roles. As carefree Joey, Santiago showed off his guitar skills and comic timing. As sensitive Philip, Natividad was given a showier role that lent towards quiet drama and romantic thrill. He also got to croon the film's love theme "Tayong Dalawa" (albeit still in a draft version).
Mackie Empuerto is riding the crest of the international popularity of the TNT Boys vocal group whose videos from "Little Big Shots" and "Your Face Sounds Familiar - Kids" have gone viral all over the world. As the adorable kid Sonny, Empuerto got to showcase some of his awesome skill in doing vocal runs in his singing. This little guy also showed promise as an empathetic dramatic actor as his scenes will make you want to hug and comfort him.
For most viewers, theater actor Vance Larena is the unfamiliar element in this film since his other three co-stars are already very well-known on TV with many fans. Larena had more to prove to the audience that he deserved to be that fourth Bakwit Boy. As Elias, Larena effectively showed a balance between being strict, pragmatic eldest over his brothers with his devotion and concern for them. By the time he rocked that powerful solo song number "Kung Di Ikaw" at Ariel's (Eagle Riggs) bar where he worked as a waiter, Larena will surely have won over his own fans as well.
Devon Seron displayed remarkable restraint in essaying the private conflicts that her character Rose was feeling inside her. Aside from dramatic chops, Seron also wowed me with her guitar playing and singing prowess in her three solo spot numbers: "Fiona" (sung in an open field), "Patibong" (sung in a guitar shop) and "High on You" (sung in her bedroom). The first two songs have pop versions by Mark Oblea and Jay-R respectively, but I thought Seron's OST versions are radio-ready in themselves.
Nanding Josef played their stern grandfather Cesar, who turned out to be a well-regarded "polosador" or singer of traditional Kapampangan songs in their town. Alma Concepcion played Rose's mother Camia, a practical woman with practical opinions. Peruvian-Japanese actor Sebastian Castro played radio DJ Oscar, while Albie Casino played recording studio technician Kenneth, both from Rose's former band "Chubby Singson" in college. In cameo roles were Menggie Cobarrubias (as a NPA rebel Ka Melchor), Cai Cortez (as a radio executive Ms. Stacey) and Kiray Celis (as bar girl Tanya). (I was sort of waiting for a couple of big-name stars to show up in cameo as the parents of the good-looking quartet, but alas, that did not turn out as I expected.)
Jason Paul Laxamana's script worked in its simplicity of story and depth of message about brotherhood, love of music, and moving on from adversity. As director, Laxamana knew how to play up the assets of his attractive cast to whet his audience's excitement. The songs of Tarlac-based composer Jhaye Cura all had catchy tunes and dreamy lyrics, right up the alley of millennial pop music lovers. Technical work by cinematographer / editor Mai Calapardo, production designer Lars Magbanua and music scorer Pau Protacio all contributed to the homey rustic feel of the film. These made "Bakwit Boys" a heartwarming winner in my book. 8/10.
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