Cinemalaya 2024: Review of LOVE CHILD: Adulting with Autism

August 6, 2024

Pre-law student Ayla (Jane Oineza) and aspiring filmmaker Paolo (RK Bagatsing) were college sweethearts. When Ayla had an unplanned pregnancy, they both stopped their studies to prove to their families that they can fend for themselves and their baby. Unfortunately, their son Kali (John Tyrron Ramos) was not yet talking at 4 years of age. It was only then that they consulted a doctor who confirmed that Kali had autism spectrum disorder. 

Ayla and Pao decided to move to Bacolod, accepting the offer of Ayla's retired aunt to live in her house free of charge. Enrolling Kali in the SPED program of a public school at first, they thought they had things all figured out. However, when inadequacies of the first school forced them to move Kali to a private school for special children, they began to experience the extreme strain on their limited incomes and their day-to-day lives. 

When it was revealed in the first scene that this film was going to be about raising an autistic child, you already knew by then that this was going to be a tearjerker -- and indeed it was. Raising a special child is a tremendous responsibility for any parent, even the best of them, ?They can experience insecurities about their inadequacies, and may want to give up, especially those who do not have an extended family to depend on for assistance.

This film is only the second feature film co-written and directed by Jonathan Jurilla. Above the weepy melodrama expected from this theme, the script, co-written with Arden Rod Condez and Ayu Martinez, expounded on prohibitive prices for the best SPED schools and one-on-one therapists. Too bad the story only started when Kali was four. It would have been more educational if much earlier signs were recognized and addressed (even as flashbacks). 

Oineza and Bagatsing had a realistic, refreshing chemistry between them, as partners who were cooperating towards the same noble goal. Oineza was at her best when Anya was getting insecure as she watched Kali following his shadow teacher (Marianel Tan) more, instead of her.  Bagatsing's Pao bravely kept a smile on his face, unmindful of the sacrifices he had gone through. His tearful scene at the Christmas party hit me hard. 7/10.