5 Reasons Why "Love Child" Is a Must-Watch Filipino Film

“Rom-com pa ba ito, Pao?’’ 

That was the pensive question that Ayla, Jane Oineza’s character, painfully asked her partner Paolo (RK Bagatsing) when faced with trying moments raising their son with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). With this tone, one can look forward to a film that would make you reflect on several life choices and circumstances.

Make no mistake, Love Child is not a typical Filipino film peppered with romantic clichés and hugot dialogues. It’s a film that disturbingly feels so real一it feels like you’re watching the life of someone you know unfold. 

Love Child, a film by Jonathan Jurilla, follows the story of a young couple: Ayla, an aspiring lawyer who works as a virtual assistant, and Paolo, an aspiring filmmaker. They have to face the trials of unplanned pregnancy and the unexpected news of learning that their four-year-old son, Kali (John Tyrron Ramos), is diagnosed with autism. With that news, the college sweethearts navigate the complexities of dealing with the situation as it challenges the state of their relationship, the current family setup, and even their day-to-day lives.

The film was also an official entry to the 2024 Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival with a screenplay written by Arden Rod Condez, Arianna Martinez, and Angel Benjamin. The original script for Love Child, inspired by Jurilla’s experience with his son’s autism, won first place in the Dulang Pampelikula category of the 71st Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature.

Metro.Style was able to catch Star Magic’s special screening of Love Child which also served as a tribute to the late Regal matriarch, Mother Lily Monteverde. Regal Entertainment and Southern Lantern Studios co-produced the film. 

We count the reasons why this film should be on your current “watch list.” 

The onscreen chemistry between RK and Jane is a significant factor in the film. It wasn’t just the believable romance that real-life couple RK and Jane could evoke in the film, but you could actually witness the greatness of their acting together as they feed off each other’s acting prowess. It helps that the lines in the script sounded so natural and both of them delivered those lines, be it the casual lines or the melodramatic ones, flawlessly.

See the beauty of Negros Occidental. Love Child is also some sort of a love note to the beauty of Negros Occidental. In the film, the young couple moved to Bacolod so they could live in a relative’s home for free. The film showcased the quiet, old-worldly, and classic beauty of Bacolod, Silay, and Talisay. Negros Occidental is apparently the home province of the film’s director Jonathan Jurilla.

It tackles parenting and raising a child with ASD. Parenting is challenging enough but to be a parent to a child with special needs? It’s a whole new and different ballgame. The scene where Ayla questions their readiness as parents and even to the extent of asking if they will ever be the right parents to someone like Kali was extremely heartfelt, you can feel the character’s pain of self-doubt, exhaustion, and restlessness as a viewer.

It’s not afraid to showcase realities and difficulties. The film doesn’t shy away from dealing with one of the harshest realities of raising a child in the autism spectrum: figuring things out on how to help your child achieve progress. The SPED program at public school may be helpful but it could feel like it’s just not enough so parents try to expand their options but it comes with a hefty price tag. Ayla and Paolo translated onscreen the financial challenges and the emotional and physical exhaustion that parents who have children with ASD go through.

It highlights the beauty of genuine love, forgiveness, and sacrifice. It takes a village to raise a child and any couple should realize that accepting help is part of it. The film expertly shows that all the hard work and extreme efforts of parents, especially with a child with ASD, can take its toll. But it’s never a sin to admit exhaustion, wave the white flag, accept support from those who are willing to help, and make necessary sacrifices for the good of the family.

Love Child is a tearjerker but also a heartwarming film that doubles as an advocacy for those dealing with autism. In the Cinemalaya Director’s Statement, Jonathan Jurilla shares his thoughts about the project: “My son, Oyen, was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) at age two. For the past 13 years, my family and I have dedicated ourselves to addressing his condition, which has tested our commitment, stretched our capabilities, and redefined our love. This journey has profoundly impacted our careers and perspectives on life. Despite ASD affecting one in every 100 Filipinos, misconceptions persist. With this film, I aim to raise awareness about ASD, emphasizing that it is not an illness but a human condition requiring deep social understanding. It affects not just the individual but their entire family, demanding collective efforts and government support. This film is a legacy for Oyen and all individuals with special needs.”

A Ticket to Hope: Special screening of Love Child is happening on September 21, 2024, Saturday , 6PM, Cinema 1, SM Marikina. All proceeds will go towards funding therapy sessions for families in need. To purchase your ticket, message them on their Facebook Page today!

Lead photo from @regalfilms50