TBA Studios, the same production outfit that brought Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral and I’m Drunk, I Love You to mainstream audience, is banking on the story of millennial characters in Tayo Sa Huling Buwan Ng Taon, a romantic drama about falling in love and finding yourself—and how, sometimes, those two may not mix well together.
It tells the story of aspiring filmmaker Sam (Nicco Manalo) and writer Isa (Emmanuelle Vera), former lovers who meet each other five years after their break-up. They are now both with different partners: Sam with his co-teacher, nurturing Anna (Anna Luna), and Isa with Frank (Alex Medina), a childhood friend who is willing to give up everything for her.
Sam and Isa try to be friends and attempt to find themselves in the realm of their respective romantic partners. But in the process, what they discover instead is pain and uncertainty as they come to terms with their feelings for each other and everyone around them.
“The story is very relatable especially to those people who fall in the millennial and Gen Z are bracket. They might find the characters in the movie relatable because of the situation that they are in. Basically, just like the prequel, it has the struggles most millennials go through,” Nicco said in a brief chat with some members of the entertainment press.
The indie actor was referring to Nestor Abrogena’s film, which eventually became a cult favorite, Ang Kwento Nating Dalawa. Originally meant to be a student short film, Ang Kwento Nating Dalawa became a full-length movie that premiered in the 2015 World Premieres Festival in Pasay City. Through subsequent screenings in schools and micro-cinemas in Metro Manila, the movie found a devout audience that led it to having a successful commercial run in 2016.
The sequel, on the other hand, is an answered prayer for fans and followers who have been waiting for director Abrogena’s next romantic film opus.
More than a your usual love story, Tayo Sa Huling Buwan Ng Taon offers an emotional portrayal of love among people and couples who are still trying to figure out life—and themselves. The characters are earnest yet flawed, and the movie offers moments that are equal parts quiet, realistic and intense, filled with big emotions that mirror contemporary love.
“For some reasons, a lot of young moviegoers like that style…a quiet film and yet there are so many things going on. And I think that’s how the prequel found its success and we hope Tayo Sa Huling Buwan Ng Taon would have the same kind of reception.” Nicco implied.
Nicco has proven his mettle as actor in stage musicals and plays such as Mula Sa Buwan and Ang Huling El Bimbo and movies such as Gusto Kita With All My Hypothalamus. But his role as Sam in the movie is perhaps his favorite among those he has portrayed.
“Of all the characters that I played, dito talaga makikita si Nicco not just as an actor but also as a person. Kung ano yung learnings namin sa four years na lumipas, makikita yun sa pelikula. It really made the film and its theme of finding yourself after getting lost authentic and real,” he explained.
Nicco and Vera, who also starred in Ang Kwento Nating Dalawa, reunite in Tayo Sa Huling Buwan Ng Taon.
“I have high hopes that the movie will touch many people, that it will resonate with Filipinos. Because what we are doing is just the regular life of ordinary people who are flawed. There’s no huge plot twists. It is just regular lives. I feel like Filipinos should watch because they can identify with the film,” the singer actress, who now goes by her music artist name Vera, said.
Tayo Sa Huling Buwan Ng Taon also boasts of a stellar, exciting soundtrack. The film’s main theme song is December Avenue’s Huling Sandali, which was specifically written and made for the film. The song trended online within the first 24-hour of its release. Its lyric video posted on December Avenue’s Youtube channel has already garnered almost five million views.
Other songs featured in the movie include Gabby Alipe’s acoustic version of the Urbandub classic The Fight is Over and Panahon by up-and-coming singer Elle Sebastian.
Produced by TBA Studios, Tayo Sa Huling Buwan Ng Taon opens in theaters nationwide on May 8.
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