British-Filipina newcomer Geraldine Jennings makes her screen debut in Isla Babuyan, a family drama with campy turns and daring scenes that earned it an R-18 rating from the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB).
Jennings admitted the rating caught her off guard. “When we first heard about it, of course, it was a bit disappointing. My first reaction was, ‘R18, really? Are they sure they watched the same movie?’” she said during the film’s press premiere. “But R18 doesn’t always mean scandalous. Sometimes it just means real and relevant. And that’s what this film is for sure.”
The film, directed by Jose Abdel Langit, written by Jessie Villabrille, and produced by Solid Gold Entertainment, opens Oct. 1 exclusively at Robinsons Movieworld cinemas.
The story follows Anastasia (Jennings), who returns to the island where her mother, Rose (Lotlot de Leon), runs a resort named Paraiso. Raised in the United Kingdom by a British father and Filipina mother, Anastasia seeks to reconnect with her roots while dealing with strained family ties.
On the island, she meets friends, experiences first love, and confronts conflicts that test her relationship with her mother. Jameson Blake plays Jordan, who shows interest in Anastasia. Dave Bornea’s Caloy is written as her long-time admirer, while James Blanco portrays David, linked to Rose in a complicated way. Nathalie Hart and Paolo Gumabao appear as Margaux and Javier, with Gumabao drawing notice for a nude scene.
Jennings said that despite such moments, the film is family-oriented. “It also tackles the relationship between a mother and daughter,” she said.
The script ties together several arcs: the longing of a daughter for her mother’s acceptance, the tension in Rose’s past relationship, and the rivalries among younger characters.
The pacing starts slow with introductions but picks up as the story develops. Cinematography presents Isla Babuyan as both scenic and harsh. The tone is campy, with soap-style turns and exaggerated drama, which may divide audiences. Some scenes run longer than needed, but the mother-daughter story keeps the film steady.
The project also honors the late talent manager Leo Dominguez, who discovered Jennings’ potential as both singer and actress and had promised her mother, Gina, that he would guide her career when the time came. That promise was fulfilled through this film.
Jennings shows potential in her first role, handling both emotional and lighter scenes. De Leon anchors the film with experience, while the ensemble cast supports the layered plot.
