“Awit talaga.”
That was my first thought after watching 100 Awit Para Kay Stella. The long-awaited sequel to the 2017 blockbuster film 100 Tula Para Kay Stella picks up years after the first film left audiences heartbroken.
This time, Stella, played by Bela Padilla, is no longer the carefree college rock singer but an events organizer trying to build a stable life. She then crosses paths once again with Fidel, who once hid his feelings behind the poems he wrote and has now become a songwriter for rising star Kyle Echarri’s character, Clyde. Through his songs, their past comes rushing back, along with the feelings they tried to bury for years.
Music carries the film just as strongly as the dialogue. Each song plays like a chapter in their unfinished story, carrying emotions that dialogue alone cannot express. This blend of music and storytelling brings the film to life, allowing viewers to feel the love story of Stella and Fidel.
Of course, the film delivers plenty of kilig moments. I found myself swept along with the audience—cheering, sighing, and even tearing up at just the right times. When Stella and Fidel finally shared their long-awaited kiss, it felt like everyone inside the cinema was rooting for them, including me. Scenes like these recalled the magic that made their story unforgettable in 2017 and explained why so many waited years for answers.
Still, the film isn’t flawless. The conflict scene—one of the most important parts of the film—between Stella and Fidel felt too rushed, arriving without enough buildup to show the tension simmering beneath the surface. Their fight happens so suddenly that it lacks the weight it could have carried, and it feels less convincing as a reason for them to part ways again.
Even so, Bela and JC carried the film with their undeniable chemistry. Bela gave Stella both strength and vulnerability, while JC’s layered performance made Fidel easy to root for. Kyle’s Clyde worked best as the thread that tied them together, though his character felt more like a bridge than a true obstacle.
The story takes a deeper turn in the cemetery scene, when Stella lets Fidel meet Ulan, the child she lost. It adds a layer of meaning to her path, subtly explaining some of the choices and hardships she has endured. It becomes even more powerful and makes sense in the final scene, when Stella confronts her ex, Von, played by Albie Casino, and rain pours right after.
The rain, tied to Ulan, becomes a symbol of her pain, her loss, and the inevitability of moving forward. For me, it was the kind of ending that didn’t need big words or sweeping gestures. The rain said it all.
After watching the whole film, I asked myself: does a blockbuster hit always need a sequel? For 100 Awit Para Kay Stella, I think the answer is yes. The story of Stella and Fidel proves that love and life may have their own rhythms—even if years have passed—but it will always be worth telling.
