I believed that life’s full of chances and choices. Some struggles, some dances, their way to making their dreams and stories. Be it sad or happy, or whatever’s in between, each of us has our own tale to tell. This year’s tagline of Cinemalaya’s new advertising campaign’s “Anong kwento mo?” It relates to the interesting stories of Filipinos, and to a number of amazing and talented Filipino independent filmmakers.

Baby Angelo’s cries couldn’t be heard anymore. His tiny body left on a dumpster of an apartment complex. Some people wept and prayed for the little baby’s soul, while others just shrugged off their already encumbered shoulders. Bong Lomanta (Jojit Lorenzo) was tasked to investigate by his Aunt Nora. He came about listening and talking with the residents.

Life is ambiguous. We defined it on how we live it. The film depicts different Juan’s and Pedro’s and Maria’s of the present times. When couples get married for a reason not too strong to withstand trials, they may end up miserable. A solitary life of an old man is bleak. The relationship between brothers should be give and take. A troubled adolescent son, an occupied husband and wife, made up some family. Not everyone, who spent most of their evenings at work, are call center agents. And like the building that houses the tenants, their lives are also like stained of dirt from their past, and /or their present.

The film’s interesting, the stories of each character’s fairly compelling, and the main story’s intriguing. Surely, it is not a movie about ‘tianaks’. It’s more of a sensible subject, and nothing like the gay movies that were usually produced by independent filmmakers. And the actors were great. Some we might not know, or have seen for the first time, but nothing dull on how they had portrayed their roles. No gruesome scenes, except for the ‘balut’ part. But, I think, that’s one great idea on painting Filipinism in the story.

To the cast and staff of Baby Angelo, Pardon me if my thoughts of the film, and my words, are not enough to give justice to what you’ve work hard for.

Baby Angelo’s among the ten films to compete in the 2008 Cinemalaya Film Festival and Competition, for the full-length category.