Apparently, the movie has a cult following who have seen it mostly on TV and on video, not on the big screen. They even know the names of Aga Muhlach and Lea Salonga in the film, Jerry and Agnes. And when Aga and Lea appeared on stage to greet the crowd before the screening started, the screaming was just incredible. It's as if they're teen stars in the mold of Kathniel and Jadine.
Aga is so slim and good looking in the film, compared to his hefty build now, 20 years since. And so is Lea. She was but a wisp of a girl then. But they're both good in their respective roles, especially Lea who is a clingy, insecure girl at the start then makes a 360 degree turn around to be a self assured and assertive real estate agent. We now realize the movie is the best "hugot" film of its generation.
Asked as to when they'll make a new movie, Lea points to Aga: "It depends on him. Sana, soon. And hopefully, it's with Direk Olive Lamasan again." Direk Olive says "Sana" was just her second movie after "MMK The Movie". "I intentionally didn't watch it again for the past 20 years. But I remember when we're about to shoot it, I told Malou Santos I didn't like the story that was given to us and I felt Aga and Lea deserve something better, so I wrote another script in one week. Pagdating namin sa States, ang dami kong anxieties. First time ko kasi to go the U.S. and sina Aga and Lea are such big stars. I was hoping hindi nila magustuhan the script that I wrote at mapa-pack up kami at sasabihin ni Charo Santos, sige, bumalik na lang kayo sa Manila. But when I met Lea, who flew in from New York to San Francisco, sabi niya, 'The script is awesome!' At si Aga naman, 'Wow, ang ganda ng script.' Now, after two decades, mapapanood uli namin ito and it has withstood the test of time. I realize now that this is not only the first movie of Star Cinema shot abroad but it's also our first movie about OFW's."
The movie went on to win the Urian best picture award, best screenplay for Inang Olive and best actor for Aga. It's really laudable that ABS-CBN is restoring acclaimed films like this. You can now upload it on iTunes or buy on DVD. Leo Katigbak, head of ABS-CBN Restoration, says they're making arrangement for their restored films to be shown in Rockwell theaters. For updates, you can check out filmrestorationabscbn on Facebook.
