Adela (2008 film)

Adela
Directed by	Adolfo Alix Jr.
Produced by	Noel D. Ferrer
Written by	Adolfo Alix Jr. Nick Joseph Olanka
Starring	Anita Linda Joem Bascon Jason Abalos Perla Bautista Iza Calzado Ricky Davao
Music by	Ditoy Aguila
Cinematography	Albert Banzon
Edited by	Alex Castañeda
Production company	Bicycle Pictures
Release dates	July 11, 2008 (2008-07-11)
Running time	90 minutes
Country	Philippines
Language	Tagalog

Adela is a 2008 Filipino drama independent film starring the Philippine Screen Legend, Anita Linda. The film was a tribute for the award-winning film veteran which won Best Actress awards from the Gawad Tanglaw, 10th Cinemanila International Film Festival (Southeast Asia Film Competition) and Young Critics Circle for her portrayal of the titular character.^[1][2][3]

The story of Adela, which takes place in a span of one day, is a heartbreaking story of a woman who longs for the company of her loved ones. Some of the stars tapped to act as Adela's neighbors are Jason Abalos, Angeli Bayani, and Iza Calzado.

Synopsis

On her eightieth birthday, Adela prepares enough food to accommodate her children who all promised to be present during the occasion. She goes around the community and helps those who are in need. She tries to treat it like a normal day—doing her daily chores and duties but the widow can't hide her loneliness.

Adela has three children: an OFW who works in Qatar; a drug addict son (portrayed by Ricky Davao) who is currently in jail; and a daughter who works as a housemaid in Makati. They all fail to show up and greet her, prompting her to spend the day alone in Freedom Island, a bird sanctuary where mangroves are abundant.^[4]

Plot

On her way home, Mercy (Angeli Bayani), heavily pregnant discovered her live-in partner PJ (Jason Abalos), is sleeping with her mistress (Cyra de la Cerna). To her dismay, she accidentally labored with the help of Aling Adela (Anita Linda), a former midwife. Celebrating her 80th birthday, Adela expects her children to come along with her grand children. On the other hand, PJ with the baranggay captain invited Aling Adela for a gathering to celebrate the birth of his baby and at the same time convince her to join the prayer rally for President Arroyo but in excuse she wants to have her day with her children. As she prepares to go to church, Benjo (Joem Bascon) came to sell a toaster and a cellphone charger. She then discovered her wedding ring was gone then went to a junk shop manager and found out that the appliances she bought are all stolen from Aling Glenda (Perla Bautista). She confronted the young snatcher and pleaded for her ring back but he won’t simply admit it. She simply went to church to pray and give thanks for this special day but she then saw the young snatchers activities. She also met her former co-league in the radio. There were chit-chats and Adela refuses to discuss how lonely her life is. Near the church, she also bought toys and decorations for her apos. She went also to the local prison to visit her son only to find out that her son is about to be convicted and be transferred in the Muntinglupa. She then decided to attend the PJ’s celebration with all the drinking and karaoke singing. While all the gang is singing “Luha”, she got a call from her daughter. It is unclear but based on the reaction of Adela, her daughter won’t be able to come. She went home, gave some pancit to her neighbour. She also went to the young snatcher’s mother and gave the appliance back only to discover an illicit love affair with a stud. As everyone went to the prayer rally, Adela silently went to the river shore and celebrated 80th birthday with an uncertain hope and much pain. The film ended with a disturbing scene where Adela went to a bush place and leaves the audience hanging what happened.^[5]

Cast

Main Cast

• Anita Linda as Adela Macaraig
• Joem Bascon as Benjo
• Jason Abalos as PJ
• Angeli Bayani as Mercy

Supporting Cast

• Perla Bautista as Glenda
• Ricky Davao as Felipe Macaraig
• German Moreno as Himself
• Kenneth Ocampo as Joy
• Arnold Reyes as Jericho
• Zyra dela Cerna as PJ's mistress
• Iza Calzado as Tina
• Joy Napoles as Jona
• Armando Reyes as Larry

Other Cast

Neighbors

• Nick Olanka
• Aiza Santiago
• Rolly Palmes
• Jose Jonie Ocampo
• Maxie Evangelista

Responses

At The Cultural Center of the Philippines

Adolfo Alix Jr.'s Adela was the opening film of the Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival held at the Cultural Center of the Philippines on July 20, 2008.^[6]

Toronto International Film Festival

Adolfo Alix Jr. Adela has been invited to the prestigious Toronto International Film Festival, which runs in the Canadian city Sept. 4 to 13. The news was relayed to Inquirer Entertainment by Alix, who added that his film will be included in the section called Contemporary World Cinema together with India's Firaaq, Thailand's In the Shadow of the Naga Phawat, Indonesia's Under the Tree, South Koreas Treeless Mountain', Japan's All Around Us and Machan of United Kingdom/Italy/Germany/Sri Lanka.

Awards and Nominations

^[7][8]

Production Crew

• Executive Producers: Noel D. Ferrer and Adolfo Alix, Jr.
• Line Producers: Arleen Cuevas
• Associate Line Producer: Maxie Evangelista
• Director of Photography: Albert Banzon
• Production Manager: Rolly Palmes
• Associate Director: Armando Reyes
• Production Designers: Adolfo Alix, Jr. and Jerome Zamora
• Written by Adolfo Alix, Jr. and Nick Joseph Olanka
• Directed by Adolfo Alix, Jr.

References

External links

• Adela at the Internet Movie Database
• Adela at Rotten Tomatoes