Kuh Ledesma (Facebook)

One of the highlights of the film, "Siglo ng Kalinga" by Lemuel Lorca, is the duet of Dr. Carl Balita, executive producer, with the original Pop Diva Ms. Kuh Ledesma. The song was composed and arranged by Vehnee Saturno.

According to Dr. Balita, Ledesma is the best choice to sing the theme song "Walang Hanggang Kalinga" since she is a registered nurse.

"She was already in my mind while writing the song. I told Vehnee Saturno about it, and he loved the idea because they already have done collaborations. As a person, I find her very spiritual. She already has a room reserved in heaven. In everything she does, she attributes it to the Lord. I love her for that. She's very caring. I grew up singing her songs," Dr. Balita said.

Balita considered his collaboration with Ledesma both a dream come true and has high regard for the singer. He used to sing the songs the Pop Diva sang, like Ako at Pilipino, Dito Ba?--are among his favorites.

He also said that Ledesma is a committed artist.

"She came on time. She's dressed for it. She prepared for it. She did her homework.  Very professional. She won't be the Pop Diva now if she isn't professional as she is even till this day. She does everything in prayer. That gives her all the power, and that makes her different as an artist," Balita said.

On the other hand, Ledesma revealed why she gladly sang the song, "Walang Hanggang Kalinga."

“When Dr. Carl asked me to sing the theme song for a movie about nurses portrayed by nurses, I readily said ‘yes.’ I was glad to learn that Vehnee Saturno did the melody of Dr. Carl’s touching and heartwarming lyrics," she said.

Dr. Carl Balita (Facebook)

For Ledesma, the song is a tribute to the nurses, the unsung heroes of all generations.

Another factor that got her nod to interpret the song was the idea that nurses acted in the film.

“They experience first-hand the hard work that nurses go through. They are the ones who [truly] have seen the difficulties of their ailing patients. They have seen the reality of pain their patients go through.”

The all-nurse cast film, produced by Dr. Carl Balita Productions, had its world premiere last April 24, at SM Megamall's cinemas 2 and 3, respectively.

"Siglo ng Kalinga" is from the story and screenplay of Archie Del Mundo, inspired by the life story of Philippine Nurses' Association (PNA) founder Anastacia Giron-Tupas and the heroic lives of Filipino nightingales.

The film is about three periods that will interconnect all the life experiences, work, advocacies, teachings, and learnings from Tupas through portions of flashbacks in 1922-1945-1959 while transposing her story into the lives of her modern-day contemporaries or counterparts.

The all-nurses cast included Joy Ras, Tads Obach, Bambi Rojas, Ellener Cruz, Joel Rey Carcasona, Aldrin Samson, Irma Bustamante, Jewell Alano, Abbey Romero, Anna Illescas, Lorrich Del Castilo, Denmark Mismanos, Aya Sarmiento, Jam Sandiego, Val Ramilo, Jerico Roque, and VJ Mendoza. Nursing leaders and luminaries, mostly deans and presidents of nursing schools and PNA officers, also played vital historical roles, such as Dr. Cora Anonuevo, Mila Llanes, Betty Merritt, Remedios Fernandez, Rita Tamse, Clare Curato, Frances Cuevas, Nerissa Gerial, and PNA National President Melvin Miranda.

"Siglo ng Kalinga" opens in cinemas nationwide on May 31. Watch the official music video: