Not being a sucker for events and occasions designed to hype commercialism, I give in, anyway, to the request of my family to celebrate Father’s Day every third Sunday of June. It happened that a few days prior, my attention was called by at least three movies on Netflix that portrayed the significant role of fathers in the parenthood equation.

The first film, Forgotten Love (by Michal Gazda, from Poland, 2023), tells a touching story about love overcoming all odds. In capsule: “A once-respected surgeon who's lost his family and his memory gets a chance at redemption when he reconnects with someone from his forgotten past who can help him find the answers he needs.”

Rest in Peace (2024) talks about the supreme sacrifice made by a father to save his wife and two children from bankruptcy and homelessness. Here’s a briefer, quoted loosely: A debt-ridden father takes advantage of an unforeseen situation to disappear and live away from them under a false identity. Years later, a chance encounter online tempts him to want to know whatever happened to his family.

The Spanish-language film, from Argentina, is directed by Sebastian Borensztein.

The third film is In Good Hands 2 (by director Ketche, from Turkey), about a newly reunited father and son grappling with new beginnings after a tragedy. They struggle to fill the void left by the boy’s mother until a stranger enters their life.

All three films are worth watching for their dramatic impact and timely message. Recommended not just for fathers but for families as well. 

xxx 

PASSERBY:

Metro Manila is talking about two current hits, the stage play, Grace (about the reported Marian apparition in Lipa), and the Thai film, How To Make Millions Before Grandma Dies. Both are highly recommended.

Being Batangueno, let me put my two cents’ worth on Grace.

Days, weeks, and months prior, I had been desperately looking for my favorite rosary, something light and easy on the pocket. The morning after watching Grace, courtesy of my high school friend, Dr Bobby Magsino, there it was suddenly, seated comfortably in a bayong near my desk. I thank Mama Mary profusely.

Grace, the farewell piece of playwright Floy Quintos, is one such powerful play that not only enlightens us about the Miracle of the Petals at the Carmel Convent in 1948, but also leaves a timely message. Lead character Teresita Castillo raises the issue in one scene when she howls, “You want me to accept your lies to be my truth?”

In this age of falsity and brazen lying everywhere, nothing can be timelier and more relevant than Grace fulfilled.

Grace’s last play dates are on June 15,16, and 23 at Black Box Theater, Ayala Circuit in Makati.