These Filipino Movies Will Inspire You To Travel This Summer
From a galaxy far, far away to a land before time, movies have the power to transport viewers to other worlds not possible in reality. But sometimes, escaping into movies also means seeing stories set in real-life locations that you can actually travel to. That’s the case with a handful of Filipino movies, whose plots feature cross-country and overseas travel rooted in actual destinations that you may want to visit yourself.
These locations aren’t just settings, but also characters in their own right whose natural beauty, ambiance, and unique charms add to the story and may even inspire a spontaneous vacation with friends after a viewing or two. From Batanes to Siargao and beyond, these Filipino movies will ignite your wanderlust to plan that summer escape.
RELATED: Beach Resorts Across Southeast Asia Perfect for a Summer Escape
I’m Drunk I Love You – There’s More to La Union Than Just Surfing
This heartwarming and heartbreaking movie stars Paulo Avelino and Maja Salvador as two college students who go on a road trip to La Union before they graduate. But aside from being a last hurrah before they enter the “real world”, the trip also serves as a chance for the two to clear the air about their feelings for each other. The romantic comedy highlights the wonders of La Union as both a popular vacation spot and a place for deeper, introspective reflection on the messiness and uncertainty of life.
Mr. & Mrs. Cruz – Realizations in Palawan
Never underestimate the power of a tropical island to be an ideal setting for self-discovery. Such is the case with this 2018 film starring JC Santos and Ryza Cenon. Raffy and Gela, two people who are overworked and overburdened by the realities of life, travel to Palawan for a much-needed escape. But their time on the island proves to be a lot more transformative than they realized. This travel narrative with themes of love, chance encounters, and the complexities of human emotions reflects the power of being in a new place to foster growth.
That Thing Called Tadhana – A Bus Ride to Baguio That Changes Everything
This modern rom-com classic from Antoinette Jadaone takes place across Rome, Manila, Baguio, and Sagada. It follows Mace and Anthony, who meet at an airport in Rome and decide to travel together in the Philippines. As they deal with their own personal challenges, they go on a trip to Baguio that changes their perspectives on themselves and each other. Aside from featuring a heartfelt love story, the movie also serves as a love letter to the breathtaking landscapes of northern Philippines, particularly Baguio and Sagada. It makes for a tender movie about finding yourself, and maybe a new love, after a heartbreak, as well as a gentle reminder to trust tadhana.
Siargao – The Magical Attraction of the Island
Siargao is such a popular destination for locals and foreigners that there’s a movie set entirely on it. This surf romance and entry in the 2017 Metro Manila Film Festival stars Jericho Rosales as Diego, a burned-out musician living in Manila who returns to his hometown in Siargao. There, he meets Laura, a YouTuber who is in Siargao to try to move on from a failed relationship.
The two get to know each other as they navigate the circumstances that brought them to the island. While the movie may feel very 2010s at times (the main character being a vlogger, for example), it does showcase Siargao’s charming beauty, from its famous beaches and surf spots to the diverse people you can meet who have their own story to tell.
Lakbay2Love – Countryside Cycling Meets Environmental Protection
Nature and cycling come together in this indie film from 2016. It stars Solenn Heussaff as a heartbroken videographer and Dennis Trillo as a cycling forester who has a passion for preserving the environment. Together, they cycle across the countryside on an adventure as they learn more about themselves and the importance of protecting nature. The Philippines’ natural beauty is a highlight here that’s given its proper spotlight through the movie’s storytelling and cinematography.
Kita Kita – A Wholesome Love Story in Japan
Set in Sapporo, Japan, Kita Kita centers on Lea, a Filipino tour guide living in Japan who goes blind after she catches her Japanese fiancé cheating on her. After some time, she meets fellow Filipino Tonyo as the two develop a friendship that turns romantic as they build a connection with each other. While the sleeper hit may not be the flashiest, it still shines in how the quiet yet charming scenery of Japan serves as the witness to Lea and Tonyo’s blossoming relationship.
Hihintayin Kita sa Langit – The Stunning Scenery of Batanes
A Filipino adaptation of Wuthering Heights, this Carlos Siguion-Reyna-directed romantic drama stars Richard Gomez and Dawn Zulueta in what was their first film together as leads. The movie follows Gabriel and Carmina, two friends turned resentful lovers who embark on a forbidden romance filled with tension, baggage, and unresolved feelings.
This faithful adaptation tackles the main beats of the novel, including class divide, resentment, and revenge. It’s also notable for being filmed in Batanes. Instead of the sweeping vistas of the Yorkshire moors, the film uses the picturesque beaches and seaside cliffs of the island of Batanes as its setting, which adds to the film’s dramatic and climactic love story. Location is actually one of the movie’s best traits, as the island’s windy hilltops give the film a cinematic charm.
Meet Me in St. Gallen – A Switzerland Reunion
Sometimes, we just need a change of location to have a new perspective on things. Or, in the case of this 2018 film from Irene Villamor, a change of country. Celeste and Jesse’s time together leads to a one-night stand. The two then go their separate ways but reunite after two years when they cross paths in St. Gallen, Switzerland. This story on the complexities of relationships effectively uses its location as a factor in shaping their consequential reunion.
Sakaling Hindi Makarating – Postcards From Zambales
Cielo, played by Alessandra de Rossi, is a young woman reeling from a failed engagement who recieves anonymous love letters. In her search for the identity behind the secret love letters, Cielo follows a series of mysterious postcards that take her across Zamboanga, Siquijor, and Batanes. In her travels, she meets a diverse cast of characters, each with their own unique stories, perspectives, and purposes. Through these chance encounters, Cielo unravels the meaning of the postcards and delves deep into themes of loss, healing, and emotional growth. Notably, this roadtrip across multiple provinces features and highlights stunning locations that are rarely captured in Filipino movies.
The post These Filipino Movies Will Inspire You To Travel This Summer first appeared on MEGA.
These Filipino Movies Will Inspire You To Travel This Summer
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