Instant Mommy

Cinemalaya Film Festival is an annual project of the Cinemalaya Foundation Inc. for the endorsement and progress of Filipino independent films. I am aware of this film festival but it was my first time to watch an entry in this year’s film festival. Because one of our professors in the Department of Communication was one of the casts in Instant Mommy, I decided to watch this film.

Instant Mommy was a comedy-drama film written and directed by Leo Abaya. This film was an entry to the New Breed Category of the Cinemalaya Film Festival. Films in this category are by new filmmakers who have not yet experienced releasing films commercially.

Eugene Domingo in one of the scenes in the film

The film’s protagonist was Eugene Domingo. Her character Bechayda was a two-month pregnant wardrobe assistant for TV commercial production. Unfortunately, she had a miscarriage. In fear of losing his fiancé, Kaoru, Bechayda pretended and made up situations to make Kaoru believe that she was still pregnant. However, in the end, she found out that it was only the child that Kaoru wanted and that he was still making it up to his wife. This made Bechayda give up his fiancé, confronted Kaoru, and made his wife aware of the affair they once had. As a result, the two women left Kaoru leaving him with nothing.

The fact that Leo Abaya’s story was unique and new made me interested to the movie. However, the linear presentation of events made the film a bit boring in the latter part. If there were some flashbacks or foreshadows for variations, I believe that the film will sustain the audience’s interest.

It was a good thing that the actors’ performances were outstanding. This was one of the strengths of the film. With that, I would like to commend Eugene Domingo for the spectacular act she did in this independent film. Her professionalism was showed on how she portrayed the character.

Instant Mommy was another Filipino independent film that Filipinos should be proud of. Although it did not receive any award, Leo Abaya still did a great film with many opportunities to be fulfilled in his next films.