OFW-Inspired ‘What Home Feels Like’ Strikes Close to Home [ToFarm Film Fest 2017 Finalist]
In our country where there are more than 2 million Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), ToFarm Film Festival 2017 finalist What Home Feels Like is very timely and relevant. Whether or not one belongs to an OFW family, a viewer can easily relate to the familial concerns, emotional challenges, and conflicts the film portrays.
In this project written and directed by 25-year old filmmaker Joseph Abello, 57-year old seaman Antonio (played by ToFarm Film Festival 2016 Best Actor Bembol Roco) goes through the struggles of dealing with forced unemployment and re-acquainting himself with the family he dedicated his whole life to. Antonio has spent more than half of his life on ship, working hard as a seafarer to provide for his wife (Metro Manila Film Festival – MMFF 2016 Best Actress Irma Adlawan) and four children (Biboy Ramirez, Aaron Rivera, Rex Lantano, and Bianca Libinting). Everything is normal until he gets fired from his job and forced to stay on land for more than three months for the first time in 33 years. It is at that point that he realizes how years of working overseas has robbed him of the chance to know his family on a personal level. Antonio finds himself alienated by his loved ones and out of place in his own home. To make things worse, now that he is back, his children are the ones leaving home.
Prior to the termination of his employment, Antonio buys a six-hectare lot to start a farm. The farm serves not only as a refuge for Antonio’s struggling self but the progress of its development also becomes a symbol of his transition at that point of his life. Bembol Roco portrays Antonio so well that he will remind you of your own father or a Tito you know. I wouldn’t be surprised if he bags that Best Actor award again in this year’s festival. The same goes for Irma Adlawan and the rest of the cast. They employed a natural style in acting that gives off that voyeuristic feel during viewing. It is as if real life is just happening before your eyes. In particular, Antonio’s journey to rediscovering himself and his family is emotionally affecting as it is both heartwarming and heart-crushing (I found myself wanting to hug him for comfort at many points in the film!). I suggest you grab a pack of tissues before watching.
Witness Antonio’s personal and family life unfold and certain circumstances may just trigger questions you have about your own. The film is stripped off exaggerated melodrama and teleserye-like occurrences. Its simplicity and rawness are its strengths.
The title What Home Feels Like couldn’t be more perfect for a film that strikes so close to home – right where the heart is.
Catch it in selected cinemas from July 12-18 (See schedule and cinema list below).
WATCH the full trailer:
MOVIE SCHEDULE
TOFARM FILM FESTIVAL 2017 (Year 2)
Screening Dates: JULY 12-18
Participating Cinemas: SM Megamall, SM Manila, Greenbelt 1, Robinsons Galleria, Robinsons Metro East, and Gateway Cinemas
Cinema: SM MEGAMALL
JULY 12 (Wed)
11:00 AM – BAKLAD
1:30 PM – WHAT HOME FEELS LIKE
4:00 PM – INSTALADO
6:30 PM – SINANDOMENG
9:00 PM – HIGH TIDE (Gala Premiere)
JULY 13 (Thu)
11:00 AM – KAMUNGGAI
1:30 PM – BAKLAD
4:00 PM – WHAT HOME FEELS LIKE
6:30 PM – INSTALADO
9:00 PM – SINANDOMENG (Gala Premiere)
JULY 14 (Fri)
11:00 AM – HIGH TIDE
1:30 PM – INSTALADO
4:00 PM – BAKLAD
6:30 PM – WHAT HOME FEELS LIKE
9:00 PM – KAMUNGGAI (Gala Premiere)
JULY 15 (Sat)
11:00 AM – SINANDOMENG
1:30 PM – HIGH TIDE
4:00 PM – INSTALADO
6:30 PM – BAKLAD
9:00 PM – WHAT HOME FEELS LIKE
JULY 16 (Sun)
11:00 AM – KAMUNGGAI
1:30 PM – SINANDOMENG
4:00 PM – HIGH TIDE
6:30 PM – INSTALADO
9:00 PM – BAKLAD
JULY 17 (Mon)
11:00 AM – WHAT HOME FEELS LIKE
1:30 PM – KAMUNGGAI
4:00 PM – SINANDOMENG
6:30 PM – HIGH TIDE
9:00 PM – INSTALADO
JULY 18 (Tue)
11:00 AM – SINANDOMENG
1:30 PM – WHAT HOME FEELS LIKE
4:00 PM – KAMUNGGAI
6:30 PM – INSTALADO
9:00 PM – HIGH TIDE
Cinema: SM MANILA
JULY 12 (Wed)
11:00 AM – KAMUNGGAI
1:30 PM – BAKLAD
4:00 PM – WHAT HOME FEELS LIKE
6:30 PM – INSTALADO
9:00 PM – SINANDOMENG
JULY 13 (Thu)
11:00 AM – HIGH TIDE
1:30 PM – KAMUNGGAI
4:00 PM – BAKLAD
6:30 PM – WHAT HOME FEELS LIKE
9:00 PM – INSTALADO
JULY 14 (Fri)
11:00 AM – SINANDOMENG
1:30 PM – HIGH TIDE
4:00 PM – KAMUNGGAI
6:30 PM – BAKLAD
9:00 PM – WHAT HOME FEELS LIKE
JULY 15 (Sat)
11:00 AM – KAMUNGGAI
1:30 PM – SINANDOMENG
4:00 PM – HIGH TIDE
6:30 PM – INSTALADO
9:00 PM – BAKLAD
JULY 16 (Sun)
11:00 AM – WHAT HOME FEELS LIKE
1:30 PM – KAMUNGGAI
4:00 PM – SINANDOMENG
6:30 PM – HIGH TIDE
9:00 PM – INSTALADO
JULY 17 (Mon)
11:00 AM – BAKLAD
1:30 PM – WHAT HOME FEELS LIKE
4:00 PM – KAMUNGGAI
6:30 PM – SINANDOMENG
9:00 PM – HIGH TIDE
JULY 18 (Tue)
11:00 AM – INSTALADO
1:30 PM – BAKLAD
4:00 PM – WHAT HOME FEELS LIKE
6:30 PM – KAMUNGGAI
9:00 PM – SINANDOMENG
Cinema: GATEWAY CINEPLEX
JULY 12 (Wed)
11:00 AM – SINANDOMENG
1:30 PM – HIGH TIDE
4:00 PM – KAMUNGGAI
6:30 PM – BAKLAD
9:00 PM – WHAT HOME FEELS LIKE (Gala Premiere)
JULY 13 (Thu)
11:00 AM – INSTALADO
1:30 PM – SINANDOMENG
4:00 PM – HIGH TIDE
6:30 PM – KAMUNGGAI
9:00 PM – BAKLAD (Gala Premiere)
JULY 14 (Fri)
11:00 AM – WHAT HOME FEELS LIKE
1:30 PM – KAMUNGGAI
4:00 PM – SINANDOMENG
6:30 PM – HIGH TIDE
9:00 PM – INSTALADO (Gala Premiere)
JULY 15 (Sat)
11:00 AM – BAKLAD
1:30 PM – WHAT HOME FEELS LIKE
4:00 PM – KAMUNGGAI
6:30 PM – INSTALADO
9:00 PM – HIGH TIDE
JULY 16 (Sun)
11:00 AM – KAMUNGGAI
1:30 PM – BAKLAD
4:00 PM – WHAT HOME FEELS LIKE
6:30 PM – INSTALADO
9:00 PM – SINANDOMENG
JULY 17 (Mon)
11:00 AM – HIGH TIDE
1:30 PM – KAMUNGGAI
4:00 PM – BAKLAD
6:30 PM – WHAT HOME FEELS LIKE
9:00 PM – INSTALADO
JULY 18 (Tue)
11:00 AM – SINANDOMENG
1:30 PM – HIGH TIDE
4:00 PM – INSTALADO
6:30 PM – BAKLAD
9:00 PM – WHAT HOME FEELS LIKE
Cinema: GREENBELT 1
JULY 12 (Wed)
11:00 AM – HIGH TIDE
1:30 PM – KAMUNGGAI
4:00 PM – BAKLAD
6:30 PM – WHAT HOME FEELS LIKE
9:00 PM – INSTALADO
JULY 13 (Thu)
11:00 AM – SINANDOMENG
1:30 PM – HIGH TIDE
4:00 PM – KAMUNGGAI
6:30 PM – BAKLAD
9:00 PM – WHAT HOME FEELS LIKE
JULY 14 (Fri)
11:00 AM – INSTALADO
1:30 PM – SINANDOMENG
4:00 PM – HIGH TIDE
6:30 PM – KAMUNGGAI
9:00 PM – BAKLAD
JULY 15 (Sat)
11:00 AM – WHAT HOME FEELS LIKE
1:30 PM – INSTALADO
4:00 PM – SINANDOMENG
6:30 PM – HIGH TIDE
9:00 PM – KAMUNGGAI
JULY 16 (Sun)
11:00 AM – BAKLAD
1:30 PM – WHAT HOME FEELS LIKE
4:00 PM – INSTALADO
6:30 PM – SINANDOMENG
9:00 PM – HIGH TIDE
JULY 17 (Mon)
11:00 AM – SINANDOMENG
1:30 PM – BAKLAD
4:00 PM – WHAT HOME FEELS LIKE
6:30 PM – INSTALADO
9:00 PM – KAMUNGGAI
JULY 18 (Tue)
11:00 AM – HIGH TIDE
1:30 PM – SINANDOMENG
4:00 PM – KAMUNGGAI
6:30 PM – WHAT HOME FEELS LIKE
9:00 PM – INSTALADO
Cinema: ROBINSONS GALLERIA
JULY 12 (Wed)
11:00 AM – INSTALADO
1:30 PM – SINANDOMENG
4:00 PM – HIGH TIDE
6:30 PM – KAMUNGGAI
9:00 PM – BAKLAD
JULY 13 (Thu)
11:00 AM – WHAT HOME FEELS LIKE
1:30 PM – INSTALADO
4:00 PM – SINANDOMENG
6:30 PM – HIGH TIDE
9:00 PM – KAMUNGGAI
JULY 14 (Fri)
11:00 AM – BAKLAD
1:30 PM – WHAT HOME FEELS LIKE
4:00 PM – INSTALADO
6:30 PM – SINANDOMENG
9:00 PM – HIGH TIDE
JULY 15 (Sat)
11:00 AM – SINANDOMENG
1:30 PM – BAKLAD
4:00 PM – WHAT HOME FEELS LIKE
6:30 PM – INSTALADO
9:00 PM – BAKLAD
JULY 16 (Sun)
11:00 AM – HIGH TIDE
1:30 PM – INSTALADO
4:00 PM – BAKLAD
6:30 PM – WHAT HOME FEELS LIKE
9:00 PM – KAMUNGGAI
JULY 17 (Mon)
11:00 AM – SINANDOMENG
1:30 PM – HIGH TIDE
4:00 PM – KAMUNGGAI
6:30 PM – BAKLAD
9:00 PM – WHAT HOME FEELS LIKE
JULY 18 (Tue)
11:00 AM – BAKLAD
1:30 PM – KAMUNGGAI
4:00 PM – HIGH TIDE
6:30 PM – SINANDOMENG
9:00 PM – INSTALADO
Cinema: ROBINSONS METRO EAST
JULY 12 (Wed)
11:00 AM – HIGH TIDE
1:30 PM – KAMUNGGAI
4:00 PM – BAKLAD
6:30 PM – WHAT HOME FEELS LIKE
9:00 PM – INSTALADO
JULY 13 (Thu)
11:00 AM – SINANDOMENG
1:30 PM – HIGH TIDE
4:00 PM – KAMUNGGAI
6:30 PM – BAKLAD
9:00 PM – WHAT HOME FEELS LIKE
JULY 14 (Fri)
11:00 AM – INSTALADO
1:30 PM – SINANDOMENG
4:00 PM – HIGH TIDE
6:30 PM – KAMUNGGAI
9:00 PM – BAKLAD
JULY 15 (Sat)
11:00 AM – WHAT HOME FEELS LIKE
1:30 PM – SINANDOMENG
4:00 PM – BAKLAD
6:30 PM – HIGH TIDE
9:00 PM – KAMUNGGAI
JULY 16 (Sun)
11:00 AM – BAKLAD
1:30 PM – WHAT HOME FEELS LIKE
4:00 PM – INSTALADO
6:30 PM – SINANDOMENG
9:00 PM – HIGH TIDE
JULY 17 (Mon)
11:00 AM – SINANDOMENG
1:30 PM – KAMUNGGAI
4:00 PM – WHAT HOME FEELS LIKE
6:30 PM – INSTALADO
9:00 PM – BAKLAD
JULY 18 (Tue)
11:00 AM – HIGH TIDE
1:30 PM – SINANDOMENG
4:00 PM – KAMUNGGA
6:30 PM – WHAT HOME FEELS LIKE
9:00 PM – INSTALADO