Homeward Bound

DIRECTOR'S NOTES:Pauwi Na is inspired by the journey of a family featured in a Philippine Daily Inquirer news article on September 7, 2003. This was written to be my second feature film with Ellen Ramos after Ilusyon back in 2005, but was shelved for logistical reasons. Even though this sounds dramatic, I think the delay was destined - for me to gain maturity as a storyteller and for fate to assemble the right cast for such an ensemble piece. Incidentally, the actor who plays Jesus, is named Jesus (Jess) Mendoza in real life.Shot on location in the the heart of Sampaloc, Recto, and Sta. Mesa in Manila, cast and crew labored in unforgiving humidity and cramped spaces. Along with Pepe's family, we welcomed the open roads of Antipolo and Rodriguez, Rizal. We all looked forward to reaching the "farm" - our elusive paradise, an imagined utopia. There were the perennial challenges for Ellen and I in sourcing enough funds to bring the script to life, to be able to use professional equipment and services, pay cast and crew the right professional fees, and not to shoot beyond midnight. Budget for just one more shooting day would have allowed more opportunities to immerse in the scenes and expand cinematic possibilities.On our last shooting day, we traveled two hours to shoot a perfect sunset moment. It suddenly rained, and we can only quietly gaze at the setting sun, waiting for the clouds to clear - as if the sky is saying, look at me first with eyes wide open. A rainbow appeared, its end a few meters away. We hoped that there will be a pot of gold. We only had 5 minutes to shoot before the sky darkens. Each shooting day tested our resolve to continue with the journey. - Paolo Villaluna