Rosario (2010 film)

Rosario
Study Poster
Directed by	Albert Martinez
Starring	Jennylyn Mercado Yul Servo Dennis Trillo Isabel Oli Sid Lucero and Dolphy
Distributed by	Cinemabuhay International and Studio5
Release dates	December 25, 2010 (2010-12-25) (Metro Manila Film Festival)
Running time	120 minutes
Country	Philippines
Language	Tagalog, English, Spanish

Rosario is a 2010 drama film directed by Albert Martinez, an official entry to the 36th Metro Manila Film Festival.^[1] The story was about Manuel V. Pangilinan's grandmother.^[2] The film stars Jennylyn Mercado, Yul Servo, Dennis Trillo, Isabel Oli, Sid Lucero, Philip Salvador, and Eula Valdez and with a very special participation of Dolphy.

Plot

The story revolves around Rosario (Jennylyn Mercado), a sophisticated Filipina flapper in the 1920s who has just arrived from New York, and is spending her vacation in their hacienda.

The film begins with Manny Pangilinan's uncle, Jesus (Dolphy) writing a letter to the TV5 chairman. Upon reaching to the network station, Jesus tells his nephew a story about Rosario (Jennylyn Mercado), Jesus' mother.

The daughter of Don Enrique (Phillip Salvador) and Doña Adela (Eula Valdez), Rosario was a passionate woman who lives according to her heart’s desires. She was a woman ahead of her time.^[3]

There, she meets and falls in love with Vicente (Yul Servo), an older man who manages the tobacco plantation owned by Rosario's family. When Rosario's father finds out about his daughter's scandalous affair, he sends Rosario to a convent.

She escapes, and elopes with Vicente to Manila where they raise a family. But Rosario's life of married bliss slowly crumbles when Vicente becomes ill with tuberculosis, and she is lured to committing adultery. Temptation and scandal still hound Rosario as she continues to defy the moral restrictions of her time.

Cast and Characters

Main Cast

• Jennylyn Mercado as Rosario
• Dennis Trillo as Alberto Fernandez
• Yul Servo as Vicente
• Isabel Oli as Carmen
• Sid Lucero as Carding

Minor Cast

• Dolphy as the elder Hesus
• Phillip Salvador as Don Enrique
• Eula Valdez as Doña Adela
• Ricky Davao as Miguel Delgado
• Empress Schuck as Soledad
• Chanda Romero as Tenant
• Liza Lorena as Jesus' Wife
• Jerould Aceron as the young Hesus

Cameo Appearances

• Tonton Gutierrez as Party Guest
• Dino Imperial as Party Guest
• Lloyd Samartino as Party Guest
• Jaime Fabregas as Party Guest
• Rita Avila as the Helper
• Ronaldo Valdez as the Priest
• Albert Martinez as the Ship Captain
• Ara Mina as the Doctor
• Precious Lara Quigaman as the Carnival Queen
• Bing Loyzaga as the Tenant
• Ron Morales as Servant Boy
• Liezel Martinez as Mother Superior
• Dino Guevarra as Recital Host
• Desiree Del Valle as the Party Singer
• Jaime Rivera as the Zarzuela Singer
• Chinggoy Alonzo as the Tenant
• Manny Pangilinan as Himself

Reception

The film's cast received favorable reviews from both critics and audiences especially the performances of Jennylyn Mercado and Dolphy. Danton Remoto highly praised the ensemble acting stating that Dolphy, Yul Servo, Chanda Romero, and Dennis Trillo stand out. Jennylyn Mercado has a face perfect for the role, and acquits herself well in her role. Her last scene with Carding (Sid Lucero) alone is worth the price of admission. Look at the eyes of love, the bright and expectant eyes of Carding, the slight movement like a tick in his right jaw, before Rosario turns away, and the blade of sadness descends.^[4]

Bong Gidonez of PEP also commended the good performances of the actors in this film especially Jennylyn Mercado. According to him, Mercado's acting in this movie boldly highlights her growth as a true actress. Her ability to convey emotions and feelings on camera without resorting to sigawan and sampalan elevates her to a level far from that of her young contemporaries. The first StarStruck Ultimate Female Survivor shifts with ease from being an aristocratic young lady from New York, to a modest housewife stripped of affluence, to an exiled adulterer and deprived single mother yearning for redemption. He further stated that after watching the film, it is easy to see why Jennylyn is favored to bag the Best Actress trophy in the MMFF Awards Night on December 26, as her performance in Rosario truly deserves recognition.^[5]

The rest of the cast were also given equal praises. Yul Servo's performance as a working-class man named Vicente shows the tender yet patriarchal views of men, which continues to be practiced by households today despite the increasing role of women in modern society. Dennis Trillo's portrayal of the irresponsible Alberto will earn the ire and contempt of viewers, although one may also feel compelled to question Rosario's moral judgment and thus put much of the blame on her for allowing a young man to ruin her marriage out of lust. Sid Lucero's Carding role, on the other hand, is endearing and heartbreaking at the same time. Carding's entry into Rosario's life is ill-timed, since all the hardships and failures endured by the protagonist have made her jaded about love and its meaning. Carding's idealistic view of romance is simply no match to a weary heart hardened by lost chances and mounting regrets. The performances displayed by other casts Isabel Oli, Phillip Salvador, Eula Valdes, Rita Avila, Liza Lorena, Chanda Romero, and Comedy King Dolphy are all impressive as well. Special mention should be given to Ricky Davao since his convincing portrayal of a deceiving landlord provides the film with a climactic ending.^[6]

Ria Limjap stated in her blog that the actors were able to pull off fine performances, especially the two young swains in Rosario’s life: the seducer, Dennis Trillo (who looks like a good boy gone bad) and Sid Lucero’s younger man, who is just perfect. Jennylyn Mercado shows promise in this role.

Awards

References

External links

• Official website
• Rosario at the Internet Movie Database