Rosario

Underrated Movie

Title: An Underrated Gem That Deserves a Second Look – "Rosario" (2010)
⭐️ Rating: 9/10

I stumbled upon this film on TikTok yesterday, and it immediately piqued my interest. I ended up watching the entire movie—and honestly, this film deserves far more attention than it received.

"Rosario" was released during the 2010 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF)—an unfortunate choice, as most viewers during the holidays gravitate toward lighthearted, family-friendly films. At the time, titles like Tanging Ina Mo were dominating the box office, which likely overshadowed this deeper, more serious drama. In hindsight, this movie would’ve made more impact if released during a different season—perhaps even during Holy Week.

🔍 Based on a True Story

The film is loosely inspired by Rosario Perriera, who is reportedly the maternal grandmother of business tycoon Manny V. Pangilinan. However, based on my own research, the story is highly dramatized—probably only 20% factual, with most of the plot fictionalized.

🧠 Narrative & Characterization

At first, I found Rosario’s character frustrating, especially seeing how some viewers labeled her as a "victim" or called the movie "empowering." Thankfully, the film itself avoids romanticizing her mistakes. Rosario is portrayed as someone who made a series of poor decisions and paid dearly for them—not as a martyr or victim of circumstance.

What I admired was her accountability. She didn’t blame her strict parents, her husband Vicente, or even Alberto. She owned her mistakes, which made her redemption in the latter part of the film feel earned. It’s rare to see this kind of character depth and emotional honesty in local cinema.

The only thing that didn’t sit well with me was the narrative structure, which felt too similar to Titanic—an older man recounting the tragic story of his past love. It felt a bit overused and could’ve been done differently.

🎭 Acting & Performances

Jennylyn Mercado gave a strong, layered performance as Rosario. A few scenes (particularly emotional ones with her mother) had slightly exaggerated expressions, but overall, she was convincing and committed to the role.

Sid Lucero was a standout. Despite limited screen time, his portrayal of the meek but loyal Carding was memorable and award-worthy. His emotional confrontation scene was one of the best in the film.

Dennis Trillo as the charming but reckless Alberto was also perfectly cast. His character felt so real it didn’t seem like acting.

The only casting misstep was Ara Mina as the doctor—her performance felt oddly misplaced and tonally inconsistent with the rest of the film.


🎥 Direction, Cinematography & Music

For a directorial debut, Albert Martinez did an outstanding job. The direction was mature, elegant, and emotionally grounded.

Cinematography was top-notch—visually rich and surprisingly polished for a 2010 Filipino film.

The soundtrack deserves special praise. It was recorded in Hollywood using a live orchestra and added emotional weight to the film’s heaviest moments. It truly elevated the movie and gave it a high production value.


🏡 Details that Mattered

I also appreciated subtle touches, like showing Rosario’s son (Dolphy’s character) living in a modest home—quietly emphasizing how her choices affected not only her life but the future of her child. These little narrative details show great storytelling care.

✅ Final Verdict

"Rosario" is one of those rare, well-crafted Filipino dramas that sadly got buried under poor release timing. With a compelling story, nuanced performances, and outstanding direction, it’s a film that deserves to be rediscovered—perhaps through streaming platforms like Netflix or as a Holy Week special.

If you enjoy historical drama with emotional depth, Rosario is definitely worth your time.

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