IT was impossible not to be fired up by DocuCentral’s Radical Love, which aired last Sunday on ABS-CBN’s Sunday’s Best. It was a documentary chronicling Cherry Pie Picache’s journey in facing her late mother’s killer.
Five years ago, the body of Cherry Pie’s mom, Zenaida Sison, was found dead inside her home in Quezon City.
Police arrested suspect Michael Flores a few months into the investigation and he was imprisoned for robbery and homicide.
The film opens with interviews of the loved ones of Zenaida, including Cherry Pie recalling the events that led to the murder. Then it jumps to the investigation mixed with actual news reports in a completely consistent and engrossing way. It was a perfect prologue of what was about to happen.
No spoilers here actually, as publicity for the documentary has been largely focused on Cherry Pie forgiving Michael, who was sentenced to life by the court. Cherry Pie, in her most raw, showed her hurt and grief. And then we see the current life of Michael trying to rehabilitate himself in jail.
At this point, Cherry Pie says, “Sana maproseso naming pareho…I really pray…by God’s grace I’m really praying. ‘Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us…’ Paano ka hihingi ng tawad kung hindi ka magpapatawad.”
We then go to that scene when Cherry Pie finally faces her mom’s murderer. Watching the documentary, it felt like a volcano was about to erupt and you sense the hesitation of both. Cherry Pie starts by asking “Kamusta ka na?” Michael just mumbles the perfunctory answer, “OK lang po.” Cherry Pie is in tears for a few seconds and when Michael blurts out, “Sorry po,” Cherry Pie hugs him. It was raw, it was devastating, it was a moment that hit you like a wrecking ball.
Radical Love earns its right to engage us on a primal level. Making viewers ask themselves: What if this happens to me, will I be able to do what Cherry Pie did? The film strives not to exploit the story. The film remains genuine and emotional, and it’s one of the few films that guarantee to turn its viewers into a sobbing mess. And the raw power of this story is why it will be a film that will have a lasting effect on people. It is an undeniably shattering film. Make sure to bring tissues when you watch it because you will certainly need them.
Radical Love is available online via iWant and will re-air on dzMM Teleradyo on July 14, 7 pm, and on ANC on July 15, also at 7 pm.
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FANS of Maja Salvador went wild when she promised her upcoming show, The Killer Bride, would be “mas wild!” ABS-CBN viewers who miss Maja will be thrilled to learn she plays the title character, Camilla, a woman whose forbidden love results in her death on, of all days, her wedding day.
“What’s different about this show is that many programs talk about how one fights for the person you love, pero ito, hindi mo alam na ang minamahal mo ay pwede pala ang pumatay sa iyo,” shared Maja.
More will be revealed about the show but we know two things: The show will be a mixture of goth-mystery but still family-oriented, and joining Maja in the cast are Geoff Eigenmann, Joshua Garcia, Janella Salvador, Eddie Gutierrez, Aurora Sevilla, Lara Quigaman, Ara Arida, James Blanco, Sam Concepcion, Cris Villanueva, Jobel Salvador, Dominic Ochoa, Alexa Ilacad, Loren Burgos, Pamu Pamorada, Malou de Guzman, Pepe Herrera, Eric Nicolas, Keanna Reeves and Neil Coleta.