The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
Here’s a poignant narrative of two young guys in love but no histrionics, steamy bed scenes or sex acrobats elsewhere, just feel-good moments.
As a matter of fact, their gayhood per se isn’t the source of the irony or conflict in the story but realizations of their little mundane thoughts as jealousy or self-consciousness which they easily dismiss.
Main characters are: Jorge (Benedix Ramos), a restaurant manager somewhere in the Ilocos region who is personally attached to his grandpa Tino, a former Filipino migrant worker in Hawaii who in his retirement built his eponymous eatery; and Kiko (Justin Paul Basobas), an orphan from up north Cagayan who seeks an employment, of all places, in Tino’s.
From the beginning, Jorge and Kiko are meant for each other, their feelings and emotions, past and current experiences, vision of hope and tomorrow etc. are parallel yet intersecting.
Although contrived, they are saved by charming and engaging playful moments.
There are many instances of departure, though, from the cherished infatuated dalliances to surrender and defeat but they, too, are reclaimed the soonest like Jorge’s painful introspection of his gayness when Kiko was fetched up by his girlfriend whom he dropped eventually like a hot potato because of her stubbornness or Kiko’s pit of insecurity over the closeness of Jorge with childhood friend and son of mayor who eventually lets him up etc.
“All the Things I Leave You” is a labyrinth of LGBTQAI+ vibes.
No homophobia. Just clean and simple fun.
All things being equal, the gap boys’ gay love has reference to old folks’ M2M bond in the Ilocano fields of yesteryears.
You may say it’s unreal but here all are enlightened if not “I wouldn’t care less” people about gays especially from Jorge’s close-in aide cousin, a confidante who even openly teases and bridges him to Kiko’s heart but at the same time professes crush on the latter who gives in to her whims.
Ramos and Basobas are newbies but they are like veteran thespians.
Maui-based Lance Collins writes from the heart and comes up with playful innuendos not unlike what hetero love conveys.
Jade Castro isn’t gay but he lives and loves reel gay love.
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There’s a Noranian visual artist out there who has created immortal images of Nora Aunor on canvas.
His name is Francis Tanseco and the collection of his works is titled “Filipinism, La Aunor, Woman.”
The series has just been chosen as a finalist to the 2025 “Spring Open Theme” of the New York-based “Art Collide.”
Obviously, Tanseco’s muse is a tribute to Nora Aunor, the Superstar who passed on recently due to Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).
These Nora sketches were already exhibited at the Philippine embassy in the United Kingdom in 2012 and the Luneta Park in 2014 with hordes of Noranians in attendance.
“Please pray for me to win this contest,” requested Francis.