Um, this has EVERYTHING? Dramatic flashbacks, random singing, Hilda Koronel playing an unhappy housewife yearning for independence, razor sharp comedic sequences, more random singing, Mike De Leon and PD going crazy with solid colours, a singular red car zipping across the greens of Baguio, and did I mention SINGING? Christopher de Leon, on a hill, singing to a wistful Hilda as they figure their ways towards their own individual freedoms together? Yeah, everything.

I didn't know I needed this until now. Kung Mangarap Ka't Magising is as much a coming-of-age film as it is romance. My fave part of the film is Christopher de Leon and Hilda Koronel's amazing chemistry, which is highlighted by the ever so romantic Baguio (and Sagada).

EDIT: I lied. My favourite part of this film is the fact that I get to watch this with my parents who watched this when it first got released. It was really cool to see them get nostalgic.

Criminally overlooked and underrated in its day, Mike de Leon poignantly tells a story of two souls whose passions have been lost into an affair that changes their lives. Inspired music and idyllic cinematography makes it irresistible to cherish this film. Props to adding two of the APO Hiking Society to the cast.

Romance as dreamlike escapism, life as the inescapable reality. In the end, we all just want to be loved.

This review may contain spoilers. I can handle the truth.

Taob ang tambalang Baguio nina Bujoy at Ned dito kina Ana at Joey.

Ang ganda ganda ganda ni Hilda Koronel. Ang sikip sikip sikip ng pantalon ni Christopher de Leon (as in bellbottoms na balls-hugging/splitting sa itaas tapos mega flared sa legs). Ang husay ng supporting cast. Pinakapaborito ko sina Laurice Guillen as Dimples Romana and Bibeth Orteza as Nikki Valdez.

Ang linis ng love story. Meron silang ibang mga problema sa buhay pero pinakita lang sa ilang eksena. Naka-focus talaga ang kwento sa bawal nilang pag-iibigan. 

Usapan habang nanonood:

"Ay, andyan pala ang APO Hiking Society. Pero bakit wala si Jim Paredes?"

"Malamang kasi dilawan siya."

(Gotta order those 'Lino Mocha' and 'Vanilla Santos' milkshakes.)

An uncomplicated budding romantic affair between Ana (Hilda Koronel) and Joey (Christopher De Leon) set in a breathtaking unscathed Baguio City. And the incorporation of crisp colors and emotive original music adds more verve to the pairing.

For almost two hours, you get to be hypnotized by Hilda's eternal beauty and be serenaded by Christopher in bell-bottoms.
There are also genuine laughs induced by the fun company of Bibeth Orteza, Laurice Guillen, and 2/3 of the APO trio (Boboy and Danny).

Mike De Leon makes us realize that come hell or high water, being in love is still one of the best things that could happen to us and we should never deny it to ourselves.

Advice for Ana:
If someone composes a song while sincerely sings it in front of you, don't interrupt him with absurd questions.

Baguio still tops the list of best places to shoot rom-com in the Philippines. Mike De Leon’s eye for picturesque sceneries and great attention to character dynamics stood out most in this film. It’s a coming-of-age with a touch of romance - so sweet and special.

sirk!

baguio films forever ⛅🌿🌷

baguio as the romantic dreamworld. the simple things are the most complicated to attain.

nakakakilig. nakakalungkot. ganda mapakinggan thoughts ni joey. ganda nung ending.

Baguio still tops the list of best places to shoot rom-com in the Philippines. Mike De Leon’s eye for picturesque sceneries and great attention to character dynamics stood out most in this film. It’s a coming-of-age with a touch of romance - so sweet and special.

This review may contain spoilers. I can handle the truth.

Kung may mas totoo pa sa pariralang, “Pinagtagpo pero ‘di tinadhana,” ito ay ang, “Nagmahal, pero nagparaya.”

Isang masayang panaginip ang pelikulang ito. Malayo sa nakasanayang rom-coms na palagi nating napapanood. Kung tutuusin ito ay pagkakabuhol-buhol at muling pagbubuo ng mga romantic tropes o debays na meron sa isang tipikal na love story, at sa tingin ko produkto rin ito ng zeitgeist ng 70s. Ang tema ay bawal na pag-ibig na binigyang kahulugan muli nina Christopher De Leon at Hilda Koronel, sa mahusay na direksyon ni Mike De Leon.

Ang Baguio City ay nagsilbing pangatlong karakter, lugar kung saan masayang maulanan, at maglakad sa kakahuyan. Ang umaga ni Joey ay mayamot, kaya’t kailangan ng katalista; at ang gabi ni Anna ay puno ng dalamhati sa kanyang binubuong pamilya. Magtatagpo sila sa umaga, at maghihiwalay pagkatapos ng gabi. Kailangan nilang magdesisyon: tumakas sa problema o harapin ang realidad ng buhay. Maging ano man ang kinahihinatnan, magpaparaya.

Isang paghinga ng sariwang hangin.

This review may contain spoilers. I can handle the truth.

I've so many mixed feelings about this movie! I still hate the idea of a ~forbidden love affair~ PERO SOBRANG GETS/EMPATHIZING KASI WHERE THEY'RE BOTH COMING FROM.

sirk!

baguio as the romantic dreamworld. the simple things are the most complicated to attain.

ang ganda. melancholic, tinged with pinoy-typical sentiment, but still so full of heart.

props to the restoration team & the production team. the colors pop out so much. i loved everyone's outfits. so full of youth, in all its sweetness.

reminds me of those lyrics jeanne moreau sings in jules et jim: "chacun pour soi est reparti / dans le tourbillon de la vie / je l'ai revue un soir, aïe, aïe, aïe / ca fait déjà un fameux bail". translation: on our own we went back / into the swirl of life / one night i saw her again, but oh, oh my / it had been ages already.

gusto ko na lang din maging masaya. makuntento kahit papano.

(Gotta order those 'Lino Mocha' and 'Vanilla Santos' milkshakes.)

An uncomplicated budding romantic affair between Ana (Hilda Koronel) and Joey (Christopher De Leon) set in a breathtaking unscathed Baguio City. And the incorporation of crisp colors and emotive original music adds more verve to the pairing.

For almost two hours, you get to be hypnotized by Hilda's eternal beauty and be serenaded by Christopher in bell-bottoms.
There are also genuine laughs induced by the fun company of Bibeth Orteza, Laurice Guillen, and 2/3 of the APO trio (Boboy and Danny).

Mike De Leon makes us realize that come hell or high water, being in love is still one of the best things that could happen to us and we should never deny it to ourselves.

Advice for Ana:
If someone composes a song while sincerely sings it in front of you, don't interrupt him with absurd questions.