MOVIE REVIEW: A Second Chance (2015)

NOVEMBER 25, 2015 NAZAMEL TABARES LEAVE A COMMENT

A SECOND CHANCE (2015) Review

Directed by Cathy Garcia-Molina
Updated after second viewing
Popoy is hot-headed, Basha is pushy, clearly not the best ingredients for a
good marriage. A Second Chance relies more on what the characters can
actually do to ruin their married lives, clearly they dont know each other
that much to actually be mindful of their decisions. The film is depressing
and may be the formula for ending a marriage. Pushing the melodrama too
far is the films best option for it to move forward. After all the wanting for a
sequel, maybe leaving the first one alone is the best thing that will never
happen.
We have inner Basha or inner Popoy in all of us, but we also learn and grow
and change. Most of the audience probably wants to know what happens to
the couple 8 years after, some are actually there because of the hype, some
because of the actors. A Second Chance is well-acted, John Lloyd Cruz and
Bea Alonzo have awards and a list of films to prove that. But the film might
be forced and rushed. The demand for a sequel has been heard for years
now, and for Star Cinema who is known for pleasing their fans answered their
prayer. But maybe, more time was needed. The story doesnt seem to have a
solid grasp to its characters. Whenever it gets uninteresting, the film pushes
melodramatic and loud scenes for the audience to absorb. Doesnt work with
some but to a usual Star Cinema film fanatic, it works.

These are characters that know each other too well but are both
inconsiderate of each others presence in their lives. Secrets turned out to
be not big of a deal in the end, that everything theyve been going through
doesnt matter as long as they have each other. Regrets and chances, that
how it started, thats how it ended. Will we have another Popoy-Basha feud
resulting to break-up? We surely hope not.
The films strength is its cast, its hard to pull off effective confrontation
scenes that is measured not by the physical pain the characters throw at
each other but by the words and how they are delivered. You mostly enjoy
the little quietness the film has because of its loud and over repeated
quarrels. But when you realize that these characters have been together for
more than enough time to actually be sensitive with each other, you
appreciate less of the drama it pushes to make the film emotionally
meaningful.

MOVIE REVIEW:
A Second Chance: Every
imperfect couples story
by Maridol Ranoa-Bismark posted on December 5, 2015

image: http://contents.pep.ph/images2/guide/266960486.jpg
image: http://contents.pep.ph/images2/guide/266960486.jpg

A joke here, some gentle ribbing there, even a childs innocent but uncalled-for words keep
moviegoers from clenching their fists and stilling the beat of their hearts for prolonged moments in A
Second Chance.

Second chances are nods to optimism. Its for us fallible humans, and brave souls who
refuse to let setbacks interrupt their pursuit of happiness.
In other words, second chances are not for the timid, but for those who believe in
rainbows after the storm.
This is what John Lloyd Cruz (as Engineer Popoy Gonzales) and Bea Alonzo (Architect
Basha Eugenio) depict with a part-pathos, part joy, in Star Cinemas newest box office
hit, A Second Chance.
Its all sweetness and light at the start, with Popoy and Bashas eyes all aglow over their
wedding the next day. The kilig factor carries moviegoers from one feel-good postwedding scene to another.

NO FAIRY TALE. Alas, marriage, like life, is no fairy tale. The magic wears off, and you
end up staring at the man or woman you married and asking yourself, What have I
done to deserve this spouse?
This oh-so-familiar situation hooks moviegoers the way fishing bait lures marine
creatures.
Married couples know the accusations and counter-accusations, the tears and other
signs of a crumbling union so well. Single moviegoers witness these encounters over
and over at home with mom and dad, or tito and tita as main characters.
What sets A Second Chance apart, however, is the way John Lloyd and Bea kiss
passionately, playfully tease each other in their love nests closet, and break down as if
its the end of the world when their worst selves take over.
Your heart breaks when John Lloyds voice croaks in utter defeat. You want to wipe the
tears from that pretty face when a hurt Bea looks at a downcast Popoy.

Youve got to give it to John Lloyd and Bea for maximizing your capacity for
compassion, and squeezing tear ducts dry.
Thank goodness director Cathy Garcia-Molina didnt ask her actors to erupt in earsplitting cries of despair or thrash about like persons possessed at the height of their
characters problems.
Thank goodness Garcia-Molina inserted light moments to ease the sobbing scenes and
ease the mounting tension.
A joke here, some gentle ribbing there, even a childs innocent but uncalled-for words
keep moviegoers from clenching their fists and stilling the beat of their hearts for
prolonged moments.
Basha wears sexy lingerie in time for Popoy's arrival from work one night. But he shows
up drunk in the arms of drinking buddies, and the mounting sensuality goes pfft.
You dont expect heated sexy scenes in a John Lloyd-Bea film. However, there are
naughty moments between the two as they enjoy their "honeymoon period."
You might even imagine even sexier thoughts whenever you hear the word "traffic."
You expect to get lost in a sea of romantic emotions sans the sexual tensions that go
with it.

HUGOT LINES. And so, you have hugot lines you can repeat like a mantra and pass on
to your lover, friend, or anyone you want to impress, educate, or simply regale with
swoon-worthy lines.
A soon-to-be-married couple can borrow Popoys vow to Basha: "Pangako mamaya
huling beses na nating maghihiwalay. Ito na ang huling gabi na merong ikaw at ako.
Simula bukas ang meron na lang ay tayo. Tayo habang buhay. Hindi ka na matutulog ng
mag-isa at hindi ka na gigising ng wala ako sa tabi mo. At itong mga kamay na ito, hindi
ka na bibitawan, ha?
A loving wife moaning over her husbands errors can take a cue from Basha: "Gusto na
kitang iwan ngayon, Poy. Gustong gusto ko na. Pero hindi ko gagawin, kasi nangako
ako na kahit ang hirap hirap mong mahalin, mamahalin kita. Kahit na nasasaktan ako,

susubukan ko pa. Kasi nangako ako. I promised to love you even if it hurts and to love
you more when it hurts."
A husband and wife celebrating their anniversary can repeat Bashas words to Popoy:
"You are my what was, what is and what will be."
Like any marriage however, A Second Chance is not perfect.
You cant claim "cinematic license" when Popoy and Basha merely stare at the blood on
the latters hands after a client rejects their housing proposal.
The logical, and realistic thing to do, is to stop staring and rush to the nearest hospital to
save an innocent life.
This is the movies, yes, but the audience can suspend their disbelief only so much.
Still, moviegoers dont seem to mind. A Second Chance continues to make a killing at
the tills.
Its insights on love, marriage and forgiveness, plus that enduring John Lloyd-Bea magic
make A Second Chance a movie people wait in long lines outside cinema houses for.
A Third Chance should be in the works by now.
Considered the sequel of the 2007 movie One More Chance, A Second Chance has
been graded B by the Cinema Evaluation Board.
_____________

I was 18 when I watched One More Chance for the first time. Back then, I wasnt too
familiar with John Lloyd and Beas work. I only knew them as an in-demand love team
who already had some serious teleserye experience. What drew me to the movie was
how hard-hitting its trailer was. Who wouldnt be moved by a crying John Lloyd and a
crying Bea throwing down the realest lines about love? Thankfully, I wasnt the only one
who felt that way. One day, my blockmates and I decided to watch it after discussing our
impressions of the trailer and that more and more people were recommending the
movie. So after a psychology class on a Tuesday (or Thursday?) afternoon we drove to
Eastwood to catch the 4-ish showing of the movie.

It wasnt as dramatic as the trailer would have liked us to believe. Sure it had heavy
moments, but it was balanced out by some form of humor (i.e. a jeep blaring
Jeremiahs Nanghihinayang, or Janus Del Prado committing suicide via overdose of
shampoo). The sawi lines were just as poignant as the first time Ive heard them in the
trailer. It was also my first time to experience John Lloyds acting. It was natural,
effortless but deeply affecting. I left the theater having this mix of emotional fatigue and
excitement that Ive never felt before in a Filipino movie. One More Chance not only
converted me into a John Lloyd fan, but also a believer in Filipino cinema. It made me
hopeful that Filipino cinema was more than the Enteng Kabisotes and Tanging Inas in
MMFFs.
(My track record of Filipino films watched in a theater wasnt stellar at that
time. Aside from the MMFF films, the other two Filipino movies were JolinaMarvins Hey Babe! and Dolphys Tatay Nick)
Jump to eight years after, at 26, Id like to think Im smarter but also almost a hundred
pounds heavier. I chose to leave my market research job of five years to blog and
podcast about Filipino pop culture because I wanted to do something Im passionate
about. So here I am writing my thoughts on One More Chances sequel.
I was skeptical when Star Cinema first announced that a sequel to One More
Chance was in production. Why now? It felt odd that Star Cinema suddenly took
interest in creating a sequel to an eight year old film. Since sequels are a big thing in
Hollywood, and Star Cinema knew about the films cultural impact, I was afraid that the
sequel was just a cash grab. So even though I was excited enough to catch the first
showing of its first day (by my lonesome), I still expected the worst.
If youre coming in expecting A Second Chance to be an updated version of the
original with bigger one-liners and grander romantic gestures, youll be disappointed.
Cathy Garcia-Molina and the writers knew they needed to do something different.
Something that hasnt been done successfully in mainstream Filipino cinema, just like
what the first film did eight years ago. And Im happy that they took these risks because
it made A Second Chance such an affecting and effective film.
At its core, A Second Chance was developed with the millennial audience of One
More Chance in mind. The same teenagers and yuppies who watched the movie eight

years ago. They knew that these people have grown up and moved on with their lives. In
those eight years, these people could have graduated from school, have gotten a job,
have gotten married or even have kids. The audience is much smarter and wiser than
they were before. Hence, telling a straightforward rosy love story wouldt cut it. If the
second movie wanted to reach the same impact the first movie had with the same
audience, it must reflect the audiences current experiences.
Thats why I found it smart of them to have the sequel also happen eight years after the
original film. Now at their late 20s or early 30s, romantic love was the least of Popoy and
Bashas problems. Theyre fights mostly stem from managing finances, career issues
and even their Meralco bill. These things arent the sexiest of problems but it doubles
down on the movies realness. Its a definite way to tell the audience, Hey, the
characters youve known and loved also grew along with you and they have the same
problems as you.
Not only were the problems in the movie more complex but the storytelling was also
layered; something that a few mainstream Filipino movies have attempted to do.
Because of this, the movie may seem flat or straightforward if you only take it at face
value. It tries its best to provide you memeable one-liners but felt off in this kind of
mature story. The movie works best when you try and notice the finer visual and
dialogue details that can add to the audiences understanding of Popoy and Bashas
marriage (i.e. Bashas deteriorating phone, Popoys insistence to do his calamity-proof
project)
Finally, what made ASC such an affecting movie for me was its decision to tackle
opportunities and choices. Its an appropriate theme to tackle especially when you have
a millennial audience. How comfortable are we with the choices we make in life? Popoy
and Basha took a risk when they got back together. Poy took a risk when he stayed in
the Philippines instead of pursuing his career in Europe. They both made a choice when
they got married. Both took a risk when they opened their own construction firm. Were
all confident of our life choices during the moments when we make them. But several
years down the line, when reality already hits you and youre lifes not as ideal as how
you envisioned it. Or when you see other people who took risks fared better than you.
Would you still be comfortable with your decisions?

OTHER THOUGHTS AND NOTES:

Apparently Popoy is a nickname and Bashas a firstname

ASC continues JLCs streak as an awful employer
Blatant in-movie product placements: 2 (medicine and crackers)
Note the gender dynamics between Popoy and Basha
Im happy that the JLC Hypothesis didnt happen in this movie. Id be pretty
pissed if it still happened after Bashas emergence
Im all-in for a Thursday Barkada TV series on their college days in UST. Id
like to see how Krizzy (Dimples Romana) and Kenneth (James Blanco) formed
their strong relationship or what made Anj (Bea Saw) such a bitter
pragmatist.

Bea Saw was on point in being Katherine Heigl! Star Cinema, please
develop Anjs story into a romcom.
Bea Alonzo had this too tired to care face throughout the movie. It was
reminiscent of Shiri Applebys FTS face in UnREAL.
Im not happy with the surprise star they chose to play Pedro.

Cathy Garcia-Molina could do a re-boot of ONE MORE

CHANCE (2007), and can still maintain its intelligent charm. Thats for sure.
However, she does another thing. Instead of bringing, yet another painfully
cutesy Star Cinema film, she manages to offer something far deeper than her
original. Once again, Garcia-Molina has considered creating a cinematic film
that thrives on an un-cinematic plot, and she quite succeeds. Despite its
quickie resolution, A SECOND CHANCE (2015) is arguably one good piece.
It deals with the question on what happen after the vows and promises. It
offers answers to familiar hypotheses on the small and the big tragedies of
marriage and of being together. Yes, Popoy and Basha didnt had a happy
ending when the former got his chance. Instead, as a couple, they were made
to experience the painful truth about life, marriage and identities.
After they got married, we meet Popoy and Basha again. They had already
establish their own construction firm and lay down their plans to build a home
and family. All is well until Basha had a miscarriage. Popoy had to ask Basha
to stay at home and rest, while he continue managing the firm. Two years
after, with Basha as a plain housewife and Popoy managing their business, all
went awry and piled up to the ceiling. As he tries to keep the firm afloat, Popoy
reluctantly changes his gears when it comes to Basha.
Garcia-Molina is on the top of her game in this sequel. Though one doesnt
need another painful journey for two well-loved Filipino movie characters,
Garcia-Molina manages to rekindle our want to journey with her once again.
What I like most about her direction are the intricate compositions in her
scenes. Basha, known for the comfort she gets from peanut butter sandwiches,
still gets the same treats from her husband Popoy. Garcia-Molina establishes

this symbolic comfort in most of the heavy scenes. Here, we get to see more
than just a pair of sliced bread. Popoy prepares multi-layered peanut butter
sandwiches symbolic of both their affection, and the same time, visualizing
their business in construction. In one scene, when Basha disappoints Popoy
during breakfast, the latter unconsciously tipped the humungous sandwich
that somehow offers a silent message. Popoy still loves Basha, but he cant
make it work without her trusting him again.
John Lloyd Cruz continues to be the lovably dashing Popoy in this series.
In his quite moments, Cruz conquers his audiences; and in his loudest he
gets cheers. Here, Popoy has grown to maturity and has started to face new
forms of challenges personal and professional. In Popoy, we see our own
risks brought about by the new entrepreneurial Filipino mindset. It is good to
mention how Garcia-Molina and her writers manage to develop his character
into a more complicated individual with a new set of problems, both realistic
and cinematic.
Bea Alonzo continues on with her charm as Basha. This time, Basha is more
than in love with her husband and is willing to take so much risk just to be
with him. The chance that she gave him paid him more than what he expected,
which is a good thing. In Basha, we see the loving wife, the submissive soonto-be-mother, the silent expectator and in the end, the loving confidant.
Alonzo offers a more matured Basha as she handles her characters humdrum
and grief, let alone her growing desire to be herself, once again.
As much as I loved the premise and how the film develops its discourse, what
troubles me is how a potentially good plot quickly resolves towards its end.
See, all is good until the final scene. Im not sure if youd agree, but getting
back to yet another cheesy climax and denoument somewhat pulls everything
good a notch lower. Maybe thats the curse of mainstream cinema. Maybe
thats what the only way a Star Cinema film could close an almost good
discourse. I hope not.
A SECOND CHANCE offers something much more than a love story, as it
delves deeper into the scalding realities of what we face today. Instead of
pursuing their passions in their respective corporate lives, Popoy and Basha
have decided to put up a business and risk chances for a promise of a better
future. In the process, they deal with much harsher realizations. Debt, taxes,
loss of clients, loss of confidence, among many others. The film argues that
these current millennial thoughts of taking an alternative career path can also
make or break your relationship with the one you love, and much more with
yourself.

A Second Chance (2015 film)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A Second Chance
Directed

Cathy Garcia-Molina

by

Produced

Malou Santos

by

Written by

Carmi Raymundo
Vanessa Valdez

Starring

John Lloyd Cruz

Bea Alonzo

Production

ABS-CBN Film Productions, Inc.

company
Distribute

Star Cinema

d by
Release
dates
Running

November 25, 2015

130 minutes[1]

time
Country
Language

Philippines

Filipino
English

Box office

445.9 million (Domestic) [2]and $1

million (North America)[3]

A Second Chance is a 2015 Filipino romantic drama film directed by Cathy Garcia
Molina starring John Lloyd Cruz and Bea Alonzo. The film is the sequel to Molina's 2007 film One
More Chance.[4][5]
The film, upon its release in the Philippines, is a box office success earned PHP 43 million in its
opening day. A Second Chance also receive generally favorable reviews from film critics and
audiences. On its 4th week, the film earned more than 556 million worldwide to become the highest
grossing Filipino film of all time
Contents
[hide]

1Plot

2Cast
o

2.1Supporting cast

2.2Special participation

3Production
3.1Pre-production

4Release

5Marketing

6Reception
o

6.1Box office

6.2Critical reception

7International release

8Piracy

9References

Plot[edit]
In the continuation of Popoy and Bashas love story from One More Chance, we find the couple
walking down the aisle and vowing to love each other "forever" and "ever." A Second
Chance explores realities and intricacies and Popoy and Bashas married life. We find Popoy as a
failed achiever, struggling to keep his business and self-esteem intact, while Basha has given up so
much in her life to keep their marriage together.

Cast[edit]

John Lloyd Cruz as Engineer Rodolfo "Popoy" Gonzales

Bea Alonzo as Architect Basha-Belinda Eugenio Gonzales

Supporting cast[edit]

Dimples Romana as Krizzy

Janus Del Prado as Chinno

James Blanco as Kenneth

Bea Saw as Anj

Ahron Villena as JP

Khalil Ramos as Noel

Melissa Mendez as Elvie

Al Tantay as Tito Willie

Shamaine Buencamino as Rose

Karen Dematera as Jacque

Denise Joaquin as Guia

Arlene Tolibas as Tansing

Special participation[edit]

Billy Crawford as Pedro

Arci Muoz as Arah Cervantes

Sue Ramirez as Marie

Production[edit]
Pre-production[edit]

Release[edit]
A Second Chance was released in the Philippines on November 25, 2015. The film is also set to
premiere in major cities in Europe starting December 5, 2015.

Marketing[edit]
Star Cinema released a series of promotional materials at their personal account to promote the film.
On August 17, 2015, the studio released a teaser of the film.[6] which was followed by the first
theatrical teaser on November 2, 2015[7] and a new and longer teaser on November 14, 2015. [8]

Reception[edit]
Box office[edit]
The film was a box office success on its opening day, earning a total of 43.3 million PHP from over
250 cinemas nationwide.[9] Based upon the Philippine box office records, the movie beat out the 38
million PHP 2015 record of the romantic comedy movie Crazy Beautiful You.[10] As of November 27,
2015, the film has earned 100 million PHP. On November 29, 2015, A Second Chance grossed 200
million PHP.[11]Major cinemas nationwide reported that they added more midnight screenings of the
movie due to the deluge of audience in the evening. [12] As of November 30, 2015, the film has
already grossed P300million since its initial release last November 25 in the Philippines. [13][14] After 10
days of its release, ABS CBN reported that the movie has passed the P400 million mark. [15] More
than 4 weeks after its release, Star Cinema has announced that the film has already grossed more
than PHP 556,000,000 worldwide making it the first Filipino film to reach the PHP 500 million mark. [16]
[17]

Critical reception[edit]
The film received generally favorable reviews from audiences and movie critics.
Francis Joseph Cruz of Rappler.com writes, "Thankfully, A Second Chance gives honesty a chance
within the business of weaving fables out of the romantic affairs of fictional people. In fact, it is
almost a thorough middle-class drama, one that is as sensitive to the unwieldy aspirations of
millennial couples as it is to the expectations of its paying audience. Its audacious mix of genre
standards with an acute sense of belongingness in this real world of economic ambitions that are
almost often betrayed is sincerely rewarding." [18]
Philberty Dy of ClickTheCity rates the movie 4 out of 5 stating, "They break through the barrier of
artificiality, and deliver bits of emotion that cannot be ignored. And thats really something, even
given the flaws."[19]

Atty. Ferdinand Topacio asserted in his review posted in Fashionpulis.com that, "A Second Chance
is a cut above the rest, intelligent yet entertaining, and everything is above par: direction, editing and
writing. The acting part is a given, with two of today's best in the field John Lloyd Cruz and Bea
Alonzo playing the leads." [20]
Irish Eden Belleza of Gulf News in Dubai criticized the film's focus on the two main casts who,
according to her, dominated almost every scenes in the movie, and wrote "The movie could have
added a little more depth to the characters." However, she said that "for those in rocky relationships
looking for reassurance that there is hope at the end of the tunnel and, well, a second chance, this is
one feel-good movie they should watch." [21]
The film got 4.5 stars out of 5 in the ticket service site Fandango.com.[22]

International release[edit]
Star Cinema announced that the film will be released in Europe starting December 5, 2015. [23] This is
after ABS-CBN president and CEO Charo Santos-Concio announced during the recently held
iEmmys in New York City that the Kapamilya network and its international arm, The Filipino Channel
(TFC), will soon "raise the curtain for more Pinoy greats at Europes major theaters." [24] A Second
Chance will be screened in Vue Cinemas in the United Kingdom and via other major theaters
in Milan, Rome, Messina, Padova, Paris, Madrid, and Vienna starting December 5 and 6.[24] it was
also shown in Singapore from December 12 to 13, 2015.

Piracy[edit]
On December 7, 2015, barely 2 weeks after it was released, the film was uploaded on Facebook and
shared by tens of thousands of fans. A torrent file was also made available for download and a
Compact Disc (CD) is available now in the market. Different copies of the movie have been
published nationwide. As of now, Star Cinema has not yet provided any comment on the issue.

References[edit]
1.

Jump up^

A Second Chance
DRAMA

Published: 13:02 December 4, 2015

Irish Eden Belleza, Videographer

GN Rating

Language:
Run Time:

130 mins

Director:
Cathy Garcia Molina

Rating:
PG 13

Cast:
John Lloyd Cruz and Bea Alonzo

+ Add to My Gulf News

3

Rate this Movie

70%30%
Eight years after their box-office hit One More Chance, Bea Alonzo and John Lloyd Cruz
proved once again that theirs is one irresistible pairing for Philippine movie fans with A
Second Chance. In less than a week since its release, the movie has already garnered
Php300 million (Dh23 million) from cinemas in the Philippines.
On Thursday, the movie hit UAE theatres and the reception from fans here was just as
strong it was actually the first time Ive seen a jam-packed crowd line up for a Filipino
movie here in Dubai.
While not a fan of the Bea-John Lloyd love team, I have to admit that the two have a
palpable on-screen chemistry. Plus, it helps that they are two of the finest mainstream
actors in the country today and that the film was helmed by acclaimed director Cathy Garcia
Molina.
Continuing from the Popoy (Cruz) and Basha (Alonzo) love story from One More Chance,
the couple have decided to settle down in and the movie thus starts with scenes of frantic
wedding preparations and the wedding itself.
Overcome with love for his new bride, Popoy passes up a high-paying engineering job in
Europe and instead decides to start a construction company with his architect wife. They
dream of building their own house where they can raise their family.
After a blissful start to their marriage, signs of trouble start to emerge when Popoys
stubborn idealism constantly clashes with Bashas more pragmatic approach in managing
their business. The relationship then takes a sharp turn for the worse after Basha suffers

from a miscarriage and is forced to take leave from work. Without Basha, Popoy struggles
to manage the company. Their problems are compounded when Popoy choses to hide the
companys misfortunes from his wife, and by the time Basha discovers the truth, the firm is
already Php80 million in debt.
Theres really nothing special to the story. It deals with common marital problems, which
have been the subject of many a movie before. But this is a John Lloyd and Bea film. Thus,
apart from the fine acting, fans have a certain degree of expectation and excitement when
the two team up for a sequel to a blockbuster hit.
In particular, John Lloyd and Beas films have been known for their hugot lines (words that
draw emotions from deep within ones self). This movie has plenty. While in many other
dramatic films conflicts between couples often involve physical confrontation to dramatise
pain and suffering (a slap to the face is a Filipino movie staple), this one has none of it.
Instead of physical pain, the movie deals with deeper emotional pain and this is where all
the hugot lines come into play.
The film loses steam towards the end, perhaps it was being forced or rushed, which is a
common pitfall when a movie tries to resolve a conflict. I definitely feel the ending could
have been better. Also, the movie could have added a little more depth to the characters.
Engaging as it was, there was just a little too much focus on the two main characters,
whose presence dominated almost every scene and conversation in the movie.
But overall, Molina did a good job putting the movie together and keeping Popoy and Basha
fans happy, especially with the hugot lines. For those in rocky relationships looking for
reassurance that there is hope at the end of the tunnel and, well, a second chance, this is
one feel-good movie they should watch. A Second Chance definitely doesnt hide its
partiality for second chances.
In an interview we did with Alonzo, she said everyone has a small Popoy and Basha within.
And that perhaps is what makes the movie painfully honest, but at least it has the courage
to make us think that theres always a second chance to every mistake.

A Second Chance
Review: Ode to stubborn
love

'It is this tenacious refusal to surrender to absolute escape and fantasy that
separates 'One More Chance' and to a greater degree, 'A Second Chance,' from
all the rest,' writes movie reviewer Oggs Cruz
Oggs Cruz
Published 6:40 PM, November 26, 2015
Updated 6:40 PM, November 26, 2015

5K
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5K

All photos courtesy of Star Cinema

At its very core, Cathy Garcia-Molinas A Second Chance retains a very stubborn
allegiance to love. In the midst of its damning portrayal of a marriage that is
crumbling under the weight of heavy expectations, the film still begs its audience
to reconsider the value of sweet old love. (READ: Bea Alonzo on Popoy, Basha's
journey in 'A Second Chance')
Like the rest of all the romances that have been fed to momentarily appease the
publics disappointment with real life, it treats love as an elixir for all of lifes
conflicts.
In a way, the film isnt really new. It is as old-fashioned as every oft-repeated fairy
tale ever told.

High hopes
Except that it also feels new. The anticipated sequel to One More Chance digs
deeper by candidly exposing the glaringly fragile marriage of Popoy and Basha
(John Lloyd Cruz and Bea Alonzo, respectively). Their flawed relationship that
survived and won despite the intense pangs of a famously hurtful breakup
became an anthem for many hopeless romantics everywhere.
The film opens with the happily-ever-after that was expected out of the conclusion
of One More Chance. Popoy and Basha tie the knot in a not-so-modest ceremony
that is expected out of fairly successful young professionals.

The introduction, which is cleverly played out as the type of overly sentimental
video that is usually presented in the middle of middle-class wedding receptions,
raises high hopes for the beloved couple.

The introductions pomp and circumstance summarizes the type of aspirational

marriage that most couples end up having after quite a celebration that publicly
depicted their love story as triumphant. High with love, Popoy, an engineer,
decides to reject an offer to work abroad to build a construction firm with his new
wife, an architect. (READ: 'One More Chance' sequel 'A Second Chance': 7
heartbreaking lines)

Their firm initially does well, until marital politics get in the way with Popoy
overshadowing Basha, leading to both the business and their domestic life to fall
apart.

Social context
It is quite rare for commercial romantic films to comprehend middle class aches
and sensibilities, considering that because of escapist aims of most consumer
cinema, they usually shy away from mirroring real life troubles.
The primary capital of One More Chance however is its ability to turn its pragmatic
and sober approach to romance, as opposed to the fantastic and unrealistically
idealistic one of a lot of its ilk, into something profitable, perhaps by way of its

being able to connect with the communal experience of being hurt by loving too
much.
The success of One More Chance therefore allowed Garcia-Molina and writers
Vanessa Valdez and Carmi Raymundo to explore Popoy and Bashas marital
woes within a more definite social context, one that has economic failures as a
dominant root of domestic conflict, and not narrative contrivances like sudden
mistresses or other accidental debacles.

The films most sympathetic scenes are actually not the ones where the
characters dramatically wail and whine about their misfortunes. They are the
ones that quietly depict the delicate collapse of all the promises of the
introductions hopeful wedding, the ones that show Popoy nonchalantly preferring

the random noise of his television to the constant nagging of his wife, or the ones
that reveal Basha conspicuously checking the price tags of glassware.
A Second Chance has an innate understanding that marriage is never without a

social context. The films preference in depicting the couple suffering through
what essentially is the routinary ebb of married life, although reasonably
exaggerated for melodramas sake, is telling of the films fealty to the ordinary and
the familiar.
It is this tenacious refusal to surrender to absolute escape and fantasy that
separates One More Chance and to a greater degree, A Second Chance from all
the rest.

Loyal to formula
Despite all that, A Second Chance is still loyal to formula. It still adamantly follows
the motions of a standard-issue romance, from beginning to predictable end.

At times, the film plays with clichs, such as when Erik Santos rendition of Ill
Never Go(this represented the sappy sentiment of One More Chance),
unceremoniously echoed throughout a lengthy montage that basically has Popoy
being emasculated with all his earnest but failed efforts in re-establishing a
connection with Basha. However, the film never really abandons the very
rationale of its existence, which is to sufficiently entertain.
Thankfully, A Second Chance gives honesty a chance within the business of
weaving fables out of the romantic affairs of fictional people. In fact, it is almost a
thorough middle-class drama, one that is as sensitive to the unwieldy aspirations
of millennial couples as it is to the expectations of its paying audience. Its
audacious mix of genre standards with an acute sense of belongingness in this
real world of economic ambitions that are almost often betrayed is sincerely
rewarding. Rappler.com

A Second Chance Delivers Moments of

Devastating Honesty
by Philbert Ortiz Dyposted on Thu, 26 Nov 2015 9:40 AM

A Second Chance begins with Popoy (John Lloyd

Cruz) giving up an opportunity to go to Europe to marry the love of his life,
Basha (Bea Alonzo). They start a firm together, and dream of building a house
and starting a family. Nearly seven years into their marriage, things haven't
quite worked out. Their first pregnancy ends in a miscarriage, and Popoy is
struggling to keep the firm afloat. With all the stress adding up, things start
breaking down between the two, and the vows that they made to each other are
tested to their very limits.
Was there a need to revisit One More Chance? Probably not, but this movie does
get to some interesting things because of its ancestry. All the cutesy romantic
stuff has already been accomplished. The characters are older, as are the actors
playing them. The film is then able to tell a story that just isn't told in the
current mainstream environment. It isn't about two people falling in love. It's
about two people already in love, having to decide if that's really enough. It gets

into weightier matters, delving into the psychology of this couple, finding
conflict in the silence between them.
It doesn't all work out. There are bits of this movie that come out pretty
ludicrous. The myriad scenes that involve their friends feel like an obligation.
Every callback to the previous movie feels a little awkward. The plot detail
involving Popoy's obsession with Calamity Proof Structures brings up fine
conflict, but is clumsily resolved. But overall, the movie is a fine study of how a
marriage can fall apart, of how two people who clearly love each other can grow
so far apart. The movie is really good at letting the cracks show, revealing the
little offences that indicate larger issues. It isnt always a matter of actively
doing something terrible. In this film, the characters end up doing terrible things
without even really knowing it.
And when it hits, it hits hard. These people aren't faced with endless possibilities
anymore. Theyve invested years into this, and had to give up things to get to
where they are. Theyve just got so much more to lose now, and so each
decision is just heavier. Every sin is graver, and all the consequences are dire.
This is no longer just about whether or not a couple should together. In its best
moments, the film is asking questions of identity. These characters are
struggling with who they are in this moment of crisis, unable to reconcile their
vision of who they wanted to be with the person they see in the mirror.
The movie kind of loses steam as it hits its final stretch. Resolutions have always
been a weakness of Star Cinema, and that failing is all the more obvious when a
film is actually trying to tackle something of more substance. But the movie
never stops being sweet and professionally done. The production gets a little
shaky at times, particularly with the sound mix. But Cathy Garcia-Molinas
direction is always on point. And John Lloyd Cruz and Bea Alonzo manage to do a
lot with these roles. The film really seems to benefit from everyone just getting
older. Everyones just bringing more to the plate.
A Second Chance cant really avoid the pitfalls of a mainstream romantic film. It
still rushes to a resolution, and there are bits of it that just dont work. It was
probably rushed through production, and it certainly didnt have the time it
needed in post. But in spite of that, its hard not to feel anything while watching
it. Somewhere within all that mess, the movie manages to put together these
moments of devastating honesty. They break through the barrier of artificiality,
and deliver bits of emotion that cannot be ignored. And thats really something,
even given the flaws.
_