A fascinating non-Western vintage from the Philippines, "Giliw Ko" (My Beloved) is a lighthearted Musical/Drama featuring fine acting and good music in a period backdrop of Oriental tropicalia. A misguided love triangle leads to a happy ending amidst familial interactions, big and spacious mansions, verdant and breezy surroundings, suited gentlemen and period-dressed ladies, modest natives and stirring tunes. The slow-going and dated style of acting ages this charmer considerably but considering this is one of the handful of films from the country that survived the ravages of the 2nd World War makes this miracle of preservation truly a gift for posterity. The bucolic idyll the film portrays is set in the looming menace of the approaching conflict that would shatter it forever and the innocence shown gives this priceless artifact a deep poignancy. Elegant and memorable this is a touching and tender glimpse into a vanished and bygone era.
Review of Giliw ko
