Nerisa G. Cabral's Bukas Luluhod Ang Mga Tala (1984) Parental Guidance

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Copied and pasted from imdb:
A Singer Who Rises From Rags To Riches Must Regain Back Whatever She Has And To Turn The Tables Upon Those Who Have Wronged Her.She Promised That When She And Her Family Rises From Poverty,Discontent,And Oppression She Must Confront The Stars Of Her Pasts And Make Them Kneel Before Her.However Things Are Coming To A Change When Her Stepfather Is Killed By A Dog.And Even Her Brother Who Is Unjustly Accused Of A Crime That He Never Commits.She Will Meet A Young Boy Who Discovered Her And Will Help Her Overcome The Obstacles,Intrigues,Traps,And Even The Stars Which Will Tear Them Apart.

I was in High School when I first saw this film, and it was the talk of the town.  People were raving about the songs and the acting.  People were praising Tommy Abuel's portrayal of Ador, and some thought Pilar Pilapil's role, Monica, was unbelievable, but they weren't saying Ms. Pilapil didn't do her job well, for she did more than well.  It's just that she was almost pure evil, but thankfully there was some redeeming factor.    

After singing Tubig At Langis(1980---Sharon's first George Canseco song), Sharon Cuneta's voice jumped from sounding cute to a very sultry type of singer.  Since then her voice matured and became more melodic than ever.  She has also honed her craft in acting, and she has proven, during that time, that she was more than a poor little rich girl.  She could also be convincingly poor that worked  to get herself and her family out of the slums.

Raymond Lauchengco still spoke a little bit like a rich boy, but he acted so well that it was overlooked.  

Lani Mercado and Eula Valdez were perfect as the evil half sisters.

Rey "PJ" Abellana did his part well too.  Besides being the two sisters(Alicia and Rebecca)' "object" of affection, he was also a good voice of reason for Rebecca, along with Rebecca's mom, Fidela(I loved Gina Pareño's depiction of her).

Eddie Rodriguez, I think, was sort of typecast as someone a rich person gets interested in and marries(or someone who is about to go bankrupt and is saved by a rich heiress or something), but he either has a poor wife or a poor lover.  

Timmy Diwa did good as Ricky...Ricky was just trying to be Monette's knight in shining armor, so we cannot really hate this character.

Janet Giron and Charlon Davao acted like seasoned actors at their respective young ages.

Vangie Labalan, Manny Castañeda, Cris Daluz and the rest of the troop helped make the movie beautiful.

There were many heartbreaking scenes, but there were light moments too.

What else?  Oh, that's right!  There were continuity problems that I didn't notice back then, but so what?  It's still one of the best movies produced by Viva Films in the 1980s.  The lessons(Say NO to illegal drugs; it is better to give than to receive, mercy and compassion; revenge is NEVER sweet; those who have the gravest sin and are forgiven are the most grateful and you can never truly love if there's hate in your heart) the morals(almost the same with the lessons---the mother "here" named Monica taught her daughters to look down on people, filling them with hate and misguided values thankfully, Fidela and her husband Ador inculcated their children to love God, be compassionate and forgiving), the acting(great actors were hired and they truly immersed in their roles)...true, there were...I mean, there are lots of cheesy lines, but in toto it is a truly unforgettable thirty-four year old film.

Directed by 
Emmanuel H. Borlaza

Writing Credits (in alphabetical order)  
Nerissa Cabral ... (story)
Jose N. Carreon ... (screenplay) (as Jose Carreon)
Orlando Nadres ... (screenplay)

Sharon Cuneta as Rebecca Rios
Eddie Rodriguez as Roman Estrella
Raymond Lauchengco as Jun Rios
Lani Mercado as Alicia Estrella
Eula Valdez as Monette Estrella
Janet "Elisa"(of YAGIT fame) Giron as  Young Rebecca
Rey 'PJ' Abellana(of ANNA LIZA fame)   as Dante
Gina Pareño as Fidela Rios
Tommy Abuel as Ador Rios
Manny Castañeda as Bing
Vangie Labalan as Pining
Charlon Davao as Young Jun
Jennifer Sevilla as Young Alicia
Romeo Rivera as the family lawyer
Cris Daluz as one of the good neighbors
Timmy Diwa as Ricky, boyfriend of Monette


and 

Ms. Pilar Pilapil as Monica Estrella

Cameos:

Christopher De Leon 
Robert Campos
Rod Navarro
Tito O. Mina
Mary Walter
The German Shepherd who acted his part as an angry dog who killed Ador



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