Camp Sawi (2016)

Source

Camp Sawi is a 2016 Filipino comedy-drama film starring Andi Eigenmann, Bela Padilla, Yassi Pressman, Kim Molina, Sam Milby and Arci Muñoz. It is written and directed by Irene Villamor. It was released on August 24, 2016 by Viva Films.Wikipedia

Release date: 24 August 2016 (Philippines)

Director: Irene Villamor

Featured song: This Heart

Screenplay: Irene Villamor

Producers: Bela Padilla, Joyce E. Bernal, Neil Arce, Veronique Del Rosario, Vicente G. del Rosario III

As much as possible when I write a blog entry about the movie I have just seen, whether it's a super duper old one or something very recent, I try not to give spoilers, so I will TRY not to give a single one, but if ever I do, think of it as watching something for hundreds of times and yet you still get excited about something. Or if you read a book and love it, the effect is so different than that when sit back and relax to watch the movie version of that said book that you love. (more below)

Bantayan Island aka Camp Sawi

CAMP SAWI BANTAYAN ISLAND·TUESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2017

The popular Pinoy Movie Camp Sawi was shot mostly in Bantayan Island, Camp Sawi is not just Kota Beach, it is the different places in Bantayan Island. The only remaining Camp Sawi sign board can be found at Omagieca Mangrove Garden.

FYI: Ang Camp Sawi ay hindi lamang iisang lugar sa Bantayan Island kundi iba’t-ibang lugar na pinagsama-sama at ginawang pelikula. Kota Beach is where the most scenes of the movie Camp Sawi was shot. (source)

The Movie's FB Page 

The movie's CAMP SAWI is such a beautiful place and the come on is, "Move in to move on."   

The central character is Ms. Bela Padilla, who along with her ex, Neil Arce, wrote the original story.  The movie started by showing Bridgette(Padilla) and Chris(Trillo) so much in love with each other. A few minutes later(ten years in actuality) she lost the man she loves and who loves her back because of tradition and cultural differences.

A little later in the movie she meets some people who are as broken as she is at the fictional version of CAMP SAWI and somehow all of their stories are relatable. 

Kim "Aileen" Molina got to share to the world her beautiful voice along with her Rak of Aegis partner,(ahem, ahem) Jerald "Tolits" Napoles. She is also extra pretty in this film.

Cholo Barretto is also in this movie, but this time he is not Kim Molina's better half. ;-) #awomansheart

Andi Eigenmann's role is about making the right decisions and letting go. #artgallery 

Arci Muñoz's role, Gwen, is about a woman who became whole after learning to love herself. #rakista

Yassi Pressman is a cheerleader who lost her young beau to another guy.  She has a side story and because of that side story one of characters woke up from a very long dream.

Sam Milby is the Camp Master who made the rule that no one was supposed to "fall in love" in the boot camp.  Since the current batch of seven people here were all women including Cholo's role, the rule was NOT to fall in love with HIM. ;-)

The topics are quite heavy, but the movie somehow made it lighter.  Even so, one could learn a thing or two.  If not, you would at least empathise or sympathise with them.

Would I watch this movie again?

The answer is yes.

Need I say more?  

Here are some links:

• How to Move On According to Camp Sawi | Go! - Globe
• Camp Sawi: 10 Things I Learned about Moving On
• The Camp Sawi Playlist
• This Heart
• Malaya
• Camp Sawi songs on Spotify

The cast(from Wikipedia):

Main cast

Bela Padilla as Bridgette "Brij"

Arci Muñoz as Gwen/Lovejoy

Andi Eigenmann as Clarisse

Yassi Pressman as Jessica "Jess"

Kim Molina as Joan

Sam Milby as Louie/Camp Master

Supporting cast

Jerald Napoles

Sarah Pagcaliwagan

Cholo Barretto

Special participation

Dennis Trillo as Chris

Rico Blanco as Aaron

Alex Medina as Nelson

Bret Jackson as Zac

AJ Muhlach as Randolf

Tonton Gutierrez as Miguel

Patrick Sugui as Jess' new boyfriend

RJ Padilla as Joan's groom

plus others  ;-)