A story of trust and betrayal

Fresh from his international triumph in Small Voices, director Gil Portes is back with another cinematic gem, Homecoming, an entry to the Metro Manila Film Festival. Portes, the only truly Filipino independent filmmaker, gathers in Homecoming the finest actors, writers, artists, and technicians, coming up with a picture the Philippines can be proud of.

Leading the cast are award-winning actresses Elizabeth Oropesa and Alessandra de Rossi, playing mother and daughter caught in a heart-wrenching homecoming. De Rossi comes home after five years of hard work as a nurse in Canada, eager to be reunited with her family and sweetheart, who she intends to marry. Elizabeth sees in her daughter the hope of a brighter and more prosperous tomorrow.

Even the entire town welcomes her with pomp and circumstance, as if she was a heroine.

But then, fate has other plans for her. She has contracted the SARS virus and unknowingly brought it home with her.

Co-starring with Elizabeth and Alessandra in Homecoming are Bembol Roco as Elizabeth’s estranged husband; James Blanco as De Rossi’s sweetheart; Lester Llansang and Bryan Homecillo as her brothers; Paolo Rivero as Oropesa’s lover; Dexter Doria as Blanco’s mother; Irma Adlawan as the town’s busybody; Richard Quan as the parish priest; Allan Paule as the dedicated doctor; Christopher Malonzo as Alessandra’s faithful suitor.

Elizabeth is devastated upon learning that her only daughter, her hope for a better life, is afflicted with the infectious disease that has caused panic around the world.

The entire town comes to grips with the consequences of the tragic turn of events.

Such is the headline-grabbing and emotion-grasping scenario that provides the backdrop of this new breakthrough film from Gil Portes.

As the story unfolds, the universal themes of life and death, of trust and betrayal, and of loyalty to family and country are tackled to its core–subtly and steadily building up into the heart-wrenching final scene.

Homecoming is produced by Teamwork Productions, Cinema Partners, and Kidlat Entertainment, with Portes and Ray Cuerdo as producers; Dobbin Tan, Carlo Ma. Fernandez, John Alonte, and Eric Manlunas as executive producers.

Mike Sandejas is line producer.

Story and screenplay by Senedy Que, Adolfo Alix Jr., and Portes, the same writing triumvirate behind Small Voices, which won awards here and abroad. Small Voices was the Philippine entry this year to the Oscars, best foreign-language picture category. Alessandra won the hearts of audiences all over the world as the idealistic teacher in Small Voices.

Elizabeth is a grandslam Best Actress awardee for Bulaklak ng Maynila and has another Best Actress trophy for Lumapit, Lumayo ang Umaga. She has two Best Supporting Actress awards, for Milagros and Huling Birhen sa Lupa.

Alessandra has two Best Supporting Actress trophies, Azucena and Hulog.

Bembol has two Best Actor awards, Maynila: Sa mga Kuko ng Liwanag and Sugapa, the last title directed by Gil Portes.

Lester Llansang and Bryan Homecillo are Best Child Performer awardees for Saranggola and Small Voices, both films directed by Portes.

The staff of Homecoming includes:

Romulo Araojo (director of photography), Yeye Calderon (production designer), George Jarlego (film editor), Noel Bruan (sound supervision), Ari Trofeo (field sound recordist), Arnel de Rosario and Nilo Alcala (musical scorers), Philip Cruz MD (medical consultant), Rolly Palmes (production manager).

Although identified with independent films, Portes has directed such big stars as Dolphy (Markova), Nora Aunor (’Merika, Andrea), Vilma Santos (Miss X, Never Ever Say Goodbye).