A tearjerker like no other

The story of Babalik Ka Rin (1941), inspired by the song of the same title composed by Constancio de Guzman, reduced moviegoers to tears, tears, tears. It tells the story of a young man (played by Rodolfo Ruiz) torn between two loves, a provincial lass (Arsenia Francisco) and a city girl (Patricia Mijares).

The words of the song tell it all.

Bakit Kaya naulila

Puso’y laging may dusa

Nagtatampo ang ligaya

At laging may luha ang mata

Ibon ang aking katulad

Na di na makalipad

Dahil sa hirap at pagod

Sa paghanap ng kanyang pugad

Kung Batid mo lang

Ang tunay kong dinaramdam

Buhat ng ako ay iwan mo, aking mahal

Babalik ka rin

Upang ako ay aliwin

Sa mga tinitiis kong kalungkutan

In the movie, the heartbreaking song was sung three times (or was it four?) in its entirety. As expected, the young man returns to his true love in the province. A tearjerker like no other.

— RKC