Versatile, unrestrained and face-malleable, Eugene Domingo is the funniest Filipino actress alive. Sorry Pokwang and Ai Ai, but Eugene is probably contemporary Pinoy showbiz’s fledgling Dolphy. I say “probably” because I’m not a fortuneteller.

In her latest movie Here Comes the Bride (written and directed by Chris Martinez) fortune, eclipse, geography and magnetic field join forces to wreak havoc on the lives of five, equally interesting characters.

Stephanie (Angelica Panganiban) is the bride-to-be; lawyer and spinster Precy (Eugene Domingo) is one of the dozen ninangs; Toffee (John Lapus) is the overdressed/over-embellished make-up artist who fancies himself an “image stylist”; Spanish-speaking millionaire Lolo Bien (Jaime Fabregas) is the grandfather-in-law-to-be; and Medelyn (Tuesday Vargas) is the stereotypical yaya burdened by financial woes plus her stereotypical spoiled brat alaga, who is the ring bearer. On the way to the wedding, their cars meet a road accident that enigmatically causes them to switch identities.

No doubt, the strength of the film is its cast’s sugar-and-spice chemistry that delivers what each of their erratically varying roles and predicaments demand. Jaime Fabregas is surprisingly amusing here. I used to think his humor forced but in this case I am a believer. And it’s obvious that Eugene and Tuesday are experts in what they do. At the onset, Angelica’s hyper-gay role had a Rufa Mae Quinto feel. But as the film progresses, hers becomes an original performance.

I felt, though, that the writer’s preoccupation with the cast and genre made him miss what should have been the central message of the story.

When the characters switched bodies, Stephanie is the most freaked out because she gets trapped in her Ninang Precy’s body which is early-forties, flabby, dark-skinned and very Eugene Domingo! The rest just love their new lease in life: Toffee is a woman in Stephanie; Precy gains Medelyn’s suitor; Lolo Bien enjoys Toffee’s youth; and Medelyn accesses Lolo Bien’s riches.

A plot like this is fertile ground for storytelling that makes us realize the meaning of contentment that transcends material satisfaction which, come to think of it, is ever so fleeting.

But none of that in the story.

The moment they realized what they could do with their newfound bodies Toffee, Precy and Lolo Bien set out to find/pursue sex/romance partners. This plot direction is tired. And something must be wrong when we think that sex and romance are the first things we look for once given new privileges and opportunities in living our lives. Even at the story’s resolution, Toffee is condemned to his stereotypical relegation as the sex-crazed gay beautician.

The sole character that showed remarkable moral resilience was Harold (Tom Rodriguez), Stephanie’s groom. Despite overwhelming temptation to commit pre-marital sex with Toffee-possessed Stephanie, he reminded her of their four-year commitment to sexual purity. Now that’s a breath of fresh air in this movie.

I’m glad a “leading man” could still be portrayed in a fashion that mandates him to be vocal about resisting sex outside of marriage. Although this isn’t the film’s highlight, it’s worth noting that this is against the traditional macho role popularized by action stars most of whom we no longer remember (except Robin Padilla, perhaps).

Maybe it’s a faint glimmer of hope for our film industry’s hierarchy of moral priorities but at least it gives us a spark for better and more positive story content.

On that note, let me just express how I long for the day when Eugene would stop getting sexualized. Few months back GMA-7 came out with SRO Cinemaserye Presents Hot Mama in which she played the role of a psychiatrist/sex therapist. And more recently, the TV network paired her with Allan K in Comedy Bar. This Saturday night show should be renamed Strip Bar for very obvious reasons. Eugene’s swanky cougar-on-the-prowl packaging is extremely unnecessary. I think she has to realize that a comedian of her caliber doesn’t need to be green just so she could pull off successful comedy. Sincere talent. That’s more than enough. In the first place, she’s versatile, unrestrained and face-malleable.

Jade

Jade is naturally horrified by Mathematics in the same degree that activities which require stamina, agility and athleticism ruins his day. But far from being a couch potato, he bought a brand new Ab Rocket (for an amazingly discounted price) which he plans to use while watching TV and DVDs—activities with which, for him, either society’s moral ascent or descent can be pretty much discerned. He co-hosts a web-radio show on The Edge, and recently went back to school studying Film.

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