“Her Locket” will be released in cinemas this January 22.
After winning several awards at the 2024 Sinag Maynila Film Festival — including Best Picture, Best Screenplay and Best Actress for producer-star Rebecca Chuaunsu — the Filipino-Chinese drama “Her Locket” will have its commercial run in Philippine cinemas beginning January 22, 2025.
“Her Locket” tells the tale of Jewel Ouyang Nicolas (portrayed by Rebecca Chuaunsu), a retired actress who now has dementia. Jewel is in the care of her only child Kyle (Boo Gabunada), a lawyer, and caregiver Tere (indie favorite Elora Españo), a girl whose real ambition is to have cosmetic surgery.

Jewel is difficult to look after and Tere is actually a replacement of a caregiver who gave up on Jewel.
In the midst of the challenges, Jewel finds an old locket of hers and whenever she wears this, she not only remembers her youth and important events that happened to her family, she also becomes calm and happy.
“Her Locket” is exceptional for tackling the subject matter of dementia within the framework of the Filipino-Chinese experience. Screenwriter-director JE Tiglao and co-screenwriter Maze Miranda have crafted a tale that has combines the familiar elements of forbidden love and family ties, with the spectacle of drama that begins in the 1970s and continues to the 2020s.
Although it doesn’t deny that it is an independent production, there are still things about “Her Locket” that make it a cut above the usual indie. The parts depicting the Filipino-Chinese culture and Jewel’s student days at the University of the Philippines campus are detailed and show authenticity. The opening sequence where the young Jewel is dancing is also masterfully treated and is a symbolic prelude.
“Her Locket” must also be commended for including a soundtrack of original songs, the most excellent of which is the upbeat dance theme used in the opening. (We hope the producers will opt to release the soundtrack on music streaming platforms.)
Rebecca Chuaunsu’s portrayal is heartfelt, convincing and moving. She and Elora are most effective in their wordless confrontations. Rebecca’s iniative to star and produce this dream project of hers should show to producers and filmmakers that stories of the elderly are fascinating and compelling.
Yet for us, the biggest achievement of “Her Locket” is shedding light on dementia and giving a glimmer of hope. It turns out that sensory objects — like the locket that is central to the film — is beneficial to persons with dementia. According to bethsedahealth.org, “The idea behind sensory stimulation is that objects can trigger memories and emotions in people with dementia. Stimulating taste, smell, vision, hearing, and touch can help people with dementia recall positive thoughts and emotions, and encourage them to communicate and engage with other people.”
For the story, production values and message, “Her Locket” deserves to be seen by a bigger audience.