“Napaka-meaningful”–that’s how RK Bagatsing described his first Cinemalaya entry with girlfriend Jane Oineza, “Love Child,” when the couple faced members of the press at the wake of Regal matriarch Lily Monteverde at the Regal Events Place in Quezon City.
Starring real-life couple Jane Oineza and RK Bagatsing, “Love Child” delves into the challenges and joys of raising a child on the autism spectrum, a theme that resonates deeply with many families. This poignant film is the first Cinemalaya entry for Regal Films, a company synonymous with local mainstream cinema for over fifty years. As the last film produced by Mother Lily, “Love Child” holds special meaning for the Regal family and the local film industry.
For RK and Jane, this project was more than just another role–it was a passion project deeply connected to the true story of its director, Jonathan Jurilla, who dedicates the movie to his own child on the spectrum. The director’s personal connection to the story imbues the film with authenticity and heartfelt sincerity, moving audiences. RK, who plays the father in the film, shared how they approached their roles with a deep sense of responsibility: “Ang goal namin talaga to begin with is magawa nang tama yung kwento ni Direk Jonathan kasi istorya nila to ng asawa niya and love letter na yun sa anak niya na si Oyen na merong autism,” he said. “Nag-focus po talaga kami dun, and yun nga sa trailer pa lang ang daming nakaka-relate kaya parang ang pinaka goal namin talaga is mas makalat pa, mas marami pang maka-relate at mas magkaroon ng discussion.”
The story of “Love Child” also brought back personal memories for RK, who recalled the care his father gave to his aunt, who had special needs: “So meron kaming firsthand experience, and before ko ginawa ‘yung pelikula, sabi ko, dedicated din sa daddy ko kasi masyado talagang inalagaan niya yung kapatid niya,” he reflected.
Keith Monteverde, grandson of Mother Lily, shared how deeply the film affected him.
Despite watching an early, rough cut of the movie without final music or dubbing, he found himself in tears: “One of my first projects, I was watching the rushes of ‘Love Child’… and even from then, ang ganda na ng music, so a lot of our staff members watching the story were already crying. So it’s a very special movie from the start.”
The reaction to “Love Child” has been overwhelmingly positive. Jane and RK have been approached by viewers who were touched by the film’s honesty and emotional depth. “Si Direk Joey [Reyes] lagi niyang sinasabi na ‘walanghiya kayo, pinaiyak nyo ako.’ Kinukurot niya ako habang nanunuod kami sa premiere,” RK shared.
Jane recalled a humorous line she delivered, noting that underneath it lay her character’s fear of navigating life without her partner. “Matatawa ka at the same time, masakit rin siya.
Kasi ang inner monologue dun, ‘wag mo ako iwan,” Jane revealed. “Favorite ko rin iyon.”
Keith was particularly moved by a scene where Jane’s character discusses the monthly expenses and the need to repeat them the next month. “As parents, there’s so much we have to do over and over again,” Keith noted. But it was the Christmas scene that truly captured the essence of the film–showing that despite the hardships, the joy and love a child brings make everything worth it, he added.
As the final film produced under the guidance of Mother Lily, “Love Child” not only serves to highlight her legacy but also paves the way for more stories that resonate with authenticity and heart.
