Directed by Prime Cruz (Sleepless and Ang Manananggal sa Unit 23B), Isa Pa, with Feelings is the first Filipino feature-length film to interpret Filipino Sign Language and artistically portray the Deaf.

Resident indie film superstar Carlo Aquino, who also acted in Black Sheep’s theatrical debut Exes Baggage (2018), is Gali; a promising young man who is Deaf. Mara, portrayed by Benilde Culinary Arts alumna Maine Mendoza, is Gali’s bubbly neighbor who later becomes his sign language student. This film shows the highs and lows of a budding relationship and how communication barriers become a motivation to put effort into a relationship.

Blistering show of emotions

Aside from highlighting a Deaf individual’s situation, the film stands out as it depicts the relationship between Gali and Mara as equals. Gali’s deafness was not treated as a hindrance to be pitied for sole characteristic; rather, it was treated as part of the character’s identity.

Aquino and Mendoza have a natural on-screen dynamic. Their respective portrayals of Gali and Mara were effective enough to show powerful emotions and realism.

Mendoza, who gained fame for her Dubsmash videos a few years back, somehow struggles in the delivery of lines but redeems herself in the strength of her facial emotions. On the other hand, Aquino shows a sense of realism as he effectively characterized the role of the Deaf, all while effectively using sign language.

An opportunity to be heard

The film’s cast features Jonathan Sy, the first Deaf alumnus of Benilde’s Industrial Design program.

In an online interview with The Benildean, Sy said what he found notable about the whole experience was “Many Deaf people [were using] natural sign language during the film shooting.”

Portraying the hard-of-hearing character Kelvin, Sy said Cruz had put much thought into the context of the Deaf community, in putting Isa Pa, With Feelings together.

“He researched [on] Deaf people and hearing people for one year and five months [and compared] the hearing culture and Deaf culture, how [the Deaf] feels vibration [to] sense and hear sound,” Sy said via Messenger.

In addition, Sy garnered best thesis for “Design of an Assistive Driving Device for Filipino Deaf Drivers.” VibraCollar is a wearable device that assists Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing people when driving by translating nearby sounds into vibrations and acting as a heart rate monitor.

Overall, the film still had its flaws. Isa Pa, With Feelings had many plot points early in the film which were not given proper closure. However, this was offset by the visual storytelling put into it which is one of the strengths of the film. Gali’s perspective was told using a spectacular use of lighting, text, and sound variation; giving a glimpse into the difficulties that the Deaf experience on a daily basis.

Premiered last October 16, Isa Pa, with Feelings continues to break through and find an audience in selected cinemas nationwide.