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"May tainga ang lupa, may pakpak ang balita." And in Narinig Mo na ba ang L8test? The wings go high-tech through the use of cellphones.
Gina (Joyce Jimenez), a voluptuous, happy-go-lucky art director in an advertising agency, is
rumored to be an easy lay. Popoy (Aga Muhlach) also works for the same company as head writer and is thought of as gay because of his orderly life. He is basically a homebody
who loves to cook, darns his clothes, does housework and does not drink, smoke nor chase women. The office grapevine starts to buzz when the two have to work together as a
team and at unusual hours on a P 400 M project the ad agency plans to bid. Their mutual initial dislike turns to something else and everybody's asking: "Totoo kaya ang
tsismis?"
Joyce Jimenez's change of image on TV and on the wide screen is welcome. However, she has to
improve her diction and learn how to put life into the characters she plays. Her mannerisms and acting seem out of place in her role which is not helped by an inappropriate
wardrobe clearly intended to, usual, still display her "assets." Pretty boy Aga Muhlach is credible as a straight and clean-living writer. Jose Javier Reyes' return to
romantic comedy both as screenwriter and director shows his versatility and skill in blending cinematography, music, and humorous repartee to create a charming and worthwhile
movie.
Narinig Mo na ba ang L8test? shows how entertaining and exciting gossip or rumor mongering is, and how vicious it can be. And for a change, the ideal
man breaks from the typical Filipino macho mold. He is not ashamed to do house chores and in fact, enjoys them. He shows respect for elders and women, and teaches his younger
brother to do the same. He is not materialistic and is not a slave of fashion or passing trends. He is content with a simple lifestyle and is guided by principles. All these
are but proofs that he is secure in his manhood, needing no one to validate his identity and integrity. His orderly existence should be tempered, as his Lola wisely advises
him, not only by doing what he should, but also by openly accepting what he wants. The presentation might be too idealized to be real but Filipino men like this do exist.
CINEMA commends Reyes and his team for coming out with a movie that presents values in a funny
and lighthearted manner, without being preachy or contrived. Certain situations and language, plus the subject matter make the film appropriate only for audiences 14 years old
and above.
(Date reviewed: April 27, 2001)
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