Finally, the Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival Ive been promoting for months officially opened today, and our second film for the opening day was “MULTWOH,” a film that mixes comedy, social commentary, representation, and a story that tries to link multiple plots all at once. For starters, “MULTWOH (Patay na Patay Sa’yo)” follows Marcel (Sassa Gurl), a queer college student who suddenly dies in their dorm before finding the courage to confess their feelings to their longtime crush, Miguel (Joao Constancia). But death doesn’t stop Marcel from trying to finish what they started. Returning as a ghost, Marcel sets out to finally tell Miguel the three words left unsaid: “I love you.”
“MULTWOH” takes audiences into a story that explores life, death, the afterlife, and the different issues surrounding its characters. It uses humor and timely references to make its heavier themes more accessible, while bringing together a cast that gives the film plenty of personality. The first film we watched was “Patay Gutom, which may be also related to this film. But that’s for another article.
Lets watch the trailer
Without giving too much away, the film takes us on a journey where the characters have to confront circumstances beyond the ordinary, leading to moments that are funny, emotional, and at times thought-provoking. And honestly, “MULTWOH” is very entertaining. A lot of the banter feels current, with references and situations inspired by things we see and talk about today. These moments are cleverly embedded into the film, and they got the audience—and us—giggling throughout the screening.
Sassa Gurl is effective in her role. She brings the kind of energy and comedic timing that works particularly well with the material. And then there’s Joao. Yes, Joao is good. And honestly, what an eye candy! But beyond that, Joao gives the film something more. His performance becomes particularly important as the story progresses and, well, Joao is probably one of the reasons I stayed invested in the film. His scene toward the end is especially moving. It’s one of those moments where the film slows down enough for the emotion to really sink in, and Joao delivers it effectively.
I also like how Joao’s character is written as simply human, rather than turning him into a symbol of someone’s “ideal man.” He is attractive and oozing with sex appeal, yes, but the character is allowed to have his own flaws, emotions, uncertainties, and complexities. He isn’t presented as this perfect person who exists solely to fulfill someone else’s fantasy. He feels like an actual person—with his own choices, limitations, and vulnerabilities.
Too Many Things Happening
I did like the film, but I also felt that “MULTWOH” tries to link its plot but ends up confusing. The intention is good. You can see that the filmmakers have a lot to say, and there are several themes and ideas that they want the audience to think about. But because there is so much happening, the film sometimes loses its cohesiveness. “Medyo naconfuse na ‘ko ‘nak,” to coin Pokwang’s famous meme. There are moments when the transitions between different issues and story points feel abrupt. There is so much to do and show that we sometimes get lost in translation.
This becomes more noticeable as the film moves toward the latter part. What started as an entertaining and engaging experience eventually feels a little dragging because the film continues adding layers when perhaps some of them could have been developed more carefully or trimmed down. I particularly liked the afterlife scenes, which gave the film an interesting visual and narrative dimension. However, the countdown, for me, felt a little too long. The anticipation could have been tightened to make the sequence more impactful.
I also noticed the use of AI-generated imagery, and I think this is something worth discussing as filmmaking continues to evolve. I am all for AI being used to support art and the creative process. Technology can absolutely be a useful tool for filmmakers and artists when it helps them visualize ideas, create references, or support production. But for me, AI should support the art—not replace the artistry. When AI-generated elements become too noticeable or start taking away from the handcrafted quality of the work, they can become distracting. Especially in a film festival celebrating Filipino filmmakers and creative voices, I still want to feel the human hand behind the work.
It’s not about being anti-AI. It’s about making sure technology serves the story and the artist.
One thing I genuinely appreciate about “MULTWOH” is its representation. There is something to be proud of here. The film gives space to characters and stories that deserve to be seen, while allowing them to exist within an entertaining Filipino movie. That representation matters, and I appreciate that the film doesn’t shy away from it.
I have actually liked the Direk Rodina’s work even before “Dreamboi,” so I was looking forward to seeing what they would bring to “MULTWOH.” There are definitely things here that I enjoyed, particularly in the way the film balances humor and heavier themes. But for me, the script needed more work.
The ideas are there. The intention is there. The performances are there.
What could have made the film stronger is a tighter screenplay—particularly in managing all the different issues it wants to address and making the transitions between them feel more natural. By the time we reached the latter part, I found myself wishing that the film had been a little more streamlined. But I still appreciate what the film is trying to do—and I’m very proud of the representation here. And yes, I’ll say it again: Joao’s scene at the end is one of the moments that stayed with me.
The 2026 Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival runs from September 23 to October 4, 2026. So it runs for 12 days, with screenings at Gateway Cineplex 18, TriNoma, Fairview Terraces, Ayala Malls Feliz, Ayala Malls Circuit, Ayala Malls Manila Bay, and Market! Market!.
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