Way Back Home (2011 film)
{{Infobox film
| name = Way Back Home
| image = WayBackHome2011.jpg
| caption = Theatrical film poster
| director = Jerry Lopez Sineneng
| producer = {{ubl|Charo Santos-Concio|Malou N. Santos}}
| screenplay = {{ubl|Anna Karenina L. Ramos|Vanessa R. Valdez}}
| story = {{Plainlist|
- Dang Bagas
- Anna Karenina L. Ramos
- Vanessa R. Valdez
}}
| starring = {{unbulleted list|Kathryn Bernardo|Julia Montes}}
| music = Jessie Lasaten
| cinematography = Julius Palomo Villanueva
| editing = Marya Ignacio
| studio = Star Cinema
| distributor = Star Cinema
| released = {{Film date|2011|8|17}} {{small|(Philippines)}}
| runtime = 120 minutes
| country = Philippines
| language = Filipino
| budget =
| gross = {{Philippine Peso|25.78 million}}
}}
Way Back Home is a 2011 Filipino family drama film directed by Jerry Lopez Sineneng from a story and screenplay written by Anna Karenina L. Ramos and Vanessa R. Valdez, with Dang Bagas as the co-writer. The film follows the story of two sisters, Ana Bartolome (Kathryn Bernardo) and Jessica Santiago (Julia Montes), who have been separated for twelve years and grew up in two totally different worlds.
Produced and distributed by Star Cinema, the film was theatrically premiered on August 17, 2011.{{cite news|url=http://www.pep.ph/guide/movies/8552/kathryn-bernardo-and-julia-montes-portray-sisters-in-way-back-home|title=Kathryn Bernardo and Julia Montes portray sisters in "Way Back Home"|date=|website=Philippine Entertainment Portal|access-date =July 23, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924130416/http://www.pep.ph/guide/movies/8552/kathryn-bernardo-and-julia-montes-portray-sisters-in-way-back-home|archive-date=September 24, 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://www.push.com.ph/features/3243/kathryn-bernardo-feels-pressured-about-her-launching-movie-with-star-cinema/|title=Kathryn Bernardo feels pressured about her launching movie with Star Cinema|date=May 11, 2011|access-date=May 11, 2011|first=Napoleon|last=Quintos|website=Push|publisher=ABS-CBN Entertainment|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110514151848/http://www.push.com.ph/features/3243/kathryn-bernardo-feels-pressured-about-her-launching-movie-with-star-cinema/|archive-date=May 14, 2011}}{{cite news|url=http://www.pep.ph/guide/movies/8636/kathryn-bernardo-and-julia-montes-tagged-as-future-superstars|title=Kathryn Bernardo and Julia Montes tagged as "future superstars"|date=August 4, 2011|access-date=August 4, 2011|website=Philippine Entertainment Portal|first=Allan|last=Sancon}}
Plot
For 12 years, Jessica Santiago (Julia Montes) has been dealing with the pain and guilt of losing her sister Joanna. Despite her efforts to please her mother Amy (Agot Isidro), Jessica knows that the emptiness in her mother's heart can only be filled by Joanna's return. Unbeknownst to the Santiagos, Joanna has lived to become Ana Bartolome (Kathryn Bernardo), the daughter of simple fisher folk (Lotlot De Leon). When Ana is finally found, she tries to reconnect with her family, especially with Jessica. But Ana's return worsens Jessica's feelings of abandonment. Jessica feels less loved by Amy while Ana feels like she has to win Jessica's approval. After growing tensions between the two sisters result in a competition that endangers the life of one, the family is forced to confront the possibility of being torn apart again.
Production
After the success of the television series, Mara Clara (which ended on June 3 2 months later), ABS-CBN decided to launch the lead cast of the series to film, Bernardo and Montes. In February 2011, the cast was announced that the two main characters will be portrayed by Bernardo and Montes and supposedly together with AJ Perez and Albie Casiño.[http://www.push.com.ph/features/2981/aj-perez-joins-mara-clara-stars-in-a-movie/ AJ Perez joins ‘Mara Clara’ stars in a movie] retrieved on March 19, 2011 via http://push.com.ph[http://www.push.com.ph/features/2957/albie-casio-lands-his-first-major-movie-role/ Albie Casiño lands his first major movie role] retrieved on March 15, 2011 via http://push.com.ph However, on April 17, 2011, Perez died due to a vehicular accident.[http://www.pep.ph/news/29122/AJ-Perez,-18,-is-dead AJ Perez (18) is dead] retrieved on April 17, 2011 via www.pep.ph[http://www.push.com.ph/features/3221/julia-montes-is-sad-that-she-wont-have-aj-perez-as-her-leading-man-in-her-very-first-movie/ Julia Montes is sad that she won't have AJ Perez as her leading man in her very first movie] retrieved on May 6, 2011 via http://push.com.ph
The film company then replaced Perez with Sam Concepcion.[http://www.push.com.ph/features/3292/sam-concepcion-wants-to-make-aj-perez-proud/ Sam Concepcion wants to make AJ Perez proud] retrieved on May 20, 2011 via http://push.com.ph[http://www.pep.ph/news/30482/Sam-Concepcion-hopes-to-be-worthy-replacing-his-late-friend-AJ-Perez-in--Way-Back-Home- Sam Concepcion hopes to be worthy replacing his late friend AJ Perez in Way Back Home] retrieved on August 3, 2011 via www.pep.ph In June 2011, Casino was originally tied to the film. However, in July, he was pulled out and was replaced by Enrique Gil.[http://www.pep.ph/news/30492/Daniel Padilla-thankful-to-have-been-chosen-as-a-replacement-in--Way-Back-Home- Enrique Gil thankful to have been chosen as a replacement in Way Back Home] retrieved on August 3, 2011 via www.pep.ph According to Star Cinema, the change in the lineup is prompted by their desire to experiment with different combinations for Bernardo and Montes.[http://www.pep.ph/guide/movies/8454/enrique-gil-replaces-albie-casintildeo-in-upcoming-kathryn-bernardo-julia-montes-movie Enrique Gil replaces Albie Casino in upcoming Kathryn Bernardo-Julia Montes movie] retrieved on July 8, 2011 via www.pep.ph Casino had initially worked with Bernardo and Montes in Mara Clara.
Cast and characters
{{multiple image
|direction = vertical
|align = right
|image1 = Kathryn Bernardo at the Celebrate Mega in Iceland, 2016.jpg
|caption1 = Kathryn Bernardo portrays Ana Bartolome / Joanna Liezl Santiago.
|width1 = 150
|image2 = Julia Montes.jpg
|caption2 = Julia Montes portrays Jessica Lorraine "Jessie" Santiago.
|width2 = 150
|image3 =
|caption3 = Enrique Gil portrays Michael Estacio.
|width3 = 150
|image4 = Sam Concepcion at Rob Magnolia, 2013.jpg
|caption4 = Sam Concepcion portrays Andrew Joseph “AJ” Delgado.
|width4 = 150
}}
- Kathryn Bernardo as Ana Bartolome / Joanna Liezl Santiago
- Julia Montes as Jessica Lorraine "Jessie" Santiago
=Supporting cast=
- Enrique Gil as Michael Estacio
- Sam Concepcion as Andrew Joseph “AJ” Delgado
- Agot Isidro as Amelia "Amy" Santiago
- Tonton Gutierrez as Ariel Santiago
- Lotlot De Leon as Lerma Bartolome
- Clarence Delgado as Buboy Bartolome
- Bella Flores as Lola Nita
- Ahron Villena as Jeffrey Santiago
- Jairus Aquino as Junior Bartolome
- Josh Ivan Morales as Uncle Dado
- Gilleth Sandico as Aunt Tida
- Mickey Ferriols as Bettina
- Kyle Danielle Ocampo as Young Jessica Santiago
- Veyda Inoval as Pochay
- Veronica Louise Bernardo as Young Joanna Santiago
- Cecil Paz as Yaya Minda
- Earl Christian Periquet as Young Jeffrey Santiago
- Ray An Dulay as Berto
- Kristel Fulgar as Froggy/ Luisa Mariquit
- Katrina "Hopia" Legaspi as Yvette
Reception
=Launch=
The official poster and promotional photos were released through Star Cinema's official Multiply site.[http://starcinema.multiply.com/photos/album/459/Way_Back_Home_press_photos Way Back Home promotional photos] The official cinematic trailer was released on the July 30 episode of the noontime variety show, Happy Yipee Yehey. It was first reported that the soundtrack of the film, "You're My Home" will be covered by Maria Aragon, but later on showed in the film's music video that Angeline Quinto will sing the theme song, which was originally sung by Odette Quesada.[http://www.starcinema.com.ph/news-features/news-features-inside/fid/625/maria-aragon-aawit-ng-way-back-home-theme-song- Maria Aragon to sing the Way Back Home theme song] accessed on July 25, 2011 via www.starcinema.com.ph
=Critical response=
Jonry Mendoza, writing for Philippine Entertainment Portal, quoted the film as a "typical Filipino film" in depictions of a family and gives praise to its direction, cinematography, acting performances, and storytelling, which "brings out one of the best dramatic scenes and emphatic dialogues primarily because relationships within the family can relate to." He also gave a commendation to the story's tension, which would also make it relatable to audiences alike.{{cite news|url=http://www.pep.ph/guide/movies/8740/pep-review-an-endearing-way-back-home|title=PEP REVIEW: An Endearing Way Back Home|date=August 19, 2011|access-date=August 19, 2011|website=Philippine Entertainment Portal|first=Jonry|last=Mendoza}}
=Box office=
The film opened at first place with an P18 million within its first week surpassing The Smurfs and Blended in Philippine cinemas, according to Box Office Mojo.[https://boxofficemojo.com/intl/philippines/?yr=2011&wk=33&p=.htm Way Back Home first week gross] retrieved August 21, 2011 On its second week, the film grossed an estimated P4 million, having a total gross receipt of P25.7 million.[https://boxofficemojo.com/movies/intl/?id=_fWAYBACKHOME01&country=PH&wk=2011W34&id=_fWAYBACKHOME01&p=.htm Way Back Home via Box Office Mojo] updated September 14, 2011 The film was shown in theaters for only two weeks because of the new Star Cinema film Wedding Tayo, Wedding Hindi.
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
External links
- [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2018166/ Way Back Home] at the Internet Movie Database
Category:Philippine drama films
Category:2010s Tagalog-language films
Category:2010s English-language films
Category:Films directed by Jerry Lopez Sineneng
Category:Films produced by Charo Santos-Concio
Category:Films produced by Malou N. Santos
Category:Films with screenplays by Anna Karenina Ramos