"Love Child" (2025) is about a young couple who got pregnant and vowed to love each other and the unborn child. They both quit school to take low level jobs and set up a household. For about two years the family seemed fairly normal, but their new son's behavior caused a concern which resulted in a diagnosis of autism. They wanted to help as much as they could, but they encountered stresses. More money was needed, but sometimes work conflicted with caring for their child. Specialized care was expensive. Frustrating that a caretaker received more response than his mother. They encountered people who lived separately abroad to earn more money.
They are forced to make very difficult choices. Inevitably there were guilt feelings and heated discussions about the difficult choices. Their love did survive the stress.
As viewers we get a glimpse about how difficult life can be for some of our fellow beings. It is only a glimpse, but should help you better understand the ordeal presented by special needs. As voters we have a choice to support governments that prove a concern for struggles or continue with some form of the status quo.
Most of you will not guess how this story ends, but unfortunately it does make sense. Some hard thinking went into this film.
Jonathan Jurilla was the director and helped write the script. More importantly he helped create it. He had a son diagnosed as autistic. He felt that most stories about autistic people were with genius exceptions, but didn't really deal with the struggles of parents. This film reflects some of the struggles. He has been an associate professor at the University of Philippines. He has 8 directing credits, 8 for the 8 writing credits and 4 for editing.
Arden Rod Condez was a writer and a producer. He has 14 credits as a writer; 3 for additional crew and 8 for directing.
Andrew Florentino composed the music. He has 28 composing credits; 10 for the music department and soundtrack for 13 including for "Lola Igna" (2019). See http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2024/08/two-filipino-movies-with-message.html
Rommel Sales was the cinematographer. He has 62 cinematography credits, 10 for the camera and electrical department an 3 for directing.
John Paul Ponce was the editor. He has 15 credits as editor and 6 for the editorial department.
Jane Oineza played Ayla, the mother. She has 40 acting credits and 1 for script and continuation department.
RK Bagatsing played Pao, the father. He has 29 acting credits and 1 for script and continuation department.
Jon Tyrron Ramos played Kali, the autistic child. This was his first film.
Autism seems to be more prevalent these days, but part of the reason might be we are more sensitive to those on different parts of the spectrum. Every person is unique and that needs to be appreciated just as we also need to understand what we have in common.
I have done several blogs involving autism and would like to draw attention to two that deal with youngsters and the stress on the parents. This first one is the most popular of any of my film blogs and concerns an unusual therapy, but please note parental separation: http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2021/03/the-lighthouse-of-orcas.html
Another blog is more recent and deals with a school for special needs children which had been sought by desperate parents: http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2024/12/the-mothers-of-pengins-series-from.html
"Love Child" is available subtitled on Netflix.
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