A Different Takeaway from 100 Na Tula Para Kay Stella
The first time I saw the trailer of 100 Na Tula Para Kay Stella, I really had this idea that this is worth watching. I was so excited because I perceived that the movie will be about poetry, how Fidel will get Stella, and what challenges will Fidel do for Stella. That was my expectation until the very moments that the film is going to start. However, in reality, what we expect doesn’t really happen in real life and that’s what I realized. I would admit it that there had been so many reviews, but I want to share my insight about the film.
Fidel starts the film introducing himself looking at his prepared index card notes, because he has defects in speaking which was seen in the trailer. But, going to a more extensive analysis of Fidel in the beginning; he introduces himself to his classmates and us viewers on what will be a series of transformation throughout the film. People tend to see Fidel as a nerd and weirdo because of his problems in speaking.
By the time he meets Stella, Fidel was surprised when someone like her, who is a rocker, a happy-go-lucky woman befriends and understands him. Stella is one of the people in the film who gave boost Fidel. And in reality, there will be a time that a friend that will come into our lives who has a different outlook in life that will serve an inspiration to us.
Stella’s main goal is to be discovered as a singer; she will do anything to get discovered. As Stella herself confirmed in the film, she used her ex boyfriends to get into the business and it resulted in forgetting her academics as she really pursued her dream. Although Stella heard Fidel singing as she was about to enter the freshman party, even though Fidel denies it throughout the film. Fidel doesn’t really believe that he can sing; but, there was a scene in which Fidel sang with Stella in the park, it started to gain his confidence. By the time Fidel transferred to Manila, his dorm mate Chuck noticed that he had a talent in singing, it made him join a singing organization in his University to hone his singing; which resulted in Fidel developing his confidence.
The film primarily tackles two opposite characters, Stella, who is always in a rush for her singing dreams and not finding ways to improve it. As for Fidel, I saw a character’s transformation; from having no confidence, he slowly gains it and finally developing it. Fidel is not in rushing, as he takes things slowly and knows his value while Stella does not really know her worth.
My advice to everyone base on the two main characters. Be a Fidel, who takes things slowly, develops his confidence, knows his worth, and always not in a rush for everything; don’t try to emulate the Fidel, who in the early parts of the film in considers himself as an inferior because of his speaking disability. Be a Stella, who knows her capabilities in life, a dreamer, and a supportive friend; but don’t copy her since she is in a rush for her dreams, forgets to balance life, and does not find ways to develop her talents. Stella always takes the easy way instead of working hard to know her real worth.
100 Na Tula Para Kay Stella reminds me of 500 Days of Summer. This might be our version of the Marc Webb film. I agree with him when he said that 500 days of summer was a coming of age movie and not your typical romantic movie. For me, it also applies to 100 Na Tula Para Kay Stella but with more depth, because I see the film talks about what pace do we want in our life and that I commend the film.
One of the film’s highlight was its music; it featured mostly Rico Blanco’s songs. It gave me nostalgia of hearing those great songs from a decade ago, back when I was about eight to ten years of age. Still, the songs last decade were far better than these days.
Overall, 100 Na Tula Para Kay Stella is not your usual Filipino romantic movie. As college student, the film’s main message is finding ourselves at our chosen pace in life; for it’s our choice if we will rush or slow things down, as we are the ones who will create our own destiny in life.