MANILA, Philippines – It has one unabashed goal: to make viewers cry.

In “Yesterday Today Tomorrow” that had its premiere on Dec. 20 at SM Megamall, the characters in the story find their lives and relationships with loved ones unravel following a massive earthquake that hit the metro. Priorities are questioned, the past is dredged up, dark secrets are revealed…it’s a chaotic Christmas if these were happening in the here and now.

The only straight-on drama in this year’s Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), the Regal Multimedia, Inc.’s entry is a chokful of conflicts that seem to have no resolution, or at least ones that would’ve turned this movie into a predictable one. It’s not all happy ending (define ‘happy?’) except, perhaps, for drama fans who are treated to one highlight scene after another as only the stellar and awarded cast members can provide. This Jun Lana-helmed opus will have some people thinking, “I’m so glad my life isn’t as complicated as theirs” or as Bono growled in “Do They Know It’s Christmas?”: “Well, tonight thank God it’s them instead of you!”

But seriously, it will be hard to miss the fact that this film is an acting vehicle for many of its cast members. The saucy lines of Maricel Soriano, the anguish of Jericho Rosales, the despair of Lovi Poe are things that people will remember long after the film festival has wrapped up. Add the fact that it’s been awhile since Maricel and Gabby have done a movie together makes “Yesterday Today Tomorrow” worth seeing.

We note the rise of Paulo Avelino as heartthrob as gauged by how girls and gays swooned and shrieked whenever he would appear on screen (especially when half-naked). His acting prowess has improved, too, especially in that part when he mercilessly hit—-you have to see it for yourself.

Solenn Heussaff’s role, surprisingly, gave her enough room to flex her acting muscles. If she could improve on her Filipino more, then she has a chance of becoming one of the better actresses of her generation.

Watch out for that scene in which Jericho breaks down while clutching his lifeless child in his arms while Lovi Poe looks on, torn between guilt and grief. Her eyes show no histrionic but her eyes speak volumes.

Agot Isidro’s shining moments were in her confrontation scene with Dennis Trillo and her confession to Ronaldo Valdez.

Maricel and Gabby’s moment was at the hospital  with Eula Caballero. We deign not to reveal the story because the rollercoaster ride is the journey more important than the final stop.

“Yesterday Today Tomorrow” opens on Dec. 25.

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