This has got to be one of the most endearing, charming and poignant films of 2012. It's not your typical commercial Filipino movie which is often high on melodrama and low on subtlety. The first 10-15 minutes start a little slow, but then the story picks up and it quickly becomes utterly engaging and lovely up to the very end. This could have a very syrupy sentimental film but it's not. In this alternately funny and moving drama set in postcard-like rural Philippines, Eddie Garcia gives a towering performance, probably the best of his career, in a searing character study of an old man in his twilight years who has secluded himself from the world but eventually learns to live again due to his friendship with a stray dog. I was lucky to catch a screening at the Palm Springs International FIlm Festival with a packed audience in attendance. Believe me, not an eye was left dry when the film was concluded. Truly a fantastic film.