Stray Cats / MGA PUSANG GALA 2005

Best friends and hopeless romantics (Ricky Davao) and (Irma Adlawan) cope with difficult relationships in this comic drama from the Philippines that highlights the special bond between gay men and straight women. As it tries to tame his confusing male friend, Dom (Lauren Novero), who sometimes says he’s straight, Martha deals with the frustrations of her long-standing relationship with Steve (Reggie Curley).

Mga Pusang Gala has heartfelt and gripping emotions that transcend to the screen onto the audience. Because the characters were realistically portrayed, one can’t help but relate to them in one way or the other. One will also smile and react because of the crisp dialogues and the situations that seem too familiar to ignore. The way the story was presented maybe an exaggeration but it never fails to speak to us as if reminding us that we all have been there.

What was best about the film was that it leaves no room for moral judgment. The characters were painted in all its vivid colors. Take them as they are. Love ‘em or hate ‘em, it’s up to you. But one could never doubt how complicated (or uncomplicated) relationships could be. There are no easy ways through it and out of it.

Mga Pusang Gala follows a parallel story between two single and aging gay man and a woman who yearn for a full-time commitment from the men in their lives. It is led by Ricky Davao and Irma Adlawan.

Ellen said that this is her statement on the bold genre. Funny, though, that I never saw this as a “bold” film if it relates to the occasional sex scenes in the movie. Sex is nothing but a part of what being human is all about. But if bold meant that it dares to tackle the inner feelings and digs deeper into the psyche of a person in love (and not in love) without pretensions, then, it is bold!

Additional Information

Director: Ellen Ongkeko-Marfil

Writers: Jun Lana & Rody Vera

Company: Ariztical Ent.

Release Year: 2005

Country: Philippines

Language: Filipino, Tagalog, Engl.

Subtitle: English (Hardcoded)

Genre: Comedy, Drama, Fantasy

Runtime: 80 min

Cast:

Ricky Davao