Who would have thought of Robb Guinto for the role of Brenda? I was intrigued with the casting choice. And let me tell you, what many, including myself, thought might have been a flash-in-the-pan dramatic turn in Memories of a Love Story (2022), is proven to be anything, but having seen her performance in Desperada (LDG Production, 2026), Guinto is developing some strong dramatic acting chops and more than proves herself here. As Brenda, her greatest strength and where she excels is with creating and delivering palpable anger and rage. You feel her pain. She makes Brenda’s frustration very real. You empathize. But what I truly appreciate with her performance is that Guinto never boxes herself in so as to make you pity Brenda. Somewhere inside her, all along, there is the hope of a different life, almost overshadowed by the fear that she does not deserve it. Guinto shows us Brenda’s ferocity, her vulnerability, all the ways she has been beaten down and all of the strength she has to keep coming back. The result is a story that is touching and inspiring, that really struck me while watching. When it comes to joy and happiness and any sense of ease within the character, there is always a sense of uncomfortableness that bodes well, but on the whole, a solid grounded powerful performance rooted in courage and conviction. Watching the relationship between Brenda and Mama Miriam played with careful balance of trepidation and strength by Sue Prado, shows a wonderful chemistry and watching that develop is something that I would have liked to see more. Prado has this uncanny ability to retain her uncertainty while trying to balance it with the responsibilities of adulthood within a character. While Mama Miriam is in a relationship with Sister Carol (Mercedes Cabral), around Brenda, Prado gives Miriam this new mother nervousness that makes your heart stop.
As Lucio, Yasser Marta is one tweaked out mess. You have no sympathy or empathy for the character and at times, it feels as if Marta takes Lucio so far out into left field that it feels disingenuous. However, to his credit, he immersed himself not only in his own physical transformation but emotional transformation as well. The result is startling to the point of unrecognizabilty. It’s been all self-denial, lack of responsibility, no self-reflection and to do so would probably break him so he just refuses. Hesus, willing to make sacrifices for Brenda is played by Mhack Morales with enormous compassion and strength. Desperada moves at a healthy pace, involving the viewer with a growing case history that gains compassion as it gathers focus. Dennis C. Evangelista scripted a compelling emotional story and director Luisito Lagdameo Ignacio immediately fills in the few options a runaway like Brenda has. Ignacio, particularly in the film’s second act pulls off something rather remarkable in terms of point-of-view; he shows women critical of the shelter that has saved them, almost as if Brenda develops a kind of skepticism. Credit is due to Prado as a woman who has opened her house and turns it into a shelter. Careful with regards to storytelling, the subtle elements work and the film does not feel as if it’s a kind of poverty porn, but unfortunately it lets Lucio off the hook too easily. Critical of the system, Ignacio tells this story interestingly, but it is the galvanizing force of Robb Guinto who catapults Desperada above the heartbreaking level of soap opera with a lancing effect. Even on the verge of mental collapse, she picks up the pieces and moves on gallantly, her face a three-act play of mortal tenderness.
Story & Screenplay: Dennis C. Evangelista
Director of Photography: TM Malones
Editing & Sound: Gilbert Obispo
Music: Mikoy Morales
Production Design: Cyrus Khan
Directed By: Luisito Lagdameo Ignacio
