Cinemalaya 2024 director dedicates ‘Love Child’ to son on autism spectrum

MANILA, Philippines — The Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival 2024 entry “Love Child” is based on the personal experience of its director, Jonathan Jurilla, a father of a child with autism.

Set in Negros Occidental, the drama film follows the story of young couple, Ayla and Paolo (portrayed by Jane Oineza and RK Bagatsing, respectively), navigating the challenges of raising their autistic son, Kali (John Tyrron Ramos), in an increasingly unforgiving world, which will test their love and resilience.

“While the characters and events have been adjusted for a more dramatic and artistic retelling, the circumstances, struggles, and daily experiences portrayed in the film closely mirror our own. To my surprise, when the first trailer was released, I discovered that these experiences resonated with many other parents who have a family member with autism, highlighting the common and relatable nature of our shared journey,” Jurilla told The STAR in an exclusive interview.

What sets apart “Love Child” from other films about autism is its “more realistic portrayal, unlike many films that often portray autism as a form of unrecognized giftedness or genius, where the character eventually discovers their ‘talent’ and achieves a happy ending,” he added.

Jurilla continued, “It highlights the genuine challenges of raising a child on the spectrum, especially in our country, where it can be difficult to raise a child regardless of their condition.” 

“In this narrative, the struggles are not limited to the individual with autism; they affect the entire family. While it’s easy to suggest that a child on the spectrum only needs proper guidance and attention, or the right perspective in treatment, the reality is far more complex.

“When psychological, social, and economic factors are considered, the idealism of a simple solution often crumbles under the weight of Filipino socio-cultural realities. This film aims to shed light on these realities and provide a more nuanced understanding of life with autism in our society.”

Relating this to his son, Oyen, and his family struggles, he said that experts would usually advise parents to be more patient and loving, and to give more time for their child.

“We love our son, Oyen, and are committed to supporting him as he grows, but we also have other responsibilities and needs. Oyen has a sister who also requires our love and attention. As working parents, we can’t devote all our time to raising our son. We need to provide for our family, which includes earning money for essentials like food and shelter. Additionally, we have personal goals and aspirations,” Jurilla said.

He further recalled how their lives, careers and daily routines have been changed and impacted significantly when his son was diagnosed with autism.

“While I continue to teach at the University of the Philippines, I can no longer give my best because my attention is divided between work and home. My ability to pursue my passions has been limited by the demands of household responsibilities. My wife had to leave her regular job to focus on raising our children. She now works from home, juggling work and household duties,” the filmmaker admitted.

“The routine household tasks, lack of proper training to support Oyen, financial challenges, and unfulfilled dreams have strained our relationship. Surviving each day can sometimes feel like a miracle. Yet, it is indeed a miracle that we have endured as a couple, despite the numerous challenges and scars left by these circumstances.”

“Love Child” is Jurilla’s full-length directorial debut and he dedicates the film to Oyen and to all the families who share the same challenges and experiences.

“May this film serve as our voice, shedding light on our journey and struggles, and offering a deeper understanding of life with autism,” he stated.

The movie, produced by Regal Entertainment Inc. and Southern Lantern Studios, featured an original script that won first place in the Dulang Pampelikula Category of the 71st Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature.

Jurilla’s other works include  “Isla,” which received a Special Jury Citation at the 2016 CineKasimanwa; “Tiempo Suerte,” which won multiple awards at the 2021 SineNegrense and a Jury Citation at the 2022 Gawad CCP; “Ang Babayi sa Suba,” which was named Best Picture at the 2022 SineNegrense; “De-Lata,” which earned the Grand Jury Prize at the 2022 Montañosa Film Festival; and “My Boy Superman,” which won a Bronze Award in 2023 Montañosa Film Festival.

Jurilla likewise cited Jane and RK as the “perfect actors” for the roles. “They’re naturals, not just because they’re a real-life couple, but because their personalities seem tailor-made for these characters.

“Beyond their acting skills, they are wonderful individuals — down-to-earth, approachable, and eager to contribute. Working with them felt like I had known them my entire life. They were not only talented but also a joy to be around.”

The filmmaker also shared his “great experience” working with Tyrron.

“He nailed his role. And what impressed me most was his unique interpretation of his character. I provided him with some pointers on typical mannerisms and quirks of kids on the spectrum, but he added his own touches.

“Tyrron gave Kali, his character, a distinctive personality that still aligned with the role’s intended traits. He’s a fun, sweet kid and quickly became the darling of the entire cast and crew,” he said.

“Love Child” gala is scheduled on Aug. 5 at Cinema 2, Ayala Malls Manila Bay.

The 20th edition of Cinemalaya will run until Aug. 11 at the Ayala Malls Manila Bay cinemas, the main venue, and other venues that include Greenbelt, Trinoma, U.P. Town Center, and Market! Market!

For a full list of screening schedules, visit Cultural Center of the Philippines and Cinemalaya official social media pages. Tickets are available at the Ayala Malls Cinema Ticket Booth or go to sureseats.com.