Evoking the poignant realities of the pandemic, Still showcases inspiring tales of survival and the voices that all struggle to remain heard amid the harrowing noise of desperation and frustration.
VIU Philippines
Actors: Julie Anne San Jose, Bituin Escalante, Christian Bautista, Mike Shimamoto, Gab Pangilinan, Abe Autea, Lance Reblando
Genre: Musical, Comedy, Drama
Premise: A group of up-and-coming talented artists has to navigate their lives being together in Balay, when the pandemic abruptly halts the music camp they are participating in
Running Time: 40-50 minutes
Director: Treb Monteras
Watch it on: Viu
Why You Should See It:
Personal pandemic stories take center stage in Viu Philippines’ first musical series, Still, which imparts an energy-infused journey set against the backdrop of music, friendship, and dreams. Featuring some of the biggest stars in local recording and theater, Still delves into the tangible tales of survival and serves as a reminder that a lot of the voices that want to be heard remain alive, and are still here.
A group of up-and-coming artists gathers in a music camp called ‘Balay’ when the pandemic abruptly puts the workshop to a halt. Suddenly, the camp becomes a convenient bubble that keeps those inside safe. But as it is to many, restrictions have either prohibited or discouraged people to move. For the campers who are also artists, getting stuck in a place that does not allow people to showcase their talents, is boring. There are futile attempts to depart from the camp, and reasons to leave keep piling up as days go by, until Nikolas (Bautista) and Anette (Escalante), found a way to still hold the music camp.
A part of Still’s humongous charm emanates from its music. Artistry overflows in each episode, which features at least one original song sung by cast members. Musical numbers under Matthew Chang’s compelling direction showcase the cast’s unbelievable talent. Being at the center of this narrative, Julie Anne San Jose shines through as the talented but self-conflicted, Laura. How Laura is written as a character seemingly allows San Jose to radiate with sentimentality, although it’s worth noting that the actress committed herself fully to the character to make it work, and to her credit, it certainly does.
It is not just Laura’s story that finds the limelight in this poignant musical drama. Stories like that of Sab (Gab Pangilinan), a researcher who returned to the camp to interview her college thesis mate, and Nikolas, a frustrated musician who is after creating his legacy, each makes an impression, too. Amplified by their music, their stories propelled Still to go forward and make it a salient narrative that reflects our own experiences, our plight, and struggle, not just during the pandemic, but more importantly, in our quest to reach our dreams. The series serves as a reminder that dreams must not take a pause and that even if it does, it should never stop.
Driven forward by its overwhelmingly talented cast and its immersive human stories, Still seems poised to leave a lasting legacy, a memory that we’ll most likely look back to when this health crisis finally comes to an end.
Stream Still for free on Viu. Avail PreViu subscription to watch episodes ahead of their regular release on the app and site.
