Inspiration, as it turned out, was a circle.
Cinemalaya 2023 is in full swing and F2 Logistics Cargo Movers' Aby Maraño is a huge fan of "Rookie", a volleyball and queer love flick by Samantha Lee and Natts Jadaone.
She loved it so much that she wrote an essay about it on Instagram.
"Ang pelikula ay nakatuon sa pagsasalarawan ng representasyon ng mga kababaihan at komunidad ng LGBTQ+ sa lipunan upang magbukas ng tulay para sa pagbabago ng pananaw dahil sa maraming miskonsepsiyon at ideya na pilit nating pinupuksa mula sa tradisyunal na pagtanaw ng kasarian," Tyang posted.
"Mahusay din ang pagtalakay ng Rookie sa sensitibo at napapanahong isyu ng gender-inequality at obhektibong pagtanaw sa mga kababaihan sa dominanteng espasyo ng mga kalalakihan dito sa bansa. Gayunpaman, nakakatawa ang ilan sa mga eksena at nakakakilig ang chemistry ng mga gumanap na sina Ace at Jana."
And it turned out that Jadaone actually took inspiration from Maraño and the UAAP Season 76 finals between the Ateneo Blue Eagles and the DLSU Lady Spikers. Tyang Aby and La Salle swept the eliminations that year to advance straight to the finals, but Ateneo spoiled their season to capture the championship.
She shared it in an "essay" of her own in the comments.
"Core memory, sobrang hindi ko makakalimutan 'yung after the game, grabe po 'yung iyak ninyo nun as a team tapos sumisigaw sila ng 'Ibabawi ka namin Ate!'" Jadaone wrote in her comment address to Maraño. "Tapos kahit umakyat na kayo sa podium, hindi pa rin tumitigil 'yung pag-iyak ninyo."
Heartbroken is probably still an understatement for how La Salle felt that time. That's when Jadaone slowly had a grasp of the situation, and discovered her love for the sport.
"In my head, since wala akong context, 'Halaaaaa bakit naman ganun yung iyak nila??? Sobrang passionate naman nitong mga batang to!!! Aabangan ko to next season! Parang may revenge plot na mangyayari!' And I've been a volleyball fan ever since."
Maraño's teammate, Ara Galang, is also in the flick along with Creamline Cool Smashers' Tots Carlos.
Apparently, Jadaone was surprised Galang wanted to take a photo with her.
"Baka ako magpapa-picture sa 'yo!" the writer posted.
"Rookie" is about a 6-foot high schooler who’s forced to play volleyball in a Catholic school without a basketball program.
Jadaone's sister and acclaimed filmmaker Antoinette also shared her sentiments after the outpour of support from the volleyball community.
"Sana nagustuhan mo ang very bitin na acting debut. Hanggang sa pelikula po ay napakatahimik pa rin niya," she wrote of Galang, adding several laughing emojis.
(GM)