Sinungaling Mong Puso

Released: August 17, 1992

The Plot: An endearing romantic drama that tells of a very curious affair between an older woman (Vilma Santos) and a young unhappily married boy (Aga Muhlach). In between them are Vilma’s husband, Gabby Concepcion and Aiko Melendez as Aga’s wife. All told, the movie proves once again that love does not only happen in the most unexpected times and places. It also makes people do the strangest things. – Regal Films

The Reviews: Nagsimula ang movie with Clara (Vilma) had a visitor in a jail, ito ay ang ex-wife ng asawa niya. Kasabay nito’y nag-flashback na ang pelikula. Bakit nakulong si Clara? Unang nagkakilala sa isang disco sina Jason at Clara. Inalok ng batang-batang si Jason si Clara ng sayaw ngunit inignore lang nito ang istudyante. Makikita agad na parehong hindi masaya sa buhay may asawa si Clara (Vilma Santos) at Jason (Aga Muhlach). Si Clara ay asawa ng isang malupit at babaerong negosyate, si Roman (Gaby Concepcion). Samantalay si Jason naman ay laging nina-nag ng kasing edad niyang asawa na si Aiko Melendez at pati ang kani-kanilang mga magulang ay nadadaway at madalas na nase-sermunan si Jason dahil rito. Kasabay na pinakita ang problema sa pagaasawa’y ipinakita rin ang mga taong nasasangkot sa pag-iibigan ni Clara at Jason. Ang asawa ni Clara na si Roman ay ubod ng lupit, minsan ay may nahuli ang mga tauhan nito na nagnanakaw sa kanilang bahay ay binaril nito ang magnanakaw. Bukod sa kalupitan ay marami ring naanakan siya at ang laging solusyon nito ay perahan ang mga babae para manahimik ang mga ito.

Nang bumalik sa Pilipinas ang kanyang ex wife na si Leda (Alice Dixon), muling gustong makipagrelasyon ito. Dahil sa mga pambabae ni Roman ay gusto rin sanang makaganti ito sa asawa at maraming mga lalaki na gustong makipagrelasyon sa kanya ngunit napipigilan pa rin nito ang sarili ngunit nang makilala niya minsan ang batang-batang si Jason (Aga) ay hindi na nito napigilan ang sarili. Muling pinagtagpo si Clara at Jason nang masiraan itong una sa kalye at nagkataon na naruon si Jason at tinulungan siya na humantong sa isang dinner date. Nagkaroon sila ng relasyon at nagkikita sa isang apartment na pagaari ng kaibigan ni Clara. Sa kabila ng agwat ng kanilang edad at estado’y natutong mahalin ng dalawa ang kanilang isa’t isa hanggang sa matuklasan ng asawa ni Jason ang relasyon at mag-iskandalo pa ito sa harap ng mga tao’t sa apartment na tagpuan ng dalawa. Bukod sa iskandalo ay nagsumbong pa ito sa asawa ni Clara. Ang naging resulta ng pagsusumbong na ito’y ang pagkakabugbog ni Jason sa malupit na kamay ni Roman. Sinadista nito ang kaawa-awang si Jason. Nang malaman ni Clara ay hindi niya napigilan ang nangyari sa katipan at nang mapuntahan niya’y natuklasan niya ang sinapit ni Jason. Binaril niya ang asawa at pinatay. Dito siya nakulong.

Maayos na nailahad ni Maryo Delosreyes ang istorya nang pag-iibigan ni Clara at Jason. Ito marahil ang dahilan kung bakit tinangihan ni Vilma ang pelikulang Naglalayag na halos kapareho ng istorya, ang pag-ibigan ng isang batang lalaki sa nakakatandang babae. Merong mga eksena rito na hindi kapanipaniwala katulad ng bakit nabuhay pa si Aga Muhlach sa bandang huli dahil nakakapagtaka na sa kabila na sobrang torture na natanggap niya mula sa sadistang si Roman ay nabuhay pa ito. Hindi rin na-isplika ng pelikula kung bakit gustong balikan ni Roman ang ex-wife niyang si Leda (Alice Dixon). Mahusay ang cast ng pelikula, magagalit ka talaga sa kalupitan ni Gabby Concepcion at makikita mo rin na believable siya bilang isang babaerong negosyante. Bilang ex-wife ni Roman, parang tuod si Alice Dixon wala siyang kabuhay buhay na magdeliver ng mga lines. Samantala, litaw na litaw naman ang role ni Aiko Melendez bilang Ana, ang asawa ni Jason. Halos lahat ng eksena niya ay mahusay niyang nagampanan maliban sa bandang huli yung reconciliation scene niya kay Vilma kung saan hindi bagay ang lines niya ba…”pareho natin siyang minahal… blah blah blah…”

Magaling sina Aga Muhlach at Vilma Santos bilang nagtatagong magkasintahan. Lutang na lutang ang pag-arte ng dalawa at nakakatuwa sila sa kanilang mga eksena na nagtatagpo ng palihim tulad ng mag-kita sila sa department store. Dumating si Vilma at hinahanap niya si Aga, hindi nya makita ito hanggang sa mamataan niya ang binata na nakaupo sa may display area. Kinindatan ni Jason si Clara at napatawa na lang ang babae. Mararamdaman mo ang excitement ng mga pagkikitang ito. Nang mahuli ni Ana ang asawa at mag-iskandalo ito, nang umalis na ang asawa at balikan ni Jason si Clara sa loob ng apartment, makikita sa mukha ni Vilma ang pagtatapos ng kanilang affair. Ang sabi niya: “ Hinintay lang kita, guston kong maghiwalay tayo ng maayos…” Bukod sa maraming eksena na lutang na lutang ang pag-arte ni Vilma marahil ang pinaka-memorable ay ang eksena kung saan binaril ni Vilma si Gabby at sabihin niya ang line na: “mamatay kang kasama ng mga baboy mo…” ito ang pagpapatunay na talagang napakahusay niyang artista. - RV

"...In 1992, wala ni isang pelikulang tinampukan si Nora, samantalang si Vilma starred in only one: Maryo J. delos Reyes’ Sinungaling Mong Puso, na hindi niya pinagtamuhan ng anumang major Best Actress award. In 1993, gumawa si Vilma ng pelikula na ang kuwento’y base sa unang Pilipinang nag-reveal ng pagkakaroon niya ng AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome), si Dolzura Cortez. Directed by Laurice Guillen for Octoarts Films, Dahil Mahal Kita (The Dolzura Cortez Story) won Vilma the Best Actress honors at the 1993 Manila Film Festival, Star, Gawad Urian and FAP..." - William Reyes (READ MORE)

"...Strange Coincidence - There are funny coincidences going on in the lives of some of our more durable and interesting showbiz personalities. For instance, in the lives of Vilma Santos and Nora Aunor. So far it's proving to be Vilma's year (that's why she comes first sa billing). First she plunged into politics and helped win for long time beau Ralph Recto a seat in Congress. Now she's starring in Regal's anniversary offering, Sinungaling Mong Puso, with loverboy Aga Muhlach. Next, she's marching down the aisle to marry Ralph, a Recto no less, in what promises to be the social event of the year, bar none. It's interesting how, the older Ate Vi gets (she's in her late thirties now), the younger and more sosyal her men get (Ralph is ten years her junior, Aga more). It reflects awesome self-confidence, is all I can say. And she's not alone. Ate Guy's career may be on hold these days but, apparently, not her lovelife. This is where she and Ate Vi match points. Guy's new beau is John Rendez, a rapper composer who's all of 21 years old. Wala akong masabi except, wow, what a trip..."..." - Angela Stuart Santiago, Manila Standard, Aug 24 1992 (READ MORE)

"Vilma Santos did not expect that her first experience at the Lower House could be so pleasant. "They were very nice. I was expecting that they'll just tolerate me kasi artista ako, but they even posed with me," she shared. Gina de Venecia, wife of the Speaker, asked her to join the Congressional Ladies Group. Ate Vi said that as soon as "Things settle down after the December 11 wedding to be held at the Lipa Cathedral, she will organize a foundation for street children. First, in Lipa and later here in Metro Manila. Vi said that her latest movie, Sinungaling Mong Puso, slated to open today, is inspired by her tele-movie, Once There Was A Love which also starred Aga Muhlach. I really wanted Aga to be my leading man in this movie since we started our tele-movie." The movie also reminded her of the time when she and Ralph met for the first time. He was then only 21, or 11 years her junior. Vi does not plan to stop making movies, "I'll be bored with just being a housewife," she averred. "Sinungaling..., she said, "is teh story of three women and how they relate to the men in their lives. This is more intense compared to Ipagpatawad Mo. She is set to do two more movies this year - - one for Moviestars with Cesar Montano and Ronnie Rickets to be directed by Chito Rono; and another for OctoArts with perennial screen partner, Christopher de Leon with Mike de Leon as director..." - Nena Villanueva, Manila Standard, Aug 27 1992 (READ MORE)

"Scale of 1 to 10, I give it a 9.9!" - Oskee Salazar, Manila Standard, Aug 27 1992 (READ MORE)

"It is well acted, with special mention going to Vilma Santos, Aga Muhlach, and Gabby Concepcion." - Ricky Calderon, Manila Standard, Aug 27 1992 (READ MORE)

"I realized I have lesser problem in life." - Alfie Lorenzo, Manila Standard, Aug 27 1992 (READ MORE)

"Best actress talaga si Vilma. Aga Muhlach is the best actor of his generation." - Mario Dumawal, Manila Standard, Aug 27 1992 (READ MORE)

"Acting superb. Plot realistic. It can happen to the best of families. Aga's talent comes to the fore -- award-winning. I like all his scenes...Pacing last. I'd like to see it again." - Nena Villanueva, Manila Standard, Aug 27 1992 (READ MORE)

"...The stellar achievement in politics, motion picture and television industries of Star for All Seasons and acknowledged Longest-Reigning Box-Office Queen Vilma Santos has necessitated the creation of yet another FAMAS special award: the Exemplary Achievement Award, an award given only to previous Lifetime Achievement Award recipients who have shown continued blossoming and achievement in the movie industry, as well as in other fields. The actress, who is also the incumbent governor of Batangas province, was not able to make it to the Gabi ng Parangal due to short notice, but she was able to send a video message acknowledging her award. It can be remembered that the FAMAS created a special award for Vilma Santos' portrayal in Sinungaling Mong Puso in 1992. By technicality as a Hall of Famer, she cannot receive a regular FAMAS Award, so she was awarded an accolade higher than the Hall of Fame: the Circle of Excellence. This year, that instance is again repeated, a testament to the Star for All Seasons' durability and penchant for excellence and achievement. Santos is also the recipient of yet another special award this awards season, the Ulirang Artista (Lifetime Achievement Award) of the Star Awards for Movies..." - Nicolo Magundayao, The Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences (READ MORE)

"The film scene is not unlike the current weather - drab, gloomy, mostly uneventful. But the cinematic sky finally clears up and giving us reason to be hopeful once again. We are talking here of a pretty well-made Pinoy movie that comes like a benediction from above especially at a time when every producer in town has plunged deeper into the abyss of profitability. And what irony it is - the movie has come straight out of Mother Lily's dump-site where every piece of film product is beyond recylability. The film is called Sinungaling Mong Puso which, discard its abominable title, is a darling attempt on the part of its makers to raise the genre of marital melodrama into a decent and mature form of filmmaking. The film concerns a May-December affair between Vilma Santos and Aga Muhlach with one major hitch. They both happen to be married - she to Gabby Concepcion and he to Aiko Melendez - and the problems arising from such relationship are apparent from the start. They are quite unhappy in their status, have problems relating to their partners, and now want a way out from the heckling, bullying and, especially in Santos' case, insulting that characterize their married lives.

Santos' problem is clearly more complicated than Muhlach's. She is married to a man who's been married before (to Alice Dixon, from whom he is separated on legal grounds that are not made clear) and who literally abuses her in bed. Worse, he thinks it's perfectly normal for a man to engage in extra-marital affairs. Muhlach's wife is a nagger and whom he was forced to marry at a young age after he impregnated her. Their affair is nothing extraordinary - they meet by accident, she phones him, they began to date and finally go to bed. What makes the story extraordinary is the reactions of their respective spouses to their problem. Melendez becomes hysterical and Concepcion is naturally violent. He orders his bodyguards to beat up Muhlach and leaves him badly battered. Santos comes to the scene and shoots her husband dead, right in the company of the swine that he raises and she calls him whenever he forces her to make love. At the end, she is sent to jail where a tearful reunion between the lovers takes place, with another plea for absolution from their past sins. What makes the film in a way absorbing is the firm, secure hand of its director, Maryo delos Reyes.

He has a nice way of working with the camera (three cinematographers are credited) and even more effective way of working with his actors. Though he occassionally lapses into using visibly commercial devices (such as the effects of slow-mo, freeze frame, and fragmentation shots), he manages on the most part to motivate his actors into giving their best. Ms. Santos is at her usual inspired level (But hasn't she done this part in countless other movies?) though I often got distracted with her outfits, make-up and their age difference (Muhlach is 21 but we never find out Santos' age, presumably 15 years older). Muhlach is a revelation, a natural in his acting even he indulges in pure histrionics. Concepcion has improved considerably and is now at home playing parts like this. Melendez is likewise adequate but a bigger surprise is Dixon's portrayal of a career woman torn between her friendship and love. She has finally blossomed in time even if I do not completely trust the voice on the soundtrack (must be the dubber's). The script is by two people - Jake Tordesillas and Jose Javier Reyes - and it is best with problems, structually mostly. The film is told as a flashback but the device is used only at the opening and closing of the film while Santos is in jail visited by Dixon. But the narrative is not told from her point of view nor anybody else's. This is, however, a monor quibble compared to the merit of the film, not the least of which is its uncompromising view of the problems confronting married people, and the anachronistic standards that Philippine society uses in judging those who violate the sanctity of marriage..." - Justino Dormiendo, Manila Standard, Sep 6, 1992 (READ MORE)