It has been said that nothing can break the bond of twins, whatever the adversity or the distance that goes between them.
And this includes matters of the heart, wherein both share the same penchants or liking towards what they see as a significant other. For them, nothing is more important that wanting the best for the other, even if it means sacrificing for it.
This is put to the ultimate test on twins gregariously and lovingly attached, as they could not even think of happily living their lives without each other. Ilongga twins Jess (Joj Agpangan) and June (Jai Agpangan) shared that kind of heartfelt intimacy, being there to support the other from the time they first set foot in a school during class opening to mingling and getting close with friends.
First experience
As they reached high school, June had her first experience of young romance with a schoolmate Rhesly (CJ Navato) but she knew it was against the wishes of her parents Cornelio (Smokey Manaloto) and Norma (Ana Capri) given their hardships making both ends meet. Jess was always there to protect June’s secret until June herself decided to end the romance, prioritizing the needs of the family.
After graduating from high school, Jess and June worked for an Internet café in Iloilo City to help add to their family’s meager resources, without even considering if they could ever go to college, given their financial difficulties. Impressed by their work, their Chinese employer offered one of them the job of being a domestic helper to his brother, who came from Singapore and was in Manila for business. Because only one of them could get the job, Jess took it after June voiced her concern about the dangers of living in Manila.
Sad goodbye
This was the first time they lived apart all their lives, and everyone felt June’s loss as she saw Jess waved goodbye on the departing Ro-Ro bus. And it was even more moving and touching to see them blow their candles simultaneously as both were on a call celebrating their birthday even if they were miles apart. We can also relate to June’s bliss upon seeing a returning Jess, who surprised her at the Internet café. She immediately went back to Iloilo City after her employer departed for Singapore. There they resumed work and habitually send back their earnings to their family.
During one of those visits to the remittance center, Jess receives a call from their uncle Wilson (Micah Munoz) who tells her the good news that he and their aunt Cynthia (Matet de Leon) will shoulder her college education in Zamboanga del Sur. She was elated at first but then asked Wilson if they could shoulder June’s college studies as well. Hesitant, Wilson said he would still confer with Cynthia if she would agree. And, after a few minutes, he delivered the good news that they could now both enroll in any course they would choose. Both were ecstatic.
While they now enjoyed the privilege of entering college, there lied the rub: meeting the man of THEIR dreams, Luis (Ronnie Alonte). Luis first had a playful tease with the loud, extroverted Jess, who construed about a brewing romance. But when he met the prim and prissy June, he was enamored and immediately asked if he could court her. Interested in Luis’ advances, June asked Jess for “permission” if Luis could woo her. Jess was shocked and upset, but “agreed” nonetheless. And this led to “cracks” in their lifelong bond as twins.
Discord
As June and Luis became a couple, this further worsened the twins’ discord. Jess would not speak to June, much less be near her. And this led to a confrontation between the twins, wherein June asked Jess why she was acting that way. Jess admitted it was about Luis, whom she liked from the very start. June retorted that she agreed to have him court her, so why was she incensed. It was a verbal tussle that left them both exasperated, leaving their score unsettled.
Because of the pain of having her twin sister livid about her relationship with Luis, June decided to end it, leaving him heartbroken. This led to Luis’ new yearning, Jess, whom he claims he now loves after that hurtful episode with her sister. They exchange trifling texts and instant messages, one of which June discovered when she used their communal laptop.
They wrangle over it, with June charging Jess of using her sacrifice of leaving Luis to her advantage. Jess countered by saying June was also selfish when she went on with a relationship with Luis even if she really knew she opposed it despite her initial “permission.” Jess said June should know she was against Luis wooing her even if she said it was okay, because they were twins and they would know what’s on each other’s minds even if they don’t say it.
Letter
And this further stifled any hopes of reconciliation, until June decided to write a letter about her predicament with her twin sister addressed to MMK. And when MMK indicated interest in their story, a researcher called both of them, and telling Jess particularly that June wanted to mend fences with her.
When a heartened Jess learned about this, she immediately reached out to June by agreeing to a meeting. There they let out all the transgressions and ill-feelings towards each other and slowly arrived at settling their differences, especially when Jess declared she never said yes to Luis. How could she do it, she asked, since he just came from a relationship with her beloved twin sister.
They embraced in the end, vowing nothing would bring anything between them, not even a man, hoping that each would find their own true love with different partners next time.
This endearing story surely captivates not only twins who identify with the dilemma, but a great many others who share the same quandary with a sibling, a relative, a friend, or any other individual for that matter. But the driving force is the underlying love that prevails upon us—how we are willing to sacrifice for your loved one, and not considering one’s own pleasure or benefit just to make others happy.
Love of twins
In Jess and June’s case it’s about the everlasting love of twins, who would rather enjoy their unconditional affection and sacrifice for one another as real family who would be there no matter what, than breaking it for the sake of a person they just knew.
Pinoy Big Brother alumnae Joj and Jae Agpangan portrayed their roles as if they were really close to home, essaying the ups and downs of being twins, even sharing the same love, to one believable performance. Ronnie Alonte showed his promise for matinee idol material and should be accorded the needed breaks to exude his natural charm further. While Smokey Manaloto showed his old sprightly self, it was Ana Capri’s authentic depiction of that simple Ilongga mom, with a credible accent in tow, to really impress the viewers.
It may exude a simple premise, but Raz dela Torre’s direction made it look grandiose with cinematic panning and molding believable portrayals from the cast. This made the delightful story even more remarkable and engaging to the audience.