The Gifted (film)

The Gifted
Theatrical movie poster
Directed byChris Martinez
Written byChris Martinez
Produced by
  • Vic del Rosario Jr.
  • Raam Punjabi
Starring
CinematographyGary Gardoce
Edited byVanessa de Leon
Music byTeresa Barrozo
Production
companies
Distributed byViva Films
Release date
  • September 3, 2014 (2014-09-03)
Running time
121 minutes
CountryPhilippines
Languages
  • Filipino
  • English
Box office₱110 million (estimated)

The Gifted is a 2014 Filipino comedy revenge-romance film written and directed by Chris Martinez. The Gifted was produced by Viva Films and MVP Entertainment. The film stars Anne Curtis, Sam Milby, and Cristine Reyes. It was released September 3, 2014.[1][2][3]

The Film was nominated at the 31st PMPC Star Awards for Movies for the "Movie of the Year" category. Anne Curtis, who played one of the lead roles was also nominated for the "Movie Actress of the Year" category.

Plot[edit]

Marco Yuzon attends a book signing event for his new book, The Gifted. He begins by reading a few chapters.

Zoe Tuazon is a mixed race, rich, overweight, aggressive, and intelligent girl who goes to a school for an entrance exam with the unattractive Aica Tabayoyong and their parents. Both of the students are highly gifted but are not admitted to the school. Instead, they get enrolled at a more prestigious school.

One day, during religion class, Zoe ruins her reputation when she questions the story of creation and discusses the merits of the big bang theory. The next day, Aica ruins her name when she soils herself during a music lesson. The two outcasts become close friends and start causing trouble at school by poisoning students and a teacher and by setting a booby trap for the religion teacher. The entire school develops a fear of the two.

Now in high school, Zoe and Aica vie for valedictory honors. Zoe's mother convinces her to find Aica's weakness to prevent Aica from achieving this. A new student, Mark Ferrer, a stereotypical jock, arrives at the school, and Aica immediately falls in love with him prompting Zoe to proceed with her destructive plan. Zoe meets up with Mark and convinces him to pretend to fall in love with Aica. In exchange, Zoe does his homework and helps him cheat on quizzes. While he is not attracted to Aica, Mark forces himself to date her. Mark and Zoe's arrangement continues.

After high school, Aica majors in Mathematics at the Ateneo de Manila University while Zoe goes to Princeton to study neuroscience. Both girls graduate with summa cum laude honors at their universities.

Before returning to the Philippines, Zoe and Aica undergo extensive plastic surgery to become more attractive. Both start a career in modeling and again become rivals. Zoe bumps into Mark who has graduated from a university in the U.S. Still furious with Aica, Zoe plots revenge and shows everybody the animated video version of Aica soiling her pants during grade school.

Aica follows Zoe to her house and, as Aica enters, a booby trap almost kills her. After Zoe's several attempts to kill Aica backfire, Zoe finally gives up after Aica almost drowns her. The two make up, but Zoe reveals it was just an act and points a gun at Aica. Aica runs for her life only to bump into Mark who shields her from the gunshot, wounding his face. Mark is admitted to the hospital while Aica asks Zoe to apologize. At first, she shows no remorse, but upon seeing a picture of Mark wounded, she realizes her mistake. Aica and Mark get married the day that Zoe plans to leave the country. She sets a trap in the couple's hotel room which leads to a picture of young Zoe and Aica. Zoe has left the couple a letter apologizing for the things she had done which marks the end of Marco's book.

After the book signing, Marco Yuzon leaves the bookstore. A girl slams a copy of his book on his windshield; she turns out to be Aica. Zoe is with her, but the two have remained the same; before they received cosmetic surgery. The two, whose real names are Mica (Aica) and Joey (Zoe), are angry at Marco who was their classmate in elementary and high school. Marco has always been envious of the girls' successes and is bitter for always placing third behind two girls. The novel is his way of expressing his anger. The girls tell Marco they want him to sign their book with his blood and beat him up.

Cast[edit]

Cristine Reyes portrays Aica Tabayoyong / Micah

Main cast[edit]

Supporting cast[edit]

Guest cast[edit]

  • Alliya Fatima dela Riva as young Aica Tabayoyong / Micah
  • Kevin Remo as young Mark Ferrer / Marco Yuzon
  • Abby Bautista as young Zoe Tuazon / Joey
  • Ashley "Petra Mahalimuyak" Rivera
  • Shehyee Ongkiko as Batchmate
  • Irish Den Lanting
  • Van Dyke Atienza as Taho vendor

Awards and nominations[edit]

Award Category Recipient Result Ref
31st PMPC Star Awards for Movies Movie of the Year The Gifted Nominated [4]
Movie Actress of the Year Anne Curtis Nominated [5]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Coming soon: 'Annekapal' concert series; Latest Philippine Headlines, Breaking News, Video, Analysis, Features". ABS-CBN News. February 19, 2014. Retrieved December 22, 2011.
  2. ^ "Cristine speaks up about Rayver's new rumored romance". ABS-CBN Corporation News. Retrieved November 18, 2013.
  3. ^ "Cristine Reyes Talks About Derek Ramsay Breakup & Nine Hot Love Scenes With Gabby Concepcion". Retrieved November 18, 2013.
  4. ^ Jimenez, Joyce. "Check out the nominees of the 31st PMPC Star Awards for Movies". Philstar.com. Retrieved August 17, 2021.
  5. ^ "Star Awards for Movies 2015: Nora, Cherie, Eugene, Aiko, Anne, Toni, Jennylyn for Best Actress". PEP.ph. Retrieved August 17, 2021.

External links[edit]