This film was definitely difficult to watch as it very well could have been true in its time and place. It begins on a very frivolous tone that gives the viewers a baseline as to how shallow and predatory the entertainment industry is in any culture. The fact this is set in the Philippines, a country where human life is cheap and expendable, underscores the logical direction that this industry can (and does) take. The lead actors are superb in their roles and despite the tone come off as extremely sympathetic. The entire film does an excellent job of illustrating how power is abused in a society where willing participants simply look the other way when it is to their immediate benefit.