Beyond visual storytelling in filmmaking, strong cinematography must be wedded to a thoughtfully crafted musical score to achieve what can be called “absolute cinema.”
In the Philippines, we have the award-winning music producer and singer-songwriter Thyro Alfaro, who is known for numerous hit tracks such as “Kiss (Never Let Me Go),” a collaborative single with Yumi Lacsamana. He also co-wrote the songs “Hanap-Hanap,” performed by James Reid and Nadine Lustre, and “Kilometro,” performed by Sarah Geronimo.
More than that, he is known for curating theme songs for movies, including the phenomenal film adaptation of the Wattpad story Diary ng Panget, where he produced and co-wrote “No Erase,” “Dyosa,” and “Kakaibabe.”
It is without a doubt that for 100 Awit Para Kay Stella, the sequel to the critically-acclaimed film 100 Tula Para Kay Stella directed by Jason Paul Laxamana (which is now on Netflix, by the way), Viva Films surely relied on the expertise of the one and only Thyro Alfaro to showcase his original songs.
Following the story of the unrequited college love of Fidel Lansangan (played by JC Santos) and Stella Puno (Bella Padilla), the official soundtracks seamlessly tailor the continuation of their story that viewers have come to love and relate to.
Starting with “Kumusta Na” performed by the young hotshot singer-songwriter Rob Deniel, it signifies a reunion between two people who have been deeply significant to each other for quite a meaningful time.
Like how Fidel and Stella reconnected in the movie, Alfaro definitely wants to emphasise that the pairing is ready to set aside their past just to simply ask each other how they have been. Moreover, the song also depicts an introduction of a conflict in their story: enter Clyde Pelayo (played by Kyle Echarri), who happens to use Fidel’s composition as his debut track.
Now that Fidel has been established as the ghostwriter of Clyde, there’s “Lipstick Na Itim,” which gives off out-of-my-league energy. This particular composition takes Stella aback, as it resonates with her on a personal level when she used to wear black lipstick when she was once dreaming of becoming a rockstar.
It is truly difficult to like someone who feels too good for us. There is this pressure to keep up to a person who seems like they got it all together—more composed, accomplished, and clear goals in life. But as long as you get to that frequency, maybe things might still actually work when timing meets opportunity.
Now that timing and opportunity led Fidel and Stella to meet again, where they are more established in their own careers, it drives Fidel to put together the song “Simoy,” also performed by Rob Deniel. In the lyrics written by Thyro Alfaro, the metaphors used to compare the protagonists ultimately complete the character sketches of what were once college lovers, now hopefully more mature adults.
“Simoy” encompasses unyielded affection despite all the struggles it face, despite the vagueness of its potential endpoint. It has been said that love is considered a sickness, a state of mind where it diminishes your capacity to think or decide clearly. With Fidel dwelling on the idea of a one-sided romance, it clearly paints his character as somewhat problematic.
Limerence is the actual word for Fidel’s feelings. While Stella is certain of her feelings toward Fidel after knowing that he actually writes for Clyde, who, on the other side, is pressuring her to say “yes” to being his girlfriend, the plot thickens for the track “Nakupo.”
Performed by Kyle Echarri himself, “Nakupo” is supposed to be the theme song of Fidel and Stella when things are looking good between them. Describing the fear of messing up in a relationship that he has been dreaming of for the longest time, Thyro also wrote this track carefully for Fidel.
However, in real life scenarios, people are meant to disappoint. Differences will soon come up and shake the relationship, and it’s just a matter of accepting these differences and figuring out how to deal with them later.
Failing to compromise for these gaps is a hard pill to swallow. But it takes so much bravery to walk away from these incompatibilities, especially if it’s for the best. This is where “Iisang Daan” perfectly cues the audiences that Fidel is ready to accept his speech defect, let go of his self-loathing feelings for Stella, and look forward to working on self-growth.
“Iisang Daan” is a reminder that it must be nice to build yourself up when you have acknowledged your insecurities and unlearned your unflattering traits. At the end of the day, all the love that you have given yourself and others will find its way back to you in many forms.
Get in the lovesick hype and watch 100 Awit Para Kay Stella on the Netflix app, featuring original songs by Thyro Alfaro. You can also stream the original soundtracks of the film on all digital streaming platforms, performed by Rob Deniel, Kyle Echarri, and Amiel Sol and Shanne Dandan for their version of Rico Blanco’s “Balisong.”
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