ORTIGASCINEMAS

Before Ngo met Tasha, his life was already shaped by hard work,  devotion, and struggles.  Ngo is a hardworking young man who helps his mother queen run their small burger stand. With a loyal group of friends, most of whom shared conditions similar to his, he spends his free time volunteering at the cleft lip and palate foundation, a place committed to supporting people like them.   In the foundation, Ngo meets his first love, Scarlet. Ngo courts Scarlet. His friends help him in preparing for his date with Scarlet. But trouble soon follows as Scarlet’s family disapproves of Ngo because of his condition. Their prejudice against Ngo is so strong.  On the night of their first date, Scarlet’s brothers physically assault him to keep him away from their sister.  The incident shatters Ngo’s confidence. Old insecurities resurface, and he begins distancing himself from his friends who genuinely cared for him; and because of this, they get upset and hurt. Scarlet tells Ngo to stop courting her, saying if he cannot love himself, how can he truly love her. As bitterness creeps in, he convinces himself that the world is cruel and has no place for someone like him.  But life has a lesson waiting. In time, Ngo realizes that he has been overlooking the good in his life. The love, support, and acceptance of his mother and friends,  which has always been within his reach.