Hello, Love, Goodbye

Hello, Love, Goodbye is a charming and heart-warming 2019 romantic drama movie. It weaves a thoughtful and compelling narrative about the joys and challenges of overseas Filipino workers in Hong Kong. The film illuminates the delicate dance between duty, sacrifice, personal desires, and the pursuit of one's dreams. This captivating story revolves around two main characters – Joy Fabregas, played by Kathryn Bernardo, and Ethan del Rosario, portrayed by Alden Richards.

In this breath-taking narrative of self-discovery, dreams, and love, Joy Fabregas exemplifies the life of a determined and hardworking domestic helper in Hong Kong. Kathryn Bernardo masterfully plays Joy with authentic nuance and depth, capturing both her rigorous daily existence and her passionate dreams. Despite the difficulties of merging different cultures and dealing with the tough realities of working abroad, Joy—an intelligent and independent woman—invests every sweat and tears to achieve her goal: migrate to Canada and live a better life. Here, we see the common, compelling portrait of many overseas Filipino workers who toil selflessly for the betterment of their families back home.

On the other side of the story, there's the dashingly charismatic Ethan del Rosario played by Alden Richards. Ethan, a bartender in Hong Kong, is a stark contrast from Joy. He's enamoured by the pleasures of leisure and the bustling energy of Hong Kong, determined to permanently live there. He charmingly pursues Joy, and through that pursuit, the movie diligently tackles the course of love and romance among overseas Filipino workers. Alden Richards unboxes an energetic performance as Ethan, making it a memorable part of his acting career.

The magic of Hello, Love, Goodbye truly ensues when Joy and Ethan's worlds overlap. There's palpable chemistry between the two—rich not only in romance but also in the perfect blend of their conflicting dreams and aspirations. Ethan is smitten by Joy's wit and commitment, while Joy finds herself torn between her dedication to work and the sudden hint of love she finds in Ethan.

Their fast-paced life in Hong Kong, the undeniable complex emotions, the comedic yet insightful jabs at life, all come together in a symphony orchestrated by the highly acclaimed director Cathy Garcia-Molina, known for her expertise in harnessing the depth of Filipino emotion on the big screen. Garcia-Molina skillfully guides the lens into the heart of the Filipino diaspora’s joy, heartbreak, aspirations, and struggles—making Hello, Love, Goodbye an instant classic in Philippine cinema.

Co-starring Maymay Entrata as Joy's close friend, along with other talented members of the cast, the movie weaves in the individual tales of the diverse Filipino community in Hong Kong. These side narratives give depth and dimension to the film, showing the lives of many in similar situations as Joy and Ethan. With every interaction, the audience can truly feel the camaraderie, love, and solidarity within the diaspora – from the karaoke nights to the church services and the shared meals.

The film’s music and cinematography equally shine. The movie showcases the vibrant city of Hong Kong in its truest form: the bustling streets, the beautiful skyline and the compelling daily life of the diaspora. The camera sweeps through scenes in markets, on double-decker buses, in cramped quarters, and glittering skylines. These backdrops serve as a visual commentary to the complex nature of reality overseas Filipino workers face while building a life in a foreign country. All of these elements are tied together through the poignant and soulful soundtrack that complements the story perfectly.

Hello, Love, Goodbye is a heartfelt story that magnifies the lives, dreams, sacrifices and struggles of a cadre of Filipino workers overseas against the lively, scenic ambiance of Hong Kong. The film draws its charm from the brilliance of the two leading actors, combined with the depiction of profound emotions and a narrative that delves into uncharted aspects of Filipino cinema. It leaves the audience with a lasting impression of the strength and beauty of Filipino resilience, sacrifice, and the perennial pursuit of dreams. At its core, it is a movie about dreams, sacrifices, responsibilities and the unexpected bloom of love in the least likely places. All these make Hello, Love, Goodbye an enthralling, heart-rending, and gratifying film about the transcendent force of love and enduring human spirit.