PLAYGIRL (Mel Chionglo, w/English subs 1981)
The oldest profession among women was given a dose of optimism on celluloid from the mother and daughter team of the late Charito Solis and Gina Alajar. From its original title of MISERICORDIA to PLAYGIRL because of the producer's whim, Mel Chionglo's underrated salvo is not bad at all, can be in the league of his other collaboration with Ricky Lee, SINNER OR SAINT and BOMBA ARIENDA. Charito Solis always rise above the material whether playing a prostitute or the suffering mother, same with Gina Alajar with her competent performance. Chionglo's visual flair as a production designer is always evident in some of the best movies that came out in the 70's and 80's....ITIM, INA KAPATID ANAK, GUMISING KA MARUJA, TEMPTATION ISLAND. Max Jocson's musical score is always haunting, brimming with tunes that suits best the atmosphere of the movie. I miss the man and wish he would return doing musical scores again in movies. With such a thin plot, PLAYGIRL is mixed with social issues and will try to arouse your senses.