A Reflection and a Review on First Love (2018)
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| Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Love |
Most romantic movies ask a simple question: "Will they end up together?" But First Love asks something much deeper:
"Would you still choose to love someone if you already knew how it would end?"
It is a heartbreaking question because, in reality, none of us are promised forever.
First Love Official Trailer
Love Isn't Always Measured by Time
Starring Aga Muhlach and Bea Alonzo, First Love tells the story of Nick, a man trying to move on from a painful past, and Ali, a woman who continues to embrace life despite carrying a secret that changes everything. Their relationship begins like many love stories—with laughter, hope, awkward moments, and genuine companionship.
But unlike ordinary romances, this one carries an invisible countdown.
Every smile becomes more meaningful.
Every conversation feels more precious.
Every moment together feels like something borrowed from time itself.
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| Source: https://www.flicks.com.au/movie/first-love-2018-phillipines/ |
The movie reminds us that love isn't measured by how many years two people spend together. Sometimes, a few months filled with sincerity, sacrifice, and genuine happiness can leave a greater impact than decades spent without truly appreciating one another.
Perhaps love was never meant to be counted in years.
Perhaps it should be counted in memories.
The Beauty of Loving Despite the Ending
One of the reasons First Love resonates so deeply is because it reflects real life. We all know that every relationship will eventually end.
Sometimes through distance. Sometimes through misunderstandings. Sometimes through death.
Yet we continue to love. Why?
Because love has never been about avoiding pain.
It's about believing that the joy of sharing your life with someone is worth every tear that may follow. Ali understands this better than anyone. Instead of allowing fear to control her remaining time, she chooses to create beautiful memories rather than mourn the future. She reminds us that courage isn't the absence of fear—it is choosing happiness despite knowing that sadness will eventually arrive.
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| Source: https://www.amazon.com/First-Love-Paul-Soriano/dp/B0FV7YWMHP |
My Favorite Scene: A Harana Worth More Than Words
Earlier in the film, Ali shared her "Bakit List"—a collection of dreams and experiences she wanted to fulfill while she still had the chance. One of those wishes was simple yet deeply meaningful: she wanted someone to serenade her the traditional Filipino way.
What made this scene so special wasn't just the song itself.
It was the fact that Nick remembered.
To me, that says everything about love.
Love isn't proven by remembering anniversaries or buying expensive gifts. It's shown by paying attention to the little things—the casual conversations, the dreams someone shares, and the promises they make when they think no one is listening.
Nick could have simply apologized with words, but instead, he chose to fulfill one of Ali's wishes. That harana became more than an apology. It became proof that she was his priority.
In a world where people are often too busy to notice one another, there's something incredibly beautiful about someone remembering the small things. Sometimes, the greatest expression of love isn't saying, "I love you."
It's saying, "I remembered."
That scene stayed with me because it reminded me that genuine love is found not in grand gestures but in consistent thoughtfulness. Nick's willingness to make Ali's remaining days meaningful showed that love is ultimately about choosing someone—not just once, but every single day.
"People may forget dates, places, or even conversations. But when someone truly loves you, they rarely forget the things that matter to your heart."
Mortality Gives Love Its Meaning
The film also presents an uncomfortable truth that many of us avoid thinking about:
Life is temporary.
We often postpone important conversations because we assume there will always be tomorrow.
We delay saying "I love you."
We cancel family dinners.
We become too busy for the people who matter most.
But First Love quietly asks us:
What if tomorrow never comes?
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| Sources: http://said-fred.blogspot.com/2018/10/review-of-first-love-healing-heart.html |
Instead of making the movie depressing, this realization makes it surprisingly hopeful. Knowing that life is limited doesn't diminish love. It makes love infinitely more valuable. Every hug lasts longer. Every goodbye matters. Every ordinary day becomes extraordinary simply because it is shared with someone we love.
Is Grief the Price of Love?
Perhaps the film's greatest lesson is that grief is not the opposite of love. Grief is proof that love existed.
The pain we feel after losing someone reflects the happiness they once brought into our lives. If we choose to avoid love because we're afraid of heartbreak, we may avoid pain—but we also miss out on the very experiences that make life meaningful.
The movie suggests that heartbreak is not evidence that love failed.
Rather, it is evidence that love mattered.
My Personal Reflection
Watching First Love reminded me that we spend so much of our lives preparing for the future that we forget to appreciate the present.
We chase careers. We pursue dreams. We wait for the "perfect time."
But life rarely waits for us.
The film challenged me to appreciate the people around me while I still can. To say thank you more often. To forgive more quickly. To love more honestly. Because in the end, we are not remembered by how successful we became. We are remembered by how deeply we loved.
Final Thoughts
First Love isn't simply another Filipino romance. It is a gentle reminder that every love story is temporary—but that doesn't make it any less beautiful. In fact, perhaps it is because love eventually ends that it becomes so precious.
After watching this film, I realized that the better question isn't whether love is worth the heartbreak.
The better question is, Can a life without love ever truly be called a life at all?
And if I had the chance to choose again...
Knowing all the happiness. Knowing all the pain. Knowing how it ends. I think I would still choose love.
⭐ My Ratings
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Category |
Rating |
Review |
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❤️ Story |
9.7/10 |
A heartfelt narrative that
explores love beyond fairy-tale endings. |
|
📖 Plot |
9.5/10 |
Predictable in parts, yet
emotionally compelling because of its honest portrayal of life and loss. |
|
👥 Characters |
10/10 |
Nick and Ali feel authentic,
flawed, and deeply human. Their chemistry makes every interaction believable. |
|
🎠Acting |
10/10 |
Aga Muhlach and Bea Alonzo deliver
mature, heartfelt performances that elevate the emotional weight of the
story. |
|
🎥 Direction |
9.5/10 |
Paul Soriano creates an intimate
atmosphere where emotions take center stage without unnecessary melodrama. |
|
🎼 Musical Score |
9.5/10 |
The soundtrack complements the
emotional journey beautifully, enhancing both joyful and heartbreaking
moments. |
|
📸 Cinematography |
9.5/10 |
Stunning visuals and picturesque
locations mirror the warmth and fragility of the characters' relationship. |
|
💡 Themes & Message |
10/10 |
Profound reflections on mortality,
love, grief, and living in the present make this film unforgettable. |
|
😠Emotional Impact |
10/10 |
One of those films that quietly
breaks your heart rather than overwhelming you with drama. |
|
🔄 Rewatch Value |
9/10 |
Knowing the ending changes the
experience, but it also deepens appreciation for the little moments you may
have missed. |
⭐ Overall Rating: 9.7/10
"Some love stories aren't remembered because they lasted forever. They're remembered because, for a brief moment, they made life feel complete."
💬 Questions for Readers
Leave your thoughts in the comments:
- 💠Is a short love story less meaningful than a lifelong one?
- ❤️ Would you choose to love someone if you knew heartbreak was inevitable?
- ⏳ Does knowing that life is temporary make love more valuable?
- 🕊️ Is grief simply the price we pay for experiencing genuine love?
- 🌅 If you knew today was your last day with someone you love, what would you do differently?
Quick Facts
|
Information |
Details |
|
Movie |
First Love (2018) |
|
Genre |
Romantic
Drama |
|
Director |
Paul
Soriano |
|
Starring |
Aga
Muhlach, Bea Alonzo |
|
Runtime |
122
minutes |
|
Country |
Philippines |
|
Language |
Filipino
& English |
|
Themes |
Love,
Mortality, Hope, Grief, Second Chances, Acceptance |
|
Best For |
Fans of
emotional romance, reflective dramas, and character-driven stories |
|
Recommended
Mood |
Quiet evening with tissues nearby. |
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