The strength of Cherie Gil’s portrayal of Rica might be borne of having seen her doing more formidable women characters. Here she successfully works into her character the burden of nostalgia and regret, loss and denial, with wistful looks and long-drawn silences, laughter filled with pain. Tejada’s Noy Tiking as the newly rich ex-peasant was a joy to watch as counterpoint to Gil: the crassness might be familiar but it is rarely portrayed with as much charm. Tejada successfully balanced the entrapment within and liberation from the feudal relationship, and he commanded that stage every time he was on it.