‘Apol of My Ai’ brings kundiman closer to a new generation of Filipino listeners

Thop Nazareno’s film uses childhood crush and family drama to make classic kundiman relevant again.

What happens when a musical tradition associated with an older generation finds its way into the world of Filipino children?

That question sits at the heart of “Apol of My Ai,” one of seven full-length films competing in the 2026 Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival, which uses the story of a young boy’s first crush and family struggles to introduce kundiman to a new generation.

Directed by Thop Nazareno, the film follows grade-schooler Apolinario “Apol” Medina Jr. (Zion Cruz), who develops an innocent crush on his music teacher, Ma’am Ai (Rochelle Pangilinan).

When Apol joins the Quiapo Elementary Chorale, music becomes a bigger part of his life, eventually giving him a way to process the changes happening within his family.

At the center of that musical journey is kundiman, a traditional Filipino song form historically associated with love, longing and devotion.

The tradition evolved from an oral form commonly linked to serenades into a formal art-song tradition, with composers such as Francisco Santiago and Nicanor Abelardo helping establish its place in Philippine classical music. Kundiman also became associated with love of country and the Filipino struggle for freedom.

“Apol of My Ai” brings that tradition directly into the lives of its young characters. For Apol and his classmates, kundiman is not simply music from another era. They learn it, perform it and experience its themes of love and longing through their own young perspectives.

The film also explores how  music can connect generations within a family.

Apol’s father, Tatay Poli (Zanjoe Marudo), is an overseas Filipino worker who performs kundiman and other Filipino classics as part of a band. While Apol discovers the music through his school chorale, Poli has already made it part of his own life, creating a musical connection between father and son.

That connection takes on greater weight as their relationship is tested by changes within the family. The film asks whether music can bridge the distance between them when words alone are not enough.

The movie features several Filipino classics, including Abelardo’s “Bituing Marikit,” Rick Manrique’s “Ikaw ang Ligaya Ko” and Santiago’s “Ano Kaya ang Kapalaran.” It also includes “Mutya ng Irog,” with music by Emerzon Texon, who serves as the film’s musical scorer.

While kundiman provides the film’s musical backbone, “Apol of My Ai” also uses it to explore the confusion and excitement of first love.

Apol’s crush on Ma’am Ai gives him an innocent introduction to emotions that he is only beginning to understand. Through the chorale and the songs he learns, music becomes another language for feelings he may not yet know how to express.

That makes Ma’am Ai more than simply the object of Apol’s affection. As his music teacher, Rochelle’s character becomes part of his introduction to a distinctly Filipino musical tradition.

“Apol of My Ai” runs from Sept. 23 to Oct. 4 as part of the 2026 Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival at Gateway Cineplex 18, TriNoma, Fairview Terraces, Ayala Malls Feliz, Ayala Malls Circuit, Ayala Malls Manila Bay and Market! Market!

Tickets are ₱250 regular and ₱200 discounted, while a ₱2,000 festival pass covers all seven full-length films and four student short-film sets.

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