John Denver Trending is a 2019 Filipino independent drama film directed and written by Arden Rod Condez, and starring Jansen Magpusao and Meryll Soriano. This budget-limited film was entirely shot in the Municipality of Pandan, in Antique, Philippines. John Denver Trending won the Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Screenplay in Filipino. The movie also competed at the 24th Busan International Film Festival alongside other films from Kyrgyzstan, China, Iran, Taiwan, India, Vietnam, South Korea, and Japan, and is part of the BIFF's New Currents section held from October 3 to 12 October 2019 at the Busan Cinema Center.[1]
John Denver Trending was also screened on March 19, 2021 at Filmgarde Cineplexes Bugis as a part of a series of films shown during the Happiness Film Festival Singapore.
In Pandan, Antique, 14-year old student John Denver Cabungcal studies in Sta. Ines Catholic High School. On February 18, after practicing a dance for Director's Day, he goes to a classroom to take his bag and leave. A peer named Carlos Samulde immediately accuses him of stealing Makoy's iPad, which was supposedly in the classroom. When John denies, a fight ensues, and another peer records John beating Carlos, posted on Facebook without context. Having overheard the plan, John learns that the post has gone viral, with unanimous condemnation against him and his abroad father expressing disappointment.
The next day, Makoy's mother takes this to the school principal's and police's notice. John continues pleading innocent, but Carlos argues the rest otherwise in convincing fashion, conspiring that this stems from Makoy's bullying towards John. When John's mother is made aware of this, his bad discipline record was noted. She nevertheless sides with her son, saying that when he lies, his nose swells. The school announces an investigation team, and more hate is being directed towards John, culminating in several students beating him up.
Amid increased bullying and national media coverage, John's depression deepens. The local mayor speculates that he is a troubled teen. The next day, John learns that an interview implying he was seen selling the iPad to help his mother has circulated online. The original footage, a harmless interview showing John helping his mother sell bags, was spliced by an unidentified source. He is brought to the police station, where he tearfully pleads innocence, prompting the policeman to scold him, claiming all evidences point to him as the culprit. John escapes from the police station, flees to his house and commits suicide by hanging. Meanwhile, his mother searches for him at school and, after a teacher reassures her that he likely went home, she walks home alone.
Cast
Main cast
Jansen Magpusao as John Denver Cabungcal
Meryll Soriano as Marites Cabungcal, the mother of John Denver Cabungcal
Supporting cast
Glenn Sevilla Mas as Mando
Sunshine Teodoro as Evelina Pascual
Vince Philip Alegre as Makoy Pascual
Sammy Rubido as Senior Police Officer Corpus
Luz Venus as School Principal
Jofranz Ambubuyog
Christian Alarcon
Zandro Leo Canlog
Andy Yuarata
Ricky Perez
Elmer Yuarata as Municipal Mayor
Estela Patino as Dolores (Suspected Witch)
Renato Sagot as Tay Bining (Spiritual Healer)
Bert Briones as School Teacher
Shan Estoya as School Teacher
Enrique Sanchez
Eldin Labris
Joerlyn Samulde
Akia Buenaflor
Jinalyn Tandoy
Reception
The film received widespread critical acclaim in the Philippines. Fred Hawson of ABS-CBN News described it as “a very powerful and timely statement against bullying—physically and verbally in person, or virtually online.” He highlighted its exploration of social media’s dangerous influence in shaping public opinion through biased or fake news, and praised director Arden Rod Condez for his focused and serious approach. Hawson noted that, despite some foreshadowing, the film’s ending remains profoundly impactful.[3]
Oggs Cruz of Rappler praised John Denver Trending for its timely and direct messaging, writing that the film is “not just pertinent, but also important” in highlighting the dangers of virtual connections in today’s social media-driven world.[4]
Similarly, Wanggo Gallaga of ClickTheCity gave a favorable review, noting that the film “captures a very real situation in today’s world of online witch hunts and slander.” He highlighted the film’s use of an actual witch hunt to draw parallels between historical and contemporary forms of mob mentality, describing it as “painful,” “sobering,” and “a powerful film” that combines strong performances and craftsmanship to create a moving and relevant work.[5]
In a review for CNN Philippines, Gil Perez and Don Jaucian praised the film’s restraint, writing that John Denver Trending is “not preachy at all” despite tackling themes like fake news, online toxicity, and cyberbullying. They noted that director Arden Rod Condez avoids heavy-handed commentary, instead presenting events in an organic, realistic sequence. This understated approach, they argued, makes the film more powerful, compelling audiences to confront their own complicity and culpability.[6]
Stephanie Mayo of the Daily Tribune described John Denver Trending as "mandatory viewing," calling it "a provocative film, sharpened by Rommel Sales’ exquisite cinematography." She emphasized the film’s moral resonance, noting its reminder to be mindful of one's words and its encouragement of open communication between parents and children. "A child should never hesitate to open up or approach a parent," she wrote, adding that parents must not be too busy to check in on their children. She concluded by highlighting the film's message about the importance of teaching children hope and resilience in a "cruel, cruel world."[7]
J. Neil Garcia of GMA News praised the film's portrayal of its setting, writing, "A clear strength of the film is its rural and ‘regional’ world, with its culturally simultaneous reality being succinctly captured in the depiction of communal faith healers paradoxically coexisting with smart phones, thereby suggesting not so much rupture as continuity between the regime of memory and the regime of data, especially where the residual but entirely determinative power of orality is concerned."[8]
Kean Planas of MyReelThoughts.com gave the film a perfect 10 out of 10, describing it as "a powerful film with an extremely important message to tell," adding, "Words cannot even explain how deeply affected I am by it. The ending gave me goosebumps like no other film in this year’s line-up has given me. Go see it, it will change your perspective on life and the world we currently live in after. It’s one of Cinemalaya’s best, one of this year’s best films, even."[9]
Blogger Nazamel Tabares of PelikulaMania.com gave the film a perfect rating, praising its focused storytelling and effective message delivery, stating, "It's amazing how focused his storytelling is... and I applaud him [Cruz] for that."[10]
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