Anita's Last Cha-Cha

Anita is a 12-year-old girl who lives in the village where they adored the saints of Obando with his widowed mother and older cousin, as well as her friends, Goying and Carmen. One day, much to the village folks' resentment, an older woman named Pilar returns from her work in the United Arab Emirates following her father's death. The reason for the resentment is that Pilar had an illegal abortion.

The screenplay was written in 2006 by the film's writer and director, Sigrid Andrea Bernardo, and it took eight years for the producers to approve it.^[1] According to the filmmaker, the [[Movie MTRCB initially gave the movie an "X" rating, likely due to its homosexual undertones or obvious references to pedophilia. However, it was reclassified to an R-16 rating, following a successful appeal to the censor board by her and the festival organizers.^[2]

Marra Lanot, writing for The Philippine Star, gave praise to the film's subtle and sincere depiction of a young girl's lesbian awakening. She also praised its gentle, nonviolent approach and pointed out how it differs from other Filipino films that focus on male homosexuality. She also highlighted the film's rural location, organic performances, and skillful use of dance, music, and cinematography to enhance its subdued plot.^[3]

Heinrich Domingo, writing for Cinetactic, gave a very positive review with a rating of 4.5/5. He praised the coming-of-age narrative and the exploration of adolescent sexuality. He praised the film's lighthearted yet meaningful treatment of serious themes, as well as its countryside setting and expressive performances. Its restrained storytelling and emotional sincerity were also praised, citing a departure from more standard or harshly portrayed depictions of marginalized identities in Philippine cinema.^[4]