By Eric Borromeo
Gayle Oblea’s short film As The Moth Flies doesn’t just tell a story—it pulls you into a deeply personal and emotional experience. It shows what it feels like to live with mental illness, not through long explanations, but by making you feel the confusion, the pain, and the silence that often accompany it.
The film stars Boo Gabunada as Jett, a young man struggling with his mental health. Mina Cruz plays Tonette, his partner, who stays by his side through it all. Epy Quizon portrays Dr. Oliver Sanchez, the psychiatrist who helps Tonette reflect on her relationship, while Pam Arambulo plays Merly.
At a press junket held on April 29, director Oblea discussed the film’s intention:
“This film isn’t just a story—it’s like stepping inside someone’s mind when things aren’t okay,” she said. “Time feels strange, emotions get mixed up, and it’s hard to tell what’s real. I didn’t want to explain everything. I wanted people to feel what that’s like.”
The title, As The Moth Flies, carries deep meaning. Oblea was drawn to the image of a moth—fragile, misunderstood, always chasing the light.
“Moths are misunderstood. They keep flying toward the light, even if it burns them,” she explains. “That’s how I see the main character—chasing a light they believe will help, even though it might destroy them. That pull between something hopeful and dangerous is at the heart of this film.”
Oblea adds, “This duality—light as both hope and harm—became a central theme. It’s not just symbolic; it reflects real-life struggles where help can feel threatening, and danger can sometimes look like safety.”
For Oblea, the story isn’t only personal—it’s also cultural. As a Filipino filmmaker, she carries the weight of a society that still struggles to talk openly about mental health.
“In the Philippines, we don’t talk about mental health enough. It’s something that often gets buried under family expectations, religion, and pride,” she says. “A lot of people are suffering in silence because there’s this pressure to keep up appearances and be ‘strong.’ With this film, I wanted to break that silence, to shed light on the struggles that so many people are secretly going through, and to show that it’s okay to not be okay.”
That intention adds another layer to the film. It’s not just a character study; it’s a quiet protest, a brave act of storytelling that opens up a conversation many people are afraid to start.
As The Moth Flies doesn’t try to offer easy answers or happy endings. Instead, it asks viewers to sit with the pain, to listen, and to understand. It reminds us that even when we don’t fully understand someone’s struggle, we can still show kindness and compassion.
“This isn’t a feel-good movie,” she says. “It’s meant to sit with you, to make you feel the pain and confusion. But it’s also a reminder to be kind—not just to others, but to the parts of ourselves we think no one could ever love.”
The film will be shown as part of the first FAMAS Short Film Festival on May 3. Its inclusion in the festival highlights the importance and timeliness of this story.
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