Beyond the Internet

By Ronald Constantino

PEOPLE NEED – Some people, especially millen­nials can’t live without the Internet, losing the ability to and the pleasure of per­sonally connecting with other people.

Remember writing love and friendly letters? Of waiting for an answer via the post office, be it ordinary or spe­cial mail? How about visiting friends and relatives and spending hours eat­ing chatting… without the cell phone ringing?

As a line in the song goes, “People need people.” There is life beyond the WiFi.

NOSTALGIC – Seems gone are those sweet nostalgic days.

Which is the message of “Ang Ba­baeng Allergic Sa WiFi,” an entry to the nationwide Pista ng Pelikulang Pili­pino (Aug.15-21) and graded A by the Cinema Evaluation Board ( exempted 100 percent from amusement taxes). Produced by The IdeaFirst, Cignal, and October Train and written and di­rected by Jun Robles Lana. The IdeaFirst company is owned by partners Lana and Perci Intalan, himself writer-director.

The story revolves around Norma (Sue Ramirez), a typical millennial dependent on WiFi who develops an allergy to it. She is compelled to live with her grand­mother ( Boots Anson Roa-Rodrigo) in a faraway province where she won’t be ex­posed to radioactives that could worsen her condition. Sharing stellar billing are Jameson Blake and Markus Peterson.

Now, can Sue live without the WiFi for a long time? She says yes, “I will have time for social activities…travel, bond with loved ones.” How about James and Markus? The answer is also yes…with­out any hesitation. All three millennials are allergic to bashers.

MOST ANTICIPATED – “Ang Ba­baeng Allergic Sa WiFi” is most antici­pated, with its trailer hitting the nine million mark on social media and still counting.

Jun and Perci’s The IdeaFirst has an impressive track re­cord. They are behind the ac­claimed “Die Beautiful,” finan­cial and artistic success, winning awards here and abroad.

Highspeed asks readers: Can you live in a world without WiFi?