Today’s generation has been dealing with a lot of issues. Aside from what’s happening in our country, their personal struggles have been intensified with the growing issues of teenage pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, mental health problems, and more.
That’s why the Puso Movement is responding to these issues with a reminder to not just the youth, but to everyone to take their time.
“Wait Muna” is a cinematic intervention that tackles modern social crises by centering on the power of informed choices and self-worth. By grounding its message in the lived experiences of a generation under pressure, the film champions responsibility and the value of waiting, transforming a vital advocacy into a resonant, human story.
When you use audiovisual storytelling to push an advocacy, it tends to be preachy at times. You might send the message clearly, but the effect on the audience will be less impactful. How do you bridge the gap between education and engagement without losing the soul of the story?
“Nung tinanggap ko ‘tong project na ‘to, ‘yun talaga ang nasa isip ko na dapat hindi siya preachy kasi allergic ang ibang manonood natin, eh. Kapag nilagay mo na ‘yung may ‘Lord’ o ano, baka patayan ka ng cellphone or lumipat ng ibang panonoorin. Dito, kung anong normal kilos lang ng kabataan, kung paano sila magsalita, kumbaga, sinusunod lang namin ‘yung flow ng story,” director Jojo Nadela shares.
“Mahirap, kasi as a nanay, kung ako lang, gusto ko talagang mag-preach. Gusto kong sabihing eto, eto, kasi napagdaanan ko na ‘yan, alam ko na ‘yan, meron na akong balon ng experience na eto ang consequences. So, it was difficult. I had to take it to the Lord, I had pray every single time na haharap ako sa laptop ko para magsulat. Kaya nung nag-meeting kami nina pastora, sabi niya, ‘dapat hindi mawala ‘yung kilig para makita din nila ‘yung joy of falling in love, magka-crush, so dapat nandun ‘yan. And nung dumating na dun sa bandang episode 3 na, eto na, eto na ‘yung kailangang sabihin ng magulang kung ano ang pwedeng mangyari, doon, tina-try ko talaga na hindi siya maging preachy. How would I balance this, I would talk to God pero hindi ‘yung tipong nagpi-preach ka na. I’d like to think na na-achieve naman siya by God’s grace – the kilig, the love, the message,” writer Anna Aleta Nadela continues.
But for Gen Zs Althea Ablan and Zyren dela Cruz, what are their reactions to the issues being tackled in their film ‘Wait Muna’?
“Siyempre sa mga issues about sa kabataan, nakakalungkot kasi lumalaki, tumataas ‘yung cases ng AIDS, ng teenage pregnancy, I think this film, makakatulong din talaga siya sa maraming kabataan, also for me, kasi nag-self reflect talaga ako after ko mag-shoot at mabasa ang script. Sobrang laking tulong nito sa akin as a person,” Zyren answers.
“Ako, kukunin ko dun sa title na ‘Wait Muna,’ na hindi natin mamadaliin ang lahat ng bagay. Alam natin na ‘yung generation namin, ‘yung pressure especially sa mga nakikita natin sa social media na ‘bakit si ganito may ganyan,’ gusto mo din maka-keep up sa kanila, but remember na take your time dahil wala naman masasayang sa buhay mo kung maghihintay ka lalo na kapag smooth ‘yung galaw mo, talagang mas maganda ‘yung result na dadating sa’yo,” Althea adds.
‘Wait Muna’ has released its first episodes online at the PUSO Official Facebook page.
Watch our coverage from the ‘Wait Muna’ media conference below: