Last week, the Binging During Quarantine series of the Film Development Council of the Philippines featured "I'm Drunk, I Love You." which highlights the province of La Union, dubbed as the Surfing Capital of the North. For this week, our featured film captures a Southeast Asian destination that is widely described as amazing.

"Dear Other Self" (2017)

Directed by Veronica Velasco

Available on iflix and iWant

Rebecca, nicknamed Becky, is an advertising agency employee whose ultimate dream is to travel the world. Her responsibilities as the breadwinner of her family, however, are holding her back from becoming a travel blogger.

Even with a promising career in advertising, Becky (Jodi Sta. Maria) thinks that it is the right time to drop everything to explore the world. She resigns, goes to Thailand, and stays there for a year to be a full-time travel blogger. Or did she really have the guts to make such a bold move?

"Dear Other Self" has two stories: the first is about Becky embarking on her first solo overseas trip after quitting her job and the second is about how her life turns out after choosing to stay in the advertising agency.

In Thailand, Becky gets to embody her travel blog username "rebeccabyahera." She visits tourist spots, tries out Thai cuisine, and takes part in the Songkran Water Festival. She spends most of her time in Bangkok where she meets Henry (Xian Lim), a fellow carefree traveller who becomes her companion and love interest. 

While in the Philippines, Becky continues to be a responsible daughter, doting older sister, dependable friend, and reliable employee. She develops a friendship with co-worker Chris (Joseph Marco) and this blossoms into a relationship. Despite being preoccupied with work duties and life responsibilities, Becky remains hopeful of traveling someday.

Presenting the two scenarios shows viewers the many possibilities that can happen in Becky's life. Everything boils down to making a choice and standing by it. This is evident in how Becky lived her life in both scenarios. She followed her heart and made the most of the opportunities that came her way. The same can be said about the characters of Lim and Marco, with both portrayals gaining Best Supporting Actor nominations from the Star Awards for Movies. Sta. Maria was nominated for Best Actress.

As you eagerly await to see which life Becky ended up choosing, the film will make you realize that no matter which scenario Becky is in, it is important to live without regrets; to be steadfast in taking risks and fearless in living the life you really want. 

I appreciate how the movie highlights the pros of solo travel. Indeed, it is intimidating at the get-go, but it becomes fulfilling and rewarding once you embrace the experience and get through it. 

Traveling solo forced my shy and sometimes unfriendly self to speak up, ask questions, and interact with strangers. It fostered my independence because I had to decide on everything. It also gave me freedom to alter my itinerary and just do as I please. 

In solo travel, you will not just learn about a new culture. You will also discover more things about yourself as it brings about greater self-awareness and confidence. The same happened to Becky, who even wanted to return to the Philippines right away because of homesickness. But she soldiered on and focused on her travel blogging dream, eventually becoming a more grounded and mature version of herself.