Kelvin Miranda and Kira Balinger with director Catherine Camarillo at the premiere of 'Chances Are, You and I.' Josh Mercado 

Some people recognize death as part of life. Others don’t like talking about mortality. In the new movie “Chances Are, You and I,” the characters of Kelvin Miranda and Kira Balinger view death differently.

Miranda, a young rising star who plays Soleil Sikat, believes death is inevitable, and we are all bound to leave this lifetime in an untimely way. Soleil loves extreme activities like motorcycling and skydiving. For him, life is an adventure. 

The movie showcases the humanness of a Gen Z boy, who’s strong but has a vulnerable side. The young actor delivers subtle acting yet still convincing. He has a feature that captures the attention of the audience, with his perfectly chiseled face and believable eyes. 

In the Catherine Camarillo-directed movie, Soleil realizes that no matter what circumstance he is in, it is us who determine the future. There’s no escaping the responsibility. We are gifted with foresight and intuition about our futures.

Miranda’s onscreen partner, Balinger, who displays a dominating presence, plays Gabriel Sinag. In the romantic drama movie, she believes life has a perfect ending. She has a bright and bubbly personality and doesn’t entertain the idea of sad death. She is an optimist.

Gab loves romanticizing life. For her, we bloom, we fail, and we rise. She always reminds herself that bad experiences make us appreciate the good ones. Her character avoids acknowledging the shortness of life and instead busy herself with beautiful things.

This Kapamilya star has a good future. Her fans fill the cinemas to support her. They call her their idol but she seems like a real person, not just a celebrity who appears to please. She becomes emotional as she thanks the people behind the movie. The screen loves her. At a young age, the young actress successfully translates her character— in an honest way. 

The one crying scene, where she discovers her mother is still alive, showcases Balinger’s potential. The audience for sure likes it as it highlights the star’s vulnerability. The scene is quiet and all you can see is her crying.

Sol and Gab may be poles apart, but deep inside, the two have one thing in common. They are looking for something missing in their lives. Their journey finds them at all odds even if their friendship continues to grow.

Rather than ignoring the end of our journey, we should use it as a lens with which to look at life.

Produced by Pocket Media Productions, Incorporation, Happy Infinite Productions, Incorporation, and Pocket Media Films, “Chance Are, You and I” opens May 29 in cinemas nationwide.