AllMovie

Filipina filmmaker Ellen Ongkeko-Marfil follows up her 2005 feature debut with this life-affirming tale of an abused child and a withdrawn violinist who both come to understand the true healing power of music. Seven year old Onyok (Julian Duque) comes from an abusive home. After suffering under the heavy hand of his father one too many times, the young boy loses his ability to speak. Upon moving into a children's shelter run by kindly Amanda (Cherry Pie Picache), the traumatized child is drawn to the violin playing of Amanda's brother Ariel (Coke Bolipata), who lives nearby. Ariel too suffers deep psychic wounds, his own resulting from the recent death of his beloved girlfriend. Before long Onyok is taking supervised lessons, and reveals himself as a naturally talented violinist. As Onyok and the spirited Shirley (Tala Santos) begin developing a close friendship, the young boy's violent father goes into rehabilitation in a sincere attempt to reign in his anger.