Some Kind of A Mini-Review: Higit sa Lahat (1955)

Rosa (Emma Alegre) is looking everywhere for her husband, Roberto (Rogelio dela Rosa). While everybody else thinks that Roberto died in a factory explosion, Rosa somehow begins to believe that Roberto is still alive. She arrives at such a belief after she stumbles upon some clues that revel recent traces of her husband's presence. And so, she goes on with her search. As if to support her beliefs, Rosa discovers even more evidences which prove that Roberto have been around at wherever she happens to proceed to.

Rogelio dela Rosa and Emma Alegre in Gregorio Fernandez' Higit sa Lahat (1955)
(Photo credit: Video 48)

A painting exactly identical to another one by Roberto—the latter's work-in-progress during the earlier years of his relationship with Rosa. Bent and slightly burned safety matches, haphazardly scattered around—one of Roberto's prominent mannerisms. A bicycle with a particular brand name as a birthday gift for their sone—a wish only known to the husband and to the wife. These are some simple, almost negligible, yet very crucial details that illustrate a woman's recognition towards the presence of the man she is married to. This recognition could help in convincing the audience that Rosa and Roberto are, indeed, tied to one another not just by the vows they hold on to but also by the plans and habits they have been putting up with ever since they said their "I do's". If it weren't for the credits and the musical score, some might just be hit with the notion that they are two, real people and that behind the camera, there really is a certain Rosa Molina who is searching for her assumed-to-be-dead husband, Roberto.