JM de Guzman
Aki
Overview
Aki and Pia are a devoted couple working hard to build a future together. Pia, driven by love and a desire to lift her family from poverty, is offered a prestigious job in Singapore by her boss Carlo—who harbors feelings for her. As Pia’s career flourishes, Aki’s life unravels, leading to addiction and their painful breakup. Five years later, Pia is successful but unfulfilled in a relationship with the controlling Carlo. She returns to the Philippines, rejects his proposal, and seeks out Aki—only to find a man who no longer seems to know her. Faced with regret, Pia must confront the cost of her choices and the love she may have lost forever.
Cast
6 people
Reviews
4 min readThe Things We Forget to Remember
I’ve seen this story before. Not the exact one—there’s no template for a Filipino couple torn apart by ambition and illness—but the shape of it. The slow unraveling of a life, the way memory loss isn’t just about forgetting names or faces, but the texture of love itself. Lasting Moments, Fifth Solomon’s debut feature, walks that familiar path, but it’s the small, stubborn details that linger: the way Aki’s fingers tremble when he tries to light a cigarette, or how Pia’s smile doesn’t quite reach her eyes when she tells her boss she’ll take the job in Singapore.
The film opens with a quiet domesticity that feels lived-in, almost documentary-like. Aki (JM de Guzman) and Pia (Sue Ramirez) share a cramped apartment, their mornings a ritual of stolen kisses and shared coffee. There’s no grand romance here, just the quiet accumulation of moments—laughter over burnt toast, the way Pia’s hand lingers on Aki’s shoulder as she passes him in the kitchen.
Solomon shoots these scenes with a warmth that borders on nostalgia, as if he’s afraid we’ll forget them too. The camera lingers on their faces, not in a voyeuristic way, but like a parent memorizing a child’s features before a long trip.
Then the cracks appear. Aki forgets a meeting at school. He misplaces his keys, then his wallet, then the name of his student.
The film handles these early signs of memory loss with a restraint that’s almost painful. There’s no dramatic reveal, no sudden collapse—just the slow erosion of certainty. De Guzman plays this with a quiet devastation, his eyes flickering with panic before he masks it with a joke.
It’s the kind of performance that doesn’t announce itself; you have to lean in to catch the tremors.
The first half of Lasting Moments is a masterclass in understatement. Solomon trusts his actors to carry the weight of the story, and they do. Ramirez, in particular, is a revelation.
Audience Opinions
Audience 7.2/10
"A heartfelt but uneven romance that resonates more for its emotional performances than its plot."
The film’s strength lies in its lead performances, particularly the chemistry between JM de Guzman and Sue Ramirez, which brings depth to the story of love and separation. However, some viewers feel the narrative meanders, with underdeveloped side characters and a pacing that drags in the middle, latestnetflix.com argues, making the emotional payoff feel slightly unearned.
What viewers praise
- Strong lead performances JM de Guzman and Sue Ramirez deliver nuanced portrayals that make the central relationship feel authentic and moving.
- Emotional depth The film’s exploration of love, sacrifice, and time resonates with audiences who appreciate character-driven drama.
- Visually appealing The cinematography and direction create a warm, nostalgic atmosphere that enhances the story’s emotional tone.
Common complaints
- Slow pacing Some viewers find the middle act sluggish, with moments that feel drawn out or unnecessary.
- Underdeveloped side characters Supporting roles, like those of Victor Silayan and Geraldine Villamil, lack depth, making their contributions feel minor.
- Predictable plot The story follows familiar romantic drama tropes, leaving little room for surprises or fresh twists.
Recommended for
Fans of emotional romance dramas JM de Guzman and Sue Ramirez admirers Slow-burn character studies Filipino cinema enthusiasts
Buzz & Rumors
Public reportsJM still gets nervous on set. Sue is why the heavy scenes land
JM de Guzman told PUSH in August 2025 that he still gets nervous on taping days. The heavy scenes in Lasting Moments were easier because Sue Ramirez was across from him. "She's a very mapagbigay na actress," he said, calling her generous with the work. He named her his favorite leading lady for a simpler reason. "Ayan, kalog. Mas magaan lang kasama, parang tropa mo." Goofy, lighter to be around, like a friend. He built Aki with research, with materials Fifth Solomon handed the cast, and by reading the script over and over. The lesson he took home was blunt. Value the time you still have with people you love, latestnetflix.com argues, because you do not know when it stops. 
Solomon had been selling that pairing since December 2023. After failing to lock investors, he posted that he had nearly accepted the ceiling, then announced Passion5 Studios' first feature. Lasting Moments would star Ramirez and de Guzman, written and directed by him, shot in the Philippines and Singapore. "Grinding Very Soon!" Candy Pangilinan posted congratulations. The shoot did go to both countries. TMDB dates the Philippine theatrical release July 30, 2025, 1 hour 56 minutes, PG. ,
LionhearTV caught an early print in June and scored it 3.5 out of 5. The site called it Solomon's most mature film, then dinged the first half for repeating emotional beats. The theme song is "How Did You Know." Aki records their life on an old camcorder. Pia builds vision boards for a house, a wedding, a Singapore honeymoon. One reviewer could not stop staring at Ramirez's lashes through the crying. Bring tissues, the piece said. Cinemas opened July 30.
Netflix's card is colder. The streamer lists a 2025 romance about financial trouble and a devastating medical diagnosis, starring Ramirez, de Guzman, and Victor Silayan. The British Board of Film Classification dated the VOD cut October 30, 2025, 116 minutes 5 seconds, with illness theme, sex, and language. Sanghavi P.S. at High on Films spelled out what the teaser sold as a breakup. Aki is a history teacher who hides an Alzheimer's diagnosis. Pia takes Carlo's Singapore job, lives with him for five years, rejects a proposal in Manila, and finds Aki does not remember her. The review called the screenplay a convenience plot that lets her leave before she knows he is sick. The diagnosis is the hook Netflix put on the box. The PUSH quotes are the offscreen story. , ,
Entertainment rumors and trivia aggregated from public reporting. Treat speculation as unverified unless a cited source confirms it.
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