Hihintayin Kita sa Langit is a drama-romance film and directed
by Carlos Siguion-Reyna. The film is a Philippine adaptation of Emily Bronte's classic
novel, Wuthering Heights. Instead of the moors in Bronte's novel, the setting is transposed
to the tropical beaches and ocean cliffs. The ill-fated lovers are passionately played by
Richard Gomez and Dawn Zulueta, who, at the time of the movie's release, were also
involved in a real-life relationship.
Hihintayin Kita sa Langit English Title: I Will Wait for You in Heaven
Gabriel (Richard Gomez) is a street urchin that was plucked from the streets of Manila
by Joaquin Salvador who proceeds to treat him like a son. Milo (Michael de Mesa),
Joaquin's real son, who regards Gabriel as competition for his father's love and attention,
is sent to Manila after an altercation with Gabriel that left the latter shamed and bruised.
Without Milo around, Gabriel is brought up as a Salvador, becoming really close with
and eventually falling for Carmina (Dawn Zulueta), Joaquin's daughter. Joaquin suddenly
dies of a heart attack, allowing for Milo's return as master of the house, and Gabriel's
sudden demotion to servitude. While Gabriel and Carmina still share the same feelings
for each other, the promise of the life of a princess which is offered by Alan (Eric Quizon),
the wealthy scion of the land-owning Ilustre family, is simply too good to refuse. Thus,
Carmina marries Alan as Gabriel disappears to build his own fortune in preparation for
his return and revenge.
Upon Gabriel's return, he immediately puts his plan into motion. First, he wins the
Salvador property from Milo in a game of cards. Then, he seduces Sandra
(Jackie Lou Blanco) into marrying him, in the hopes that his impending wedding
would force Carmina decide to just leave Alan to elope with him. Upon learning of this,
Alan prevents Carmina from leaving their abode. Gabriel starts to believe that he has
totally lost Carmina to Alan, and proceeds with his plan and marries Sandra out of spite
for his beloved, weakening Carmina to the point of exhaustion and death.
Ah, Love. Isnt it just beautiful? At its best, it gives you consummate pleasure, a sudden
rush of seemingly perpetual happiness resulting from being overwhelmed by the giddy
feeling. At its worst, it hurts without mitigation, even to the point of emotional paralysis
and death. Carlos Siguion-Reyna's Hihintayin Kita sa Langit (I Will Wait for You in Heaven),
an adaptation of Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights by way of William Wyler's 1939 version,
exhausts the entire spectrum of the emotion, from the heights of ecstasy to the depths of torture.