How Director Dolly Dulu’s Film Script Found Success
Closed doors can often open new paths, especially in the creative industry. Director Dolly Dulu’s journey with her script illustrates this truth. Her notable works like “The Boy Foretold by the Stars” and “Love Beneath the Stars” have earned praise, and her story with the script that became “Si Sol at Si Luna” is no different. Despite multiple rejections, Dolly’s persistence and belief in her story eventually led to a breakthrough.
The script initially submitted to the Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival made it to the top 16 entries but was not selected as a finalist. Direk Dolly shared, “Siyempre nalungkot ako sa rejection ng CinePanalo. Naniniwala ako na maganda ang script namin kaya masakit na hindi siya natanggap. Sabi ko noon, mukhang last hurrah na ng film dahil ang dami na niyang pinagdaanang mga festivals… Kaya sabi ko, siguro ipa-park ko na lang muna ang script na ito.”
From Rejection to Digital Series
Despite the setback, Direk Dolly didn’t give up. After some reflection, she realized, “May bitter moments din, pero given enough processing… bumalik ang paniwala ko na things happen for a reason; whatever is meant to be, will be. Take your loss with grace. Inisip ko rin na hindi ito ang endgame ng Si Sol at si Luna.”
Her conviction paid off when the Puregold Channel picked up the project—not as a film, but as a weekly digital series. This format allowed the story’s themes of heartache, grief, healing, and love to unfold in richer detail and reach a broader audience through accessible cinematography.
Adapting the Script for a Series
When asked about changes in her creative approach, Direk Dolly explained that the film was originally a slow-burn narrative. The series required more conflict and hooks per episode to keep viewers engaged. “In a way, ganoon pa rin ang series maski marami kaming binago… Kailangan, mayroon kang binabalik-balikan, pero may overarching conflict pa rin ang kuwento na dapat i-resolve.”
She also highlighted how the series format allowed deeper exploration of side characters, expanding their stories and conflicts. “Na-excite ako, pero naging malaki ang change.”
Handling Rejection with Grace
Direk Dolly’s advice to creatives facing rejection is heartfelt: “You have to give yourself time to grieve. Kinailangan kong tanggapin na hindi ako natanggap, at sa pagtanggap nito, makaka-let go ka at makaka-move forward. Kung hindi, you will become bitter.” She also expressed happiness for friends who succeeded in CinePanalo, showing grace despite her own disappointment.
She believes that rejection and redirection are part of a filmmaker’s journey. “Kailangan natin ng rejection at redirection bilang filmmaker. It takes a lot of tenacity, willpower, and processing to convert what you’re feeling into something more positive. Pero sa totoong buhay, ang pagtanggap natin sa rejection deepens our character, makes us more driven, and makes us more hungry for our story to be told. Kung naniniwala ka sa sarili mo, sa story mo, hindi mo siya dapat sukuan.”
The Impact of Persistence
Thanks to her determination, “Si Sol at Si Luna” is now making waves in the entertainment scene. The series stars Zaijan Jaranilla as Sol, a film student eager to document love despite never having experienced it himself. His encounter with Luna, played by Jane Oineza, begins a moving story of connection and discovery.
Direk Dolly noted that the episodic format allowed the narrative to become “more intimate and more real.” Puregold’s Senior Marketing Manager observed that turning the script into a digital series was a successful move, as viewer engagement and appreciation have grown steadily.
Follow the Journey
The pilot episode, “Babae sa Bus,” introduces Sol’s reflections on an unlikely love, symbolized by the sun and moon’s elusive meeting. He meets Luna, whose quiet tears leave a lasting impact on him. The next episode, “New Management,” will reveal whether Sol finds the courage to reach out to Luna.
Don’t miss any episode of “Si Sol at Si Luna” on the Puregold Channel’s YouTube platform.
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