Our Post-Father’s Day Celebration That Touched the Stars | A Personal Take On Disney & Pixar’s Elio (2025)
That line stayed with me long after the credits rolled. It wasn’t the kind of movie that makes you cry, but it was the kind that makes your heart feel full, and quietly ache in the most beautiful way.
This week, I had a sweet WednesDate with my Yu-Bs at Bonifacio High Street Cinemas, thanks to an invite from Disney Philippines for the special screening of Disney & Pixar’s Elio. What started out as a simple movie night unexpectedly became our post-Father’s Day celebration, a moment we didn’t get to enjoy last weekend, but found healing in this cosmic little film.
Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve been drawn to the stars. Aliens, galaxies, the great unknown, anything space-related fascinated me. Elio immediately brought that part of me to the surface.
It reminded me of Contact, remember that movie?
The one where a young scientist who lost her dad grows up fascinated with the universe, hoping to find answers or maybe even hear from him again?
That was me.
I lost my dad when I was younger, and I remember watching that film and feeling something stir deep inside me. It made me wonder about things beyond this world, where love goes, what remains, and if somehow, they’re still out there watching. I didn’t know then how much that story would stay with me.
That same ache, that longing, resurfaced with Elio. Not in a loud or dramatic way, but in that quiet space where your heart remembers who it once missed, and still misses.
What Elio Is About (Without Spoilers)
Elio follows an 11-year-old boy who accidentally becomes Earth's ambassador to a united alliance of aliens across the galaxy. Elio isn't your typical hero, he's awkward, artistic, and very much unsure of himself. But it’s that vulnerability that makes his story so relatable and deeply touching.
The cast truly brought the characters to life:
Yonas Kibreab stars as Elio, and his voice brings so much heart and realness to the character. You can feel his confusion, wonder, and quiet bravery through every word.
America Ferrera plays Olga, Elio’s strong, loving mother who works at a top-secret government agency. She’s a beautiful balance of tough and tender—exactly how moms are in real life.
Jameela Jamil and Brad Garrett round out the cast as alien council members with voices that are both hilarious and full of character.
And yes, Pipo, the talking alien blob, totally steals scenes with charm.
Every voice felt perfectly matched to the emotion of the story. It’s not often that animated characters feel this real.
What struck me most while watching Elio was not just the outer space adventure, but the emotional core of the story: the love between parent and child, and the quiet realization that even when we’re no longer around, our love can still guide them.
That thought lingered with me during the film. It made me reflect on the people in my own life, especially my sisters. There’s this unspoken comfort in knowing that if one day I’m not here, my sisters will love my child like their own. That kind of devotion isn’t loud or flashy, but it’s powerful. And Elio, in its own gentle way, reminded me how beautiful that is.
Elio is for anyone who’s ever felt like they didn’t belong. For anyone who looks up at the stars and wonders where their place in the universe is. It’s a love letter to those who don't quite fit in, to dreamers, and to the kind of quiet strength that often goes unseen.
More than anything, it’s a reminder that YOU ARE NOT ALONE. Even when the world feels overwhelming. Even when you're unsure of yourself. Even when you're missing someone you love, you are never really alone.
Thank you again, Disney & Pixar, and Disney Philippines, for inviting us. This film wasn’t just a screening, it was a soft space for reflection, love, and memory. OK, bye, love you!
Disney & Pixar’s #ElioPH is now showing in cinemas nationwide.
From our world to the universe, Elio’s epic adventure has just begun.
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