An action-packed slog

An absolute waste of money

if their story seems completely bonkers, almost like a feverish work of fiction, you ain't heard nothing yet.

There are moments that feel comical, some horrific, and some downright inspiring but the tonal shifts hardly matter as the end results come to a film that's perfect for this time.

Sharon Cuneta's magical voice is worth the price of admission, but this movie is much more than a musical. Lupe (Sharon Cuneta) is born into poverty but her dreams are for a better life. She cares for her crippled mother who is also her harshest critic. Poor, crippled persons normally engender feelings of pity, but Lupe's mother adds to the burden and is the metaphor that represents the title of the movie -- Lupe carries her mother on her back as she begs for alms ["Pasan ko and Diagdig" means I carry the weight of the world]. You feel like cheering for Lupe as she faces obstacles in life and you hope that you would have half the energy and courage that she does as she tries to overcome her fate. Is she destined for life to find treasures in the garbage piles in Payatas? You have to watch the movie to find out.