3 Days 2 Nights in Poblacion, a film directed by RC delos Reyes, is like a kaleidoscope – at first glance, it presents itself as a vibrant, carefree, and light movie, but at its core, it delves into thought-provoking life experiences that can lead to self-reflection and awakenings.
The comedy-drama centers around the unbreakable bond between Gabbi (Jasmine Curtis-Smith), a probinsyana prom queen and achiever in her 20s, and Charlie (Barbie Imperial), a probinsyana turned cosmopolitan girl hustler in Poblacion. Their deep friendship sees an unforeseen challenge when Javi (JM De Guzman) unexpectedly enters their lives, putting their relationship to the test during their unexpected 3-day, 2-night stay in Poblacion, Makati.
Here are High Five lessons in friendship from 3 Days 2 Nights in Poblacion:
Truth is the foundation of any relationship
The main conflict of Gabbi and Charlie’s story is rooted not in a lie but in more of an untold truth. Without spilling many details, Charlie holds a secret from Gabbi that she feels ashamed and guilty of sharing. However, no secrets are kept hidden forever. Her actions eventually sell her out, and although Gabbi could not connect the dots at first, she eventually found out. This made Gabbi feel more hurt, betrayed, and disillusioned.
Just as with any kind of relationship, being honest and truthful is what allows real bonds to form and flourish – the foundation of any healthy relationship. When that foundation is compromised, it can shake the entire dynamic to its core. No matter how well-intentioned, secrets and omissions ultimately breed mistrust, doubt, and emotional distance.
A true friend protects the other
One scene that highlights what kind of a friend Gabbi is is when she stood up against Charlie’s womanizer ex-boss, which eventually led to her losing her career. Although she was drunk, hurt, and in a heated conversation with Charlie, she stood up and said something along the lines of “I’m the only one who can mess up with my friend, not anyone else,” and charged towards him.
It shows that the instinct to protect your friend is sometimes stronger than your personal feelings. Despite being angry and emotional due to Charlie’s betrayal, Gabbi’s loyalty to their friendship prevailed when an external threat emerged. Although, not all battles are indeed meant to be fought. Protecting our friends from getting hurt means we care and value them.
There are friends that you outgrow and outgrow you, and that’s okay
Long-time friendships like Gabbi’s and Charlie’s are considered precious and special for many. Having a close friend growing up leaves an indelible mark on our identity, and sometimes it can make some of us wish that things stayed the same as they were. But just as with the duo, friends can and will outgrow each other, and that’s a natural part of life’s journey.
As we navigate through different phases and experiences, our perspectives, values, and priorities inevitably shift. The person we were at 10 may not be the same at 20, 30, or beyond. While it can be bittersweet to acknowledge this reality, it’s important to approach it with compassion and acceptance. True friends should be able to recognize when they’ve outgrown each other, or been outgrown themselves, without it diminishing the value of the bond they once shared.
Friendships are worth fighting for
One of the scenes that struck the most in the movie was when Charlie kept on explaining and begging for forgiveness from Gabbi even when hurtful below-the-belt words were already thrown at her. At some point, she complains about how tiring it is to be Gabbi’s friend, but minutes later, she’s asking for Gabbi’s forgiveness yet again.
In another scene, when all hope seems lost, Charlie makes a way to talk to Gabbi for the last time, ensuring that they make up before distance comes in between them for the second time. It shows how Charlie values Gabbi in her life. She’s unwilling to let pride, anger, or circumstances rob them of a proper closure. For Gabbi, Charlie’s actions to save their friendship are incomparable with what anyone else offers. Their friendship runs too deep for anything to truly replace or diminish that bond.
At this point in the movie, you’ll find yourself introspecting about what you would do to fight for a friendship. Which friendships in the course of your life are worth fighting for?
Friends leave but the friendships stay
The first conflict of the duo’s friendship was when Charlie moved to Manila for college. With miles apart, they continued to communicate with each other via video and phone calls. Five years later, they met again in person as if nothing had ever changed. However, the movie eventually shows how they had changed as individuals, even though their friendship remained strong.
This scenario reflects those friendships many of us have, those affected by circumstances such as distance and availability. As we all try to pursue our own paths in life, it’s inevitable to leave a friend behind, at least temporarily. What’s important is we keep the bond strong and the person closer in our hearts. “Low-maintenance friends,” as most people call it, is the term currently used to describe those friends who, despite lapses in regular communication or physical proximity, can pick up right where you left off whenever you reconnect. At some point in our lives, we’ll need a low-maintenance friend, and we’ll need to become one ourselves to keep cherished friendships alive through the realities of adulthood.
Overall, 3 Days 2 Nights in Poblacion is serving not only an entertaining and heartwarming comedy-drama, but mostly lessons in friendship, love, and adulthood that any young adult would be happy to learn about.
Catch 3 Days 2 Nights in Poblacion at Philippine cinemas near you.
If you’ve already watched it, did the film remind you of a friend? Share your thoughts in the comments section below!