In Manila, 15 year-old Antonio (or Tong) (Kenji Garcia) is a curious and confident young man who is newly aware of his homosexuality. Tong’s exploration of his identity unfolds as his family begins to break up. His mother Tere (Shamaine Buencamino) is in denial that his father has abandoned them. During a sleepover at his friend Nathan’s (Nino Fernandez), after a night of drinking and aroused by normal adolescent sex talk, Tong makes a pass at his sleeping friend. Much to his surprise, Nathan does not offer any resistance, and the two boys share their first sexual experience. Unfortunately, a satisfying and memorable night turns into disappointment when Nathan starts avoiding Tong the next day. Sensing something isn’t right, his best friend Mike (Jiro Manio) becomes curious. Tong is forced to tell the truth and comes out to him. Mike is totally supportive, and generally offers a comedic side to this otherwise serious film.
Soon Tong’s hedonistic and very hot 25 year-old uncle Jonbert (Josh Ivan Morales) arrives from the province to stay with him and his mom for a few weeks. Things begin to unravel as Jonbert becomes Tong’s sexual obsession, and the uncle reciprocates. A shocking tragedy begins to spiral up and as a result Tong's mother saves her son by stabbing and killing Jonbert. The intense ending leaves the audience with a feeling of disturbed emotions as Tong and his mother are escorted by the authorities.
"Ang Lihim ni Antonio" confronts the taboo topic of incest head on while giving an authentic portrait of middle-class life in Manila. It's a raw and honest look at the not-so-secret, and sometimes downright depraved sex life of sexually frustrated teenage boys. This rich story is of a confused young man, growing up with few positive role models, who makes crucial choices and is forced to face their tragic consequences. The scene-stealer of the movie is Shamaine Buencamino who plays Antonio's mother. Her acting, particularly in the last part of the movie, is brilliant. The film uses a sometimes wobbly handheld camera without much of a musical soundtrack, except for the occasional tunes from the acoustic guitar of a neighborhood musician, making it a voyeuristic and intimate affair. There are explicit sex scenes, adult content, and one graphic scene of violence. Currently, this film is one of the highest grossing Filipino digital films in history. Lex Bonife wrote the screenplay, and Joselito Altarejos directed. In Tagalog with English Subtitles. The English title is "Antonio’s Secret".
