Gaano Kadalas ang Minsan?

Gaano Kadalas ang Minsan? (lit. 'How Often Is Sometimes?') is a 1982 Filipino romantic drama film directed by Danny Zialcita from a screenplay written by Zialcita and Tom D. Andrales, who wrote the film's original story. It stars Vilma Santos, Hilda Koronel and Dindo Fernando.

Released by Viva Films on November 25, 1982, it was a box office success and was the year's highest-grossing film. Critic Justino Dormiendo gave the film a positive review, praising Zialcita's direction and the entire cast's performances. It won six FAMAS Awards, including Best Screenplay (Zialcita and Adrales), Best Story (Adrales), and Best Musical Score (George Canseco).

Plot
Lily, a single mother to her only son Alvin, who is suffering from congenital heart disease. But, Alvin wishes to see his father. It's unknown who is Alvin's biological father. Lily then consulted her best friend Elsa. There, Elsa decided to lend her husband Louie and took the role of Alvin's father. However, Louie was hesitant about Elsa's proposal. In the end, Louie agreed, and when he met Lily, Elsa introduced him as Larry. Louie met Alvin and made most of his time with him. During an outing, Alvin suffered from difficulty in breathing. It found out that Alvin's days were now numbered, so Louie would spend the remaining days of Alvin with him.

When Elsa visits Lily, she admits to Louie that she's jealous of her. She also said that if Alvin goes, he will also go, and if he dies, he's also dead in her memory. When Lily, Alvin, and Louie went to Elsa to celebrate Christmas, Alvin went outside and played hide and seek with Louie, but Louie saw Alvin unconscious. They tried to save Alvin, but it was too late. Not long afterward, Lily is found out to be pregnant. Louie would visit Lily and spend time with her. Elsa found out about Louie's relationship with Lily and her pregnancy. Elsa wanted to have Lily's child upon giving birth. But, Louie disapproves of Elsa's demands saying that he would see his mistakes every time he sees the child, except if Elsa's barren. Because of this, Elsa and Louie part ways. Lily went to an abortionist, despite her argument with her friend. She said that when she was pregnant to Alvin, she had a heart condition. Before performing the abortion, Lily was saved by Louie. Louie confronted Lily, and she said that it was the only way for her to forget Louie. Louie then told Lily that they were set up by Elsa for her to have a child. He also admits that he loves Lily. But Lily insisted that he and Elsa are still legally married. Lily and Elsa met and she asked forgiveness for having an affair with Louie. Lily gave birth to a son, but she died afterward. But, when Elsa asked her doctor to see the child, the child was dead.

Cast

 * Vilma Santos as Lily
 * Hilda Koronel as Elsa
 * Dindo Fernando as Louie
 * Suzanne Gonzales as Nina
 * Alvin Enriquez as Alvin (as Joseph Alvin Enriquez)
 * Angie Ferro as Abortionist
 * Odette Khan as Alvin's Teacher
 * Mario Escudero as Fencing Instructor
 * Ven Medina as Priest
 * Gloria Romero as Elsa's Mother
 * Josephine Estrada as Diana
 * Ronaldo Valdez as Eric
 * Tommy Abuel as Dr. Eufemio
 * Anna Gonzales as Gynaecologist
 * Delia Razon as Obstetrician
 * Chanda Romero as Charley

Release
Gaano Kadalas ang Minsan was released on November 25, 1982, and was a box-office success, becoming the highest-grossing film of the year.

Critical response
Justino Dormiendo, writing for Jingle Extra Hot!, gave the film a positive review, praising the entire cast for their performances as well as director Danny Zialcita for finding a fresh angle to a cliché love triangle storyline. He gave high acclaim to Vilma Santos' performance as the mistress Lily, stating that "[b]ecause her role has more substance and because [she] seemed to have perfected the agony of the other woman, her performance overshadowed Hilda Koronel's", while Dindo Fernando was "effective" in his performance as Louie. However, Dormiendo criticized the costume design for being overly conspicuous and distracting.