Clodualdo del Mundo Pilipino Reporter, 1972

As-long-as-Nora’s-the-star-anything-goes is the biting refrain of this review, that grimaces over another box-office hit starring Nora Aunor.

In Sampaguita’s “My Blue Hawaii,” the singing Superstar plays a Hawaiian lass wooed by an ambiguous character whose only function is to enable Tirso Cruz III to act cute and display the worn-out conventions of puppy love so endearing to the “Ever Loyal Nora-Tirso Original Fans Club.” Luis Gonzales as a pilot, and Gloria Romero as his demanding wife (who makes him choose between her and his job) provide the subplot in this twin love story. Like the proverbial procession, which may wind here and there, near and far, but inevitably ends up in church, this mediocre story resolves all quarrels and ends in reconciliations.

The rest of the supporting cast, plays meaningless “comic” roles. The direction and the cinematography, in itself color-bad, can do nothing with a lousy story.

As a bonus, Nora sings a dozen songs with Tirso. As long as Nora’s the star, everyone’s happy. After viewing the movie over and over, the fans leave, afflicted with all the symptoms of escapism in their twinkling eyes and lightfooted steps, to the popular tune of “Pearly Shells.”