Filipinas mirrors plight of RP family

As of this writing, all nine entries to the December Metro Manila Film Festival have either finished post-production work or are wrapping up principal photography. There are four dramas: Viva’s Filipinas, Regal’s Mano Po 2, Teamwork’s Homecoming, Seiko’s Bridal Shower. As always, there are fantasy-adventures, three this year: MaQ’s Gagamboy, Premiere’s Captain Barbell, OctoArts’ Fantastikman. There’s one thriller, Canary’s Malikmata. And there’s one comedy, Unitel’s Crying Ladies.

Of the nine entries, the most star-studded are Filipinas and Mano Po 2, directed by Joel Lamangan and Erik Matti, respectively.

Filipinas stars Maricel Soriano, Richard Gomez, Dawn Zulueta, Aiko Melendez, Victor Neri, Wendell Ramos as the children of Armida Siguion-Reyna, matriarch of the family surnamed Filipinas.

Mano Po 2 topbills Susan Roces, Lorna Tolentino, Zsa Zsa Padilla as the wives of Christopher de Leon, a Chinese tycoon. Also starring are Judy Ann Santos, Jay Manalo, Carmina Villarroel, Cogie Domingo, among others.

But the cast of Captain Barbell, directed by Mac Alejandre, is also impressive: Ogie Alcasid, Regine Velasquez, Rufa Mae Quinto and Bong Revilla. Ditto Fantastikman, directed by Tony Reyes, which stars Vic Sotto, Michael V and Ara Mina. Gagamboy, directed by Erik Matti (he’s also behind MP2), boasts of Vhong Navarro (in his launching movie), Jay Manalo and Aubrey Miles.

Homecoming may well be billed as a "small" family drama, but then the actors are A-1 talents, led by Elizabeth Oropesa, Bembol Roco and Alessandra de Rossi. And the director, Gil Portes, is world-class.

Another small film is Bridal Shower, starring Dina Bonnevie, Cherry Pie Picache, Francine Prieto, and directed by Jeffrey Jeturian, highly competent albeit underrated.

Malikmata is another small film, topbilled by Rica Peralejo, Marvin Agustin and Dingdong Dantes, with a "heavyweight" director, Joey Reyes.

The main attraction of Crying Ladies is Sharon Cuneta in a role completely different from her image, with a neophyte behind the camera, Mark Meily. The two other Crying Ladies are Hilda Koronel and Angel Aquino.

They Pray And Stay Together

Funfare zeroes in on Filipinas, a grand family drama which mirrors the tumultuous and trying times the country is undergoing. The six children of Armida Siguion-Reyna (and Ernie Zarate, who actually has no role in the film, but is shown in the family picture, having died before the start of the story) may well represent the plight and varied faces of the Filipino family, often clashing but in the end loving and supporting each other – with either mother or father as uniting figure.

All six Filipinas (their surname as earlier noted) children are professionals, education being a premium in many Filipino families. Parents go to extreme sacrifice to send their children to school.

The eldest is Maricel, a Home Economics graduate who sacrifices her own happiness to keep her aging mother company. Maricel turns her back on sweetheart Daniel Fernando. She feels unappreciated by her own siblings. The story is told from her point of view.

After Maricel comes Richard, the family favorite, who has a white-collar job (computer) in California. Already separated from his wife, Richard left behind a sickly daughter (Sarah Geronimo) when he migrated to the US.

Dawn is the third child, a nurse working as a caregiver in war-torn Israel, leaving behind a husband (Richard Quan) and a daughter.

Aiko is the self-centered child (there’s one in every family), eager to get hold of whatever family fortune is left. She’s engaged to an Indian businessman (Raymond Bagatsing).

Victor is the rebel, a union leader who eventually goes underground. One big scene involving Victor was shot during the anti-Bush rally near the Batasan. Director Joel Lamangan used five cameras as Victor joined the rallyists.

The youngest is Wendell, who plays a soldier assigned to Mindanao; secretly married to Tanya Garcia. He follows in the footsteps of his late father.

The six Filipinas children gather during the holidays, their clashing egos and interests making the family reunion tense and stressful, especially for the mother, who does her best to maintain peace and harmony. A tragedy strikes – and the family prays and stays together.

Armida... And Only Armida

The role of the widowed matriarch, a retired principal, was originally offered to US-based Lolita Rodriguez, who couldn’t do it. Joel’s next choice was Armida... and only Armida. To which Tita Midz reacts, "Salamat kay Lolit, may maganda akong pelikula."

Script is by Roi Iglesias.

Tita Midz’s part in Filipinas is comparable to, if not better than her roles in Tahan Na Empoy, Tahan and Inagaw Mo ang Lahat sa Akin, which gave her Best Supporting Actress awards. She also stood out in Laruang Apoy and Mga Bilanggung Birhen.

Joel last directed Maricel and Richard in Mano Po, the top moneymaker and award winner in the 2002 Metro Manila filmfest.

He directed Dawn years back in Ikaw Naman ang Iiyak and Bakit May Kahapon Pa?.

For Joel, Victor dropped his inhibitions in the recently-shown Bugbog Sarado, in that nude shower scene with Andrea del Rosario. "Anything for direk," says Victor who worked with Joel years back in the GMA miniseries Liwanag ng Hatinggabi.

Wendell merited good reviews in Hubog, his first film with Joel. "It was my first time to be recognized as an actor," says Wendell.

Filipinas marks Aiko’s first for direk Joel, "I like my role as the strong-willed sister. And I’m excited working with Direk and the star-studded cast."