Here in the Philippines, there are two popular movie genres: comedies and romance dramas. Sometimes a combination of both. But what’s always got me are the films with memorable families.
It’s not that I relate to most of these movies, but it’s interesting for me to see how each member would play a role in the film. The dad can be mean, the mom is the mediator, and the children have their own thing going on that the family might disapprove of. Of course, it’s not always like that and the plots get creative too.
If you love these types of movies, here’s a throwback to the ones that you may have watched and became obsessed with. Feel free to tell us your favorites in the comments section and on our social media platforms too!
Four Sisters and a Wedding
If you only heard about this movie through the Kris Aquino vs Mocha Uson feud, it might be time for you to watch it. Four Sisters and a Wedding revolves around five siblings who get together for CJ’s (Enchong Dee) wedding. The four sisters (played by Angel Locsin, Bea Alonzo, Toni Gonzaga, and Shaina Magdayao) then devise a plan to stop the wedding to save their younger brother from the pressure of marriage. It has pretty funny moments and lines that people still quote today.
Madrasta
Starring Sharon Cuneta and Christopher De Leon, Madrasta is a story of a step-mom who’s trying to win the affection of her husband’s three kids. It gets pretty dramatic, especially when you see how Sharon interacts with the rest of the family.
Dekada ’70
Dekada ’70 is known for its Martial Law theme and how the Bartolome lived during that time. It shows how some of the sons got involved in the protests and were tortured by soldiers. The plot gets intense, as it should to show the realities of that time. But it’s also heartbreaking to see how the parents (played by Vilma Santos and Christopher De Leon) will deal with their sons’ struggles.
Patay Na Si Hesus
This movie premiered in 2016 and it was praised for its dark comedy. It revolves around a family, with the mom played by Jaclyn Jose, that drives from Cebu to Dumaguete to visit the funeral of their estranged father. Think of it as the Filipino version of Little Miss Sunshine minus the cute beauty queen character.
Ang Tanging Ina
I’m not gonna lie, this is my go-to feel-good film. Starring Ai-Ai Delas Alas, it shows how deals with having 12 children (which includes Marvin Agustin, Heart Evangelista, Shaina Magdayao, and more) and we see how their individual lives change throughout the movie. Personally, my favorite part is when they start looking for Ten-Ten, who is deaf, and Ai-Ai had to shout silently in hopes of finding him. Classic.
Mano Po: My Family
This is the first of eight Mano Po movies, which is a series focusing on Chinese-Filipino families. My Family stars Maricel Soriano, Kris Aquino, and Ara Mina, who play sisters. The theatrical trailer shows Maricel emphasizing how she’s heading the family business and working extra hard since they don’t have a male sibling. The film also gives a glimpse of the joy and struggles of each sister while living in a traditional Chinoy family.
Bata, Bata, Paano Ka Ginawa?
What happens when a mother bears children from two different fathers? This is the dilemma that Bata, Bata, Paano Ka Ginawa? tackled. Lea (played by Vilma Santos), who is described as “a woman with a liberal outlook,” decided to take care of her children alone despite getting criticism from the fathers. The plot gets emotional when Lea lets the children decide if they want to stay with her or go with their respective fathers.
Art by Marian Hukom
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