Guilty Pleasure Comedy in "'Tong Tatlong Tatay Kong Pakitong-kitong" (1998)

'Tong Tatlong Tatay Kong Pakitong-kitong (Tagalog: This Three Pakitong-kitong Fathers of Mine) is a 1998 comedy film directed by Efren 'Lodging' Jarlego. It stars Babalu, Redford White, and Bonel Balingit as three bachelors who adopt a mischievous orphaned child named Jingle. Serena Dalrymple plays the role of the said child.

The film title is a play on the children's song Tong Tong Tong Pakitong-kitong, which is about a big and tasty crab that is difficult to catch. The crab mimics the action of a fish that is known as kitong in Cebu.

Photo Credit: Video 48

PLOT

The titular trio comprises the bacherlors Bobby, Alvin, and Jack. Bobby and Alvin work as clerks, while Jack is a security guard at a recruitment agency. The three of them live in an apartment rented out by their gay landlord, Diday. He is constantly annoyed with the trio for being perennially late in paying the rent. He is also displeased that they court his niece, Cristy.

Meanwhile, Jingle is a child repeatedly returned to the orphanage. She has had three chances to be adopted, but each time it fell through because of her mischievousness. One day, she painted the entire  facade of the church building. The townspeople got fed up with her antics, and this situation coincided with the retirement of the orphanage caretaker, Padre Roman.

Padre Roman sent a letter to Jack, asking him to take Jingle in. Out of gratitude, Jack agreed, though Bobby and Alvin objected. With no other choice, they let Jingle stay, on the condition that she handle the household chores. Jingle thought the three were really kind, but suspected they were deliberately making life hard for her so she would be sent back to the orphanage.

Everything changed when the three lost their jobs after their employer's illegal activities were exposed. On the way home, Bobby was struck by a bag thrown from a van being chased by police. The bag contained jewelry stolen by a syndicate. At home, Jingle overheard the three arguing and saw the news report on TV. 

While the trio slept, Jingle took and hid the bag. This hot item became her leverage, forcing the three to treat her well like their own daughter. From then on, they did the household chores, accompanied her to school, and even took her to leisurely trips.

One night, after returning from a vacation in Baguio, syndicate leaders Eric and Cita arrived at their home. Pretending to be Jingle's parents, the couple presented what they claim as a court order. The trio were forced to hand Jingle over. 

Moments later, Bobby received a phone call from Eric, ordering them to come to the hideout and discuss the return of the bag of jewelry. The trio were allowed to see Jingle, who whispered something to Bobby. Bobby and Alvin were sent home to retrieve the bag, while Jack and Jingle were held as hostages at the hideout.

At home, Bobby and Alvin discovered a map in which Jingle had drawn the location where she hid the bag. To the left of the X mark, Alvin read "50,000 steps." They began walking, but encountered all sorts of mishaps: colliding with a vendor, nearly being hit by a train, chased by a dog, and forced to climb a tree with a python. 

Eventually, Alvin and Bobby found themselves on a beach, but the 50,000th step was in the sea itself—where sharks attacked them. They returned home battered and with torn clothes. Alvin suggested trying again, but Bobby refused. Instead, he re-read the map: it was "5 steps," not "50,000." On the fifth step, they discovered the bag hidden in the mailbox.

Diday and Cristy saw them and the latter made a telephone call to the police. Together, the four of them returned to the hideout and the police arrived. Jingle was rescued, and she revealed that Cristy also knew where she had hidden the bag. With the help of Jimmy, Cristy's policeman boyfriend, a plan was set to capture the syndicate while monitoring the trio.

Some time later, the trio, Jingle, Cristy, and Diday were at the airport. The trio thought they are sending off Jingle. It was not the case; Cristy said that Padre Roman sent a telegram so the trio could welcome a large group of orphaned children to adopt anew.

NOTES:

*** Jingle (portrayed by Serena Dalrymple) said the line "Kayhirap magpalaki ng magugulang." (Tagalog: It is hard to raise exploiters) at least twice. This film's working title is Kayhirap Magpalaki ng Magugulang.

*** About 80 minutes into the movie, Bobby (portrayed by Babalu) says, "Malapit na akong mamatay ... sa pagod." (Tagalog: I'm about to die... from exhaustion.). About three months after the release of this movie, Babalu died of a liver ailment.

*** Buddy Norton is known for his portrayal of a priest in the TV commercial for Coat Saver, a brand of paint. His scene in this movie is a nod to the said advertisement.

*** The hideout appears to be depot where dilapitated Pantranco buses are stored.

MAIN CAST

Babalu    ...    Bobby

Redford White    ...    Alvin

Bonel Balingit    ...    Jack

Serena Dalrymple    ...    Jingle

Lara Morena    ...    Cristy

Bernardo Bernardo    ...    Diday

Mark Gil    ...    Eric

Cita Astals    ...    Cita

Brandon Ramirez    ...    Jimmy

Don Pepot    ...    Mr. L.A. Guy

Buddy Norton    ...    Padre Roman

Full Movie: Star Cinema / YouTube

The Thin Line Between Vengeance and Passion in "Free to Love" (1981)

Free to Love is a 1981 romantic-drama film directed and written for the screen by Emmanuel H. Borlaza, based on a story by Toto Belano. The film is one of more than a dozen that features Cherie Gil and Rosemarie Gil, who are daughter and mother in real life.

VHS Cover

Photo Credit: Tagalog Ilang-Ilang Productions / Letterboxd

PLOT

Rosa, a hostess, is strict with her daughter Wendy, especially regarding her boyfriend Gary. Her strictness stems from deep wounds: Rosa and Wendy were abandoned by her husband Fernando, who married another woman to obtain a green card. Rosa’s only wish is for Wendy to finish college, work in America, and exact revenge on Fernando. One night, Rosa feared that bar owner Brando no longer pimped her to clients. She confronted him, leading to a heated quarrel that ended with Rosa being thrown out. In despair, she swallowed a large number of sleeping pills. Wendy found her in time and rushed her to the hospital. Wendy promised her mother she would do everything to prevent such an attempt again. Instead of staying with Gary, Wendy decided to go to America to find her father. Before leaving, she gave herself to Gary. In America, Wendy was warmly welcomed by her colleagues, which gave her peace of mind. She wrote to Rosa, expressing doubts about the obsessive plan to take revenge on Fernando. Rosa's reply pushed Wendy to make a telephone call to her father.

They reunited, and Fernando introduced Wendy to his new family—his wife Mildred and half-sister Cathy. Their first meeting was cordial, but tension arose when Fernando agreed to Wendy's request to live with them. Cathy welcomed her, but Mildred resented Wendy’s efforts to fit in.

Meanwhile, Cathy became pregnant by her boyfriend Bernard, but refused to marry him. She moved in with Bernard, leaving Wendy alone in the shared room at Fernando's house. Mildred grew angrier when Wendy asserted her right to stay. Mildred poisoned Cathy's mind against Wendy, and when Cathy returned, Mildred accompanied her to drive Wendy out. A commotion ensued, causing Cathy to miscarry. On that Fourth of July, Fernando disowned Wendy. Wendy found another place to stay and eventually entered into a relationship with Bernard. But when Mildred and Cathy discovered them, Wendy was consumed by guilt. She attempted suicide, but Bernard stopped her. In the end, Wendy left America, as Bernard could not give up his dreams there. Back in the Philippines, Wendy met Gary and confessed she was pregnant with Bernard's child—a relationship that began as revenge but turned into genuine affection. Wracked with guilt, she nearly sought an abortion, but Gary stopped her. Gary took responsibility, and Wendy once again faced her mother, whose heart softened upon seeing her grandchild. In the final scene, Bernard arrived and learned the truth: he was the child's real father. Wendy allowed him to see their child. In a quiet moment of acceptance, Bernard said goodbye. A handshake between Bernard and Gary appeared to symbolize reconciliation and closure, while Wendy looked on.

MAIN CAST

Cherie Gil    ...    Wendy

Rosemarie Gil    ... Rosa

Joe Fabregas    ...    Gary

Ernie Garcia    ...    Bernard

Deanna Galang    ...    Cathy

Andy Poe    ...    Fernando

Pacita Arana    ...    Mildred

SELECTED CREW

Direction and Screenplay ... Emmanuel H. Borlaza Story ... Toto Belano Cinematography ... Ben L. Lobo Editing ... Edgardo 'Boy' Vinarao Musical Direction ... Idan Cortez Executive Producer ... Espiridion Laxa

Full Movie: Tagalog Ilang-Ilang Productions / Cinema One / YouTube

"Bagsik ng Kamao" (Fierceness of Fist): A World Boxing Champion's Foray into Movies

Bagsik ng Kamao (Tagalog: Fierceness of Fist) is a 1996 action-drama film about police investigators who probe a crusading politician's murder, unraveling a web of criminal activities. Directed by Leonardo L. Garcia, the film is topbilled by Edu Manzano and Luisito Espinosa, who is the World Boxing Council featherweight champion at the time of release. The film expectedly showcases Espinosa's pugilistic skills.

PLOT

The film opens in a boxing gym, where trainees are shown honing the speed and power of their punches. Soon after, friends Ibañez and David are jogging at the Quezon Memorial Circle. Ibañez suddenly makes a pass at a lady jogger. He introduced himself as a boxer with an upcoming fight in Japan, with David purportedly his trainer.

In a warehouse, Ibañez sneaks in disguised as a worker. He discovers crates of weapons and is caught by a gun runner, but manages to outsmart the latter. A shootout ensues, and Ibañez takes down the other gun runners. Police reinforcements arrive and seize the shipment.

Meanwhile, at the mansion of Ex-Governor Pablo Gabor is having a discussion with the police chief and Raf, the henchman. The ex-governor accuses the vice mayor of leaking information about his illegal businesses to the authorities. Raf confirms this, claiming he saw the vice mayor coming from Manila.

The ex-governor advises the police chief to talk to the vice mayor to gain his support. He secretly orders Raf to get ahead of the police chief at the site of the vice mayor's consultation with the townsfolk.

At the community meeting, Barangay Captain Milo stresses the need to stop the ex-governor's illegal businesses for the sake of the townsfolk's children. They sign a petition in support of this move. However, a spy informs Raf of the meeting's location, prompting an attack. Milo, Karias and the vice mayor manage to escape.

Elsewhere, Cris is unable to attend the meeting due to illness. He sends his daughter Bella to the fish pond. There, Bella witnesses Raf shooting the vice mayor. Shocked, she flees from Raf's men and narrowly escapes.

The CIS Chief orders Ibañez to proceed to Sto. Niño, Ilocos to investigate the vice mayor's murder -- with David as his mission partner. Though hesitant because of David's hot temper, Ibañez is told their contrasting personalities make a good team. Upon arrival, they coordinate with Milo to arrange protection for Bella, the sole witness to the crime.

While Bella hesitates to testify, Ibañez and David continue to clash with the ex-governor's men. Eventually, Bella agrees to speak and joins the duo. In retaliation, Raf brutally beats Cris.

The police chief, acting as the ex-governor's emissary, approaches Ibañez and David separately with bribes. Both refuse, but David mistakenly believes Ibañez accepted money, sparking a fight. Bella intervenes, threatening not to testify if they continue.

The ex-governor then orders Raf to summon a hitman called El Tigre to finish the job. This move also prompts the police chief to break away from the ex-governor's influence. Attacks against Ibañez and David intensify, and Raf kidnaps Bella. With Ibañez’s help, David rescues her successfully.

Raf and his men retaliated, killing Milo. Together with the police chief's men, Ibañez and David stormed the stronghold of the ex-governor. Ibañez killed El Tigre, who was hiding in the confessional, followed by Raf, and finally the ex-governor himself. David came to Ibañez’s aid—though he had fallen, he was saved by his bulletproof vest. In the end, Ibañez and David bid farewell to Bella as they needed to undergo debriefing. But Bella insisted on joining them. In a final moment, Ibañez and David kissed her on both cheeks.

MAIN CAST

Edu Manzano ... Ibanez

Luisito Espinosa ... David

Sharmaine Suarez ... Bella

Charlie Davao ... Ex-Governor Pablo Gabor

Jess Lapid Jr. ... Raf

Romy Diaz ... El Tigre

Conrad Poe ... Gun Runner

Jess Vargas ... CIS Chief

Max Alvarado ... Barangay Captain Milo

Renato Robles ... Police Chief

Dante Castro ... Karias

Cris Daluz ... Cris

Robert Rivera ... Vice Mayor

SELECTED CREW

Direction ... Leonardo L. Garcia

Story and Screenplay ... Oden Amurao

Cinematography ... Ricardo Herrera

Production Designer ... Neil Espolong

Editing ... Rene Tala

Musical Direction ... Nonong Buencamino

Executive Producer ... Espiridion Laxa

Full Movie: EDL Productions / OctoArts Films / YouTube