'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.
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| 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
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