10 Pinoy Movies that Celebrate Mothers

The Filipino mother is a unique and amazing creature all her own, all in a class by herself. Her love for her children and spouse knows no bounds and neither does her patience with her life’s lot. In honor of this most winsome and unflappable of ladies are ten of the most memorable movies in Philippine cinema that make the mother the crux of the picture, whether she be saint, sinner, seductress or subject of satire. Keep a tissue box handy because you’ll either be crying your eyes out or laughing ‘til you break wind  – there is no in-between.

In My Life (2009)

Shirley Templo is a tough-as-nails mother (portrayed by Vilma Santos) who doesn’t take crap from anyone. When her two daughters move out of the country and out of her life, she decides to fly out to New York City to be with her youngest and only son, Mark Salvacion (played by Luis Manzano, her son in real life). What she doesn’t know and later on, cannot accept, is that Mark is gay and has a boyfriend. What Mark does not know is that his mom’s visit is actually permanent. Good luck to them both!

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Mano Po 6: A Mother's Love (2009)

With a stellar cast starring Sharon Cuneta, Christopher de Leon, Boots Anson Roa (yes, they’ve been appearing on this list for some time), Zsa Zsa Padilla and Heart Evangelista, the 6th installment of the vaunted Mano Po series once again takes on the familiar theme of the love-hate relationship between Filipinos and Chinese over generations and cultures. This film follows the rags-to-riches story of Melinda Uy as she struggles with discrimination for being half-Chinese and her family’s abject poverty. Although she strives and sees success, Melinda’s husband and her children are eventually taken away from her – the former from a stroke, and the latter by her unscrupulous in-laws. Eventually, she becomes wealthy and powerful and seeks to be reunited with her children, with her villainous in-laws thwarting her every step.

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Caregiver (2008)

Rare is the Philippine movie screened outside the country – this cinematic delight drew audiences from California to Qatar as many of them could relate to the all-too familiar joys and laments of the titular character. Sharon Cuneta breathes life into the role of Sarah - a grade school teacher who joins a human tide of overseas foreign workers to London to seek a better life and to be reunited with her husband Teddy (a dour John Estrada). Sarah’s work takes her into contact with Morgan and David, a wealthy aged Londoner and his son, and she enters their lives even as she is feeling the strain of her relationship with Teddy. Chito Roño directs.

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Ang Cute ng Ina Mo (2007)

Ai Ai De Las Alas, Anne Curtis, Eugene Domingo and John Lapus team up in an uproarious social critique of the various differences that arise between mixed families from different countries. Ai Ai’s Georgia is a local patis vendor who is reunited with her Australian-raised daughter Christine (played by Curtis) after more than two decades of separation. Between the hi-jinx of culture clashes and the mysteries concerning Georgia and her past, one is guaranteed a rollicking good time with this funky flick.

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Ang Tanging Ina (2003)

Once again, the antics of Ai-Ai de las Alas and her chemistry with the film’s young cast result in this gut-busting gem, making this flick the highest grossing Philippine movie of all time for the next three years. De las Alas plays Ina Montecillo, a thrice-widowed overwhelmed mother of twelve children who has no idea how to juggle making ends meet while managing her family. Hilarity, a case of mistaken identity and lunacy abound especially after Ina considers a career as a stripper.

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Dekada '70 (2002)

A Lualhati Bautista / Chito Roño / Vilma Santos collaboration, the subject matter tackled is about a family undergoing the tumultuous transitions of the Marcos dictatorship. Amanda and Julian are parents whose children rebel and react to the atrocities and excesses of the regime - one child is an activist, another a subversive writer and a third a victim of abuse by the police. Bonus points to Director Roño for bringing back 1970s Manila in meticulous, gritty painstaking detail, from vehicles to clothing and hairstyles and even little touches such as furniture (which is no small matter where Philippine cinematic budgets are concerned).

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Abakada... Ina (2001)

Lorna Tolentino plays Estella, a humble market vendor with very little education. Alicia Alonzo is Miling, Estella’s critical and harsh mother-in-law who considers her son’s spouse to be inept and incapable of dealing with the challenges of raising her brood. The film delves into the complex issues surrounding the dynamics of mother-in-law and daughter-in-law as well as the boundaries between grandmother and grandchildren, and how far they can be overstepped.

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Bata, Bata… Pa'no Ka Ginawa? (1998)

Chito Roño’s coming-of-age movie is based on a Lualhati Bautista novel of the same title, steeped in the ever-evolving roles of women in society and the stages of life, from the milestones of childhood and adolescence into adulthood in the Philippine setting. Vilma Santos is Lea, a beleaguered working mother who starts out with a healthy relationship with her two children. Eventually, the responsibilities of her chosen occupation conflict with the needs of her family, even as time, puberty and an offer from her ex-husband threaten to take them all away from her.

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Madrasta (1996)

From the Spanish word for stepmother, Madrasta is the tale of Mariel (Sharon Cuneta) who weds Edward (Christopher de Leon) after the latter’s wife leaves him and his three children. Mariel faces the task of fitting into the family and gaining the respect, love and acceptance of the new brood she finds herself in while treading the fine line between outsider and interloper. This multi-awarded film was directed by Olivia Lamasan and was one of tragic matinee idol Rico Yan’s earlier roles.

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Wanted: Perfect Mother (1970, with a remake in 1996)

An oldie but goodie, this little confection by cinematic auteur Lino Brocka is based on a series by local comic book legend Mars Ravelo and looks heavily influenced by Rodgers and Hammerstein’s The Sound of Music (at least they didn’t rip off Do-Re-Mi or I Am Sixteen Going on Seventeen for either). A young widower seeks a companion and tutor for his three children, the eldest of which is showing signs of loneliness and withdrawal.  In comes a cheery, plucky and lovely lady with an angel’s voice, who promptly charms herself into the family. The original features Dante Rivero, Boots Anson Roa and Liza Lorena while the 1996 remake stars Christopher de Leon and Regine Velasquez.