Regal Entertainment’s attempt to create another, major movie franchise in the mold of Mano Po film series gave the Filipino moviegoers two adorable comedy flicks.
Mano Po is unquestionably one of Regal Entertainment’s most successful movie franchises. Before it, the movie studio already established itself as a box-office behemoth, having produced the Shake, Rattle, & Roll series, which is widely considered the most commercially-successful horror franchise in Philippine cinema. Regal Entertainment seems to have mastered the art of producing mega film franchises, hence the efforts it exerted to produce more, in the past few decades.
Manay Po is one of those franchises, which the Monteverdes hoped to duplicate the success of Mano Po, from which it spawned. While the former is also a family film, its plot does not revolve around Filipino-Chinese families. It follows the story of a single mom and her three children, who are all members of the LGBTQIA+ community.
The first installment of Manay Po (2006) is centered on Luz Catacutan (Cherry Pie Picache), a single mother who tries to raise her three kids, Orson (John Prats), Oscar (Polo Ravales), and Orwell (Jiro Manio). The film focuses on how she navigates protecting her family, and the fact that all her children are gay men. The second installment came out in 2008, titled Manay Po: Overload. This time, the attention of the story shifts to Orson, Oscar, and Orwell, and how they navigated their relationship with their mom, and the men they chose to love.
In the second film. The eldest son, Oscar, and his partner are trying to have a child, through Bette (Ruffa Mae Quinto), a woman who agreed to be their child’s surrogate mother. Overload also explores Orwell’s coming out, and Orson’s high school adventures. Bette’s link to the theft in the first film is exposed in this sequel.
Unfortunately, Manay Po 2 did not enjoy the same commercial success as its predecessor, hence Regal Entertainment’s decision to terminate the franchise. However, one can’t deny the good vibes and also lessons, that this charming gay-themed movie brought.
Missing the riot of laughter and ‘kilig’ from the film? Browse through the photo gallery below. Don’t forget to share your thoughts and recollection in the comment section:
