May Minamahal (film)

This article is about the 1993 film. For the 2007 TV series of the same title, see May Minamahal (TV series).

May Minamahal
The poster of the restored version
Directed by	Jose Javier Reyes
Written by	Jose Javier Reyes
Produced by	Charo Santos-Concio Lily Monteverde Simon C. Ongpin
Starring	Aga Muhlach Aiko Melendez
Cinematography	Arnold Alvaro Jun Pereira
Edited by	George Jarlego
Music by	Nonong Buencamino
Color process	Eastmancolor
Production companies	Star Cinema Regal Films
Distributed by	Star Cinema
Release dates	December 25, 1993 (1993-12-25) (Philippines) September 15, 1996 (1996-09-15) (Japan) February 21, 2018 (2018-02-21) (Restored 4K version)
Running time	118 minutes
Country	Philippines
Languages	Filipino English

May Minamahal (English: 'Loving Someone') is a 1993 Filipino romantic comedy-drama film written and directed by Jose Javier Reyes. It was the first romantic drama film produced by Star Cinema, and its third film overall. Its rough translation in English is "Loving Someone". This is the first film where Aga Muhlach and Aiko Melendez were first paired up in a lead role.

The film was co-produced by Regal Films and also re-released on home video releases by Regal Home Video in 1994 and 2002, internationally. In 2007, it was adapted into a television series of the same name by ABS-CBN as the third installment of Sineserye Presents.

In 2018, the film was digitally restored and remastered in 4K high definition by ABS-CBN Film Restoration and L'Immagine Ritrovata. It was released on February 21, 2018 on cinema and December 1, 2019 on free-to-air television through the Restored Classics banner of ABS-CBN's Sunday late-night special presentation block Sunday's Best.

Synopsis

May Minamahal tells the story of a romance between Carlitos Tagle, the only son of an all-female family, and Monica Fernandez, the only daughter of an all-male family as they faced many challenges during their relationship like the rift between Carlitos and his family for a girl, an argument regarding disapproval of Monica's influence over Carlitos by his family, and the responsibilities and obligations of Carlitos from both home and work where he has no allotted time for himself. The film highlights the romantic relationship faced with numerous problems to solve.

Plot

The film begins with the whole Tagle family preparing for a family picnic in Tagaytay but some moments later, a tragedy ensued when the family patriarch Ronald suffered a heart attack and died. After the funeral, they were condoled by their friends and family relatives for the death of Ronald and Carlitos, the only son of the family, is now the patriarch of the family as told by their aunt Gloria when she comforted her sister Becky from the loss of her husband. Days after the funeral, Carlitos was joined by his workmates to eat lunch at the office's cafeteria and starts meeting with the cafeteria's part-time worker Monica, who was initially offended by Carlitos' staring at her and she teased him, marking the beginning of a friendship. Back at home, Carlitos and his sisters Trina, Mandy, and Pinky are gathered together discussing their finances and assets including the vehicles. Since Trina usually drives the family car due to her busy commitments at the advertising, the family decided to sell their family van despite the complaints from Mandy. Soon after, Carlitos began exchanging a short conversation with Monica, who was actually a college student and her father agreed to work at her aunt. Later, Carlitos became pressured from the problems involving the van being sold at a deficit price and his altercation with his younger sister Mandy for going home late from her boyfriend, leading to his mother Becky resolving the issues.

At the supermarket, while Carlitos is buying groceries, Monica shows up since she doesn't have classes on Monday, prompting Carlitos to invite her for a merienda after that. Monica agrees to join. Later at the fast-food restaurant, they eat and exchange stories together, particularly topics that they are in common with like sports and movies. At night, Carlitos returns home from Monica's car and promises to call her later on the telephone. As Monica returns home, she was scolded by her older brother Bombit due to her use of his car and she handles the cooking for dinner instead. A few moments later, Carlitos and Monica began exchanging stories on the telephone. The former being witnessed by his sisters while the latter being distracted from the loud rock music from Bombit, as warned by her other older brother Jun. On the following sunny day, the whole Tagle family is bonding together. Carlitos promised his mother that he would take care of all the obligations that their family had.

To see Monica, Carlitos began paying a visit to her household and he meets her family consisted of her father Cenon, older brothers Bombit and Jun, and cousin Didoy. He, along with Monica's whole family, began bonding together while eating lunch. On the night of their first date, Carlitos and Monica are at the fancy restaurant but they went to the delicious carinderia that serves delicious mami noodles instead as insisted by the latter. After a few days, his mother and three sisters began noticing Carlitos' new lifestyle including the use of cologne, suspecting that he has a girlfriend.

In the end, Carlitos and Monica were finally married with their respective families being present to witness their ceremony.

Cast

Character	Actor
Carlitos Tagle	Aga Muhlach Aaron Muhlach (11 y/o) Isko Moreno (15 y/o)
The only son of Ronald and Becky. After his father's death, he became the patriarch of the family and he handles the responsibilities that his late father left behind. He met Monica at the company's cafeteria where she was a part-time worker and their meeting would turn into a romantic relationship. He is 24 years old.
Monica Fernandez	Aiko Melendez
The only daughter of Cenon and his unnamed deceased wife. She is a college student and a part-time worker at the cafeteria ran by her aunt. At the same time, she met Carlitos whom their friendship will turn into a romance. She is 20 years old and classified a tsundere.
Rebecca "Becky" Tagle	Boots Anson-Roa
Carlitos and his sisters' loving mother and Ronald's husband.
Ronald Tagle	Ramil Rodriguez
Becky's husband and a loving father to Carlitos and his three sisters. He died of a heart attack while planning for a picnic. His only son succeeds as the patriarch where he would handle all the obligations he had left.
Cenon Fernandez	Ronaldo Valdez
Monica and her brothers' loving widowed father. He owns a lot of jeepneys and works as a jeepney driver and mechanic.
Trina Tagle	Agot Isidro
The first of Carlitos' three sisters and she is the eldest. She works at the advertising agency and usually goes home at late night.
Leo	Aljon Jimenez
One of Carlitos' workmates in the company.
Bombit Fernandez	John Estrada
The first of Monica's two rowdy older brothers. He is a black-belter in judo.
Ines	Liza Lorena
The first of Becky's two closest sisters. She is a businesswoman.
Pinky Tagle	Claudine Barretto
The second of Carlitos' three sisters and she is the youngest. She is very close to her brother ever since their father passed away.
Gloria	Marita Zobel
The aunt of Carlitos and his sisters and Becky's sister.
Jun Fernandez	Bimbo Bautista
The last of Monica's two rowdy older brothers. He is a varsity player of the basketball and baseball teams.
Mandy Tagle	Nikka Valencia
The last of Carlitos' three sisters and she is the younger. She is usually made arguments with her brother.
Didoy	Ogie Diaz
The gay-mannered relative of the Fernandez family. He was constantly pranked and harassed by Bombit.
Ellen	Gina Leviste
Carlitos' boss at the company.
Mrs. Teresing	Malou Crisologo
Cenon's cousin sister and also the aunt of Monica and her two brothers.

Also starring

• Alma Lerma as Geronilla (in TV series is Yvette)
• George Lim as Tito Momoy
• Fina Peralejo as Kristine

Production and development

May Minamahal began its development in early 1993 when Star Cinema, the film's producer and distributor, began its existence as a joint venture between ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation and Regal Films on May 8, 1993.

Casting

The said film is also the first Star Cinema project for Agot Isidro, Nikka Valencia, Boots Anson-Roa, and Claudine Barretto.

Then-newcomer Isko Moreno, who began his prominence at the entertainment landscape in 1993, was cast as the high school-aged Carlitos and it served as his major break, alongside his hosting performances at GMA Network's variety show That's Entertainment.

Filming staff and crew

Few of the film's personnel and resources were from Regal Films as well as the filming unit itself.

Music

The film's theme song, May Minamahal, originally sung by Hajji Alejandro in 1977, was performed by Agot Isidro and composed by Willy Cruz.

Production credits

• Writer and Director: Jose Javier Reyes
• Producers: Charo Santos-Concio, Lily Y. Monteverde, Simon C. Ongpin
• Studio Manager and Post-Production In-Charge (Regal Films): Warlito M. Teodoro
• Line Producer: Joann Cabalda-Bañaga
• Associate Producer: Grace Bersamin Beleno
• Production Managers: Ed Castillo and Joel Apuyan
• Music: Nonong Buencamino
• Theme Song Composer: Willy Cruz
• Theme Song Performer: Agot Isidro
• Cinematography: Jun Pereira and Arnold Alvaro
• Editor: George Jarlego
• Sound Effects: Rodel Capule
• Assistant Director: Crisanto Andrew Moreno
• Production Designer: Benjie De Guzman
• Dubbing Director: Lucy Quinto
• Film Unit: Regal Films - Unit No. 3
• Post-Production Facilities: Regal Films Inc.
• Post-Production Coordinators: Mo-Dean Riggs, Edna Pacardo, Alie Sajorda, and Nora Reyes
• Color Processing: LVN Pictures
• Stills: Roper's Studio
• Title Design: Cinemagic Inc.

Release

The film was released by Star Cinema on December 25, 1993, as one of the entries for the 1993 Metro Manila Film Festival. This was Aga Muhlach's last Metro Manila Film Festival participation, before he made his comeback in 2019 through the Philippine adaptation of Miracle in Cell No. 7 by Viva Films.

May Minamahal was also premiered in Japan on September 15, 1996 as part of the 1996 Fukuoka International Film Festival with Japanese and English subtitles. The film's Japanese title is Crazy About You (Japanese: あなたに夢中で, Hepburn: Anatanimuchū de). It was re-released again for exhibition on March 5, 1997.

Digital restoration

The film's restored version was premiered on February 21, 2018, at Power Plant Mall - Cinema 1 in Makati, Metro Manila. The premiere was attended by the film's writer-director Joey Javier Reyes; cast members Boots Anson Roa-Rodrigo, Aiko Melendez, Aga Muhlach, Agot Isidro, Nikka Valencia, Ogie Diaz, Bimbo Bautista, and Malou Crisologo; line producer JoAnn Cabalda Bañaga; production assistant Gay Ace Domingo; and the family of producer Simon C. Ongpin.

Release dates

Country	Date	Notes
Philippines	December 25, 1993	Original release date. One of the entries for the 1993 Metro Manila Film Festival.
Japan	September 15, 1996	Fukuoka International Film Festival 1996
Japan	March 5, 1997	Filipino Movies Festival, sponsored by Japan Foundation.
Philippines	February 20, 2018	Premiere of the 4K digitally restored and remastered version of the film.
Philippines	December 1, 2019	Free-to-air television premiere of the film on ABS-CBN and ABS-CBN HD.

TV series

Main article: May Minamahal (TV series)

In 2007, May Minamahal was remade into a TV series by ABS-CBN and it is part of Sineserye Presents. The lead characters were Anne Curtis and Oyo Boy Sotto.

Awards

Year	Award-Giving Body	Category	Recipient	Result
1993	Metro Manila Film Festival	Best Picture	May Minamahal	Nominated
		Best Director	Jose Javier Reyes	Won
		Best Actor	Aga Muhlach	Won
		Best Supporting Actor	Ronaldo Valdez	Won
		Best Art Direction	Benjie de Guzman	Won
		Best Story	Jose Javier Reyes	Won
		Best Screenplay		Won
		Best Float	May Minamahal	Won
		Gatpuno Antonio J. Villegas Cultural Awards	May Minamahal	Won
1994	Gawad Urian Awards	Best Picture	May Minamahal	Nominated
		Best Direction	Jose Javier Reyes	Nominated
		Best Leading Actor	Aga Muhlach	Nominated
		Best Music	Dionisio "Nonong" Buencamino	Nominated
		Best Editor	George Jarlego	Nominated
		Best Supporting Actor	Ronaldo Valdez	Won
1994	FAMAS Awards	Best Picture	May Minamahal	Nominated
		Best Story	Jose Javier Reyes	Won
		Best Director		Nominated
		Best Leading Actor	Aga Muhlach	Nominated
		Best Supporting Actor	Ronaldo Valdez	Won
		Best Supporting Actress	Boots Anson-Roa	Nominated

External links

• May Minamahal at IMDb