May Minamahal (film)
| May Minamahal | |
|---|---|
 The poster of the restored version | |
| Directed by | Jose Javier Reyes |
| Written by | Jose Javier Reyes |
| Produced by |
|
| Starring | |
| Cinematography |
|
| Edited by | George Jarlego |
| Music by | Nonong Buencamino |
Production companies | |
| Distributed by | Star Cinema |
Release dates |
|
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.[1] Its rough translation in English is "Loving Someone".[2] 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.[3] 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.[4][a]
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.[6]
Filming staff and crew
Few of the film's personnel and resources were from Regal Films as well as the filming unit itself.[4]
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.[7]
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).[8][9][10] 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.[11][12]
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
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[13] | 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 |
References
- ^ "'May Minamahal': Just a simple love story". Manila Standard. Kamahalan Publishing Corp. December 6, 1993. p. 21. Retrieved May 6, 2021.
- ^ Aga, Aiko `bubuhayin' nina Anne at Oyo (Tagalog)
- ^ "MAY MINAMAHAL REELive the Classics Premiere Night". Facebook. February 19, 2018. Retrieved December 13, 2019.
- ^ a b c Domingo, Gay Ace (February 18, 2018). ""May Minamahal" Captured a Rare Time in Pinoy Movies: "Parang Naglalaro Lang Tayo No'n."". METRO. Retrieved May 5, 2021.
- ^ "Aga, Aiko play happy couple in 'Minamahal'". Manila Standard. Kamahalan Publishing Corp. December 28, 1993. p. 19. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
- ^ "Isko Moreno: 5 Things To Know About The Manila Mayor". Tatler Philippines. July 6, 2021. Retrieved July 11, 2021.
- ^ Policarpio, Alan (December 14, 2019). "Aga Muhlach in touch with original 'Miracle' star Ryu Seung-ryong". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved May 31, 2021.
- ^ Valiente, Tito Genova (September 27, 2018). "The Philippine film industry a star after 100 years". Business Mirror. Retrieved December 13, 2019.
- ^ "マリルー・ディアス＝アバヤ監督とフィリピン映画". Cinela. November 1, 2003. Retrieved December 13, 2019.
- ^ "Focus on Asia Archives: 1996 (6th)". Fukuoka International Film Festival. Retrieved 13 June 2021.
- ^ San Diego Jr., Bayani (February 26, 2018). "Aga, Aiko reunite for restored rom-com". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Philippine Daily Inquirer, Inc. Retrieved December 13, 2019.
- ^ Santos, Camille (February 21, 2018). "MYXCLUSIVE: "MAY MINAMAHAL" GETS DIGITALLY RESTORED!". MYX Philippines. Archived from the original on December 13, 2019. Retrieved December 12, 2019.
- ^ "Metro Manila Film Festival:1993". IMDB. Retrieved 2014-04-09.
Notes
- ^ Through official information, Adan Ronquillo: Tubong Cavite, Laking Tondo, also in 1993, was first produced by Regal Films and distributed by Star Cinema; making it as their first film of the company.
- ^ She turned 18 years old at the time of the film's release.
