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Sharon Cuneta (left) and Alden Richards —CINEKO PRODUCTIONS
(We are running this guide to help you plan your movie-viewing activity during the holidays. The 49th Metro Manila Film Festival, or MMFF, Christmas Edition runs from Dec. 25 to Jan. 7, 2024.)
Directed by Nuel Naval; written by Mel Mendoza del Rosario; stars Sharon Cuneta, Alden Richards, Miles Ocampo, Jackie Lou Blanco, Soliman Cruz; produced by Cineko Productions.
In this family drama, Cuneta plays Maricar, a caring and protective mother who single-handedly raised her son, Mateo (Richards). While Mateo matures into a gracious man bent on giving his mother a comfortable life, he eventually finds himself in a quandary about his career and personal life.
Seeking love and greener pastures, Mateo decides to join his girlfriend, Czarina (Ocampo), in her move to Singapore. However, that means leaving Maricar behind in the Philippines. Because he can’t bear the thought of leaving his mother alone, he devises a plan to find her a good man who will keep her company.
The idea makes Maricar furious at first. But as the days wear on, she discovers that there’s happiness to be found beyond taking care of her son. Mateo, on the other hand, realizes that home—as they say—is where the heart is.
Naval, who has made it his advocacy to do family-oriented films, considers “Family of Two” an ode to his parents and the values they inculcated in him.
“I grew up in a close-knit, religious and very traditional Filipino family. And this is reflected in my work as a director. For me, these family values will never go out of fashion, and must be shared with our audience,” he said. “It’s basic and should always remain in our consciousness. Love begins at home.”
Richards added: “This is for the whole family, especially the single parents who are able to raise their children all by themselves. It is also for children who do everything for their parents.” — ALLAN POLICARPIO