Ang Tanging Ina (roughly "The One and Only Mother") is a 2003 Filipino comedy film directed by Wenn V. Deramas and starring Ai-Ai delas Alas and Eugene Domingo. The film tells the story of a thrice-widowed mother of twelve children and the trials they go through as a family. Produced by Star Cinema, the film was theatrically released on May 28, 2003.
It broke the record for the highest grossing Filipino film of all time, surpassing Anak; it was later surpassed by Sukob in 2006. The film's success spawned a television series of the same name, as well as three sequels: Ang Tanging Ina N'yong Lahat, Ang Tanging Ina Mo: Last Na 'To!, and Enteng ng Ina Mo.
Contents
Plot
Ina has four children from each of her three husbands who all die under comedic circumstances. Tony, a wealthy gambler, dies after falling from a stool while watching a spider derby; Alfredo, a medical doctor, dies while evacuating from a movie theater; Kiko, a driver, is electrocuted to death on their wedding day which they had saved up for. Afterwards, Ina decides not to remarry. She later sells her second husband's bus company for a meager sum, causing her to worry about supporting her growing children. Her eldest, Juan, begins to seek employment after caring for the household while Ina searches for work. Tudis, the second child, struggles to keep a job as she pursues an art career; the fourth child, Por, anticipates a lavish debut party beyond what Ina could actually afford.
After working odd jobs, Ina finds steady income working as a drag performer at a nightclub, allowing her to care for the family in the daytime. However, her new job also becomes a source of embarrassment for her children. Tri, the third child, is especially affected as he distances himself from his studies after his girlfriend’s parents prevent them from dating because of Ina’s lowbrow profession. Meanwhile, Pip, the fifth child, is a closeted homosexual with a crush on one of the school athletes; Seven, the seventh child, struggles to write an essay about mothers for a contest. Six, the sixth child, invites Ina to a prayer retreat with him but Cate, the eighth child, tricks her into attending the venue dressed as a witch, humiliating Six and frightening his schoolmates. Amidst the turmoil, Ina finds comfort in her lifelong friend Rowena.
Juan now works at an amusement park where he reunites with his old girlfriend Jenny. They eventually discuss marriage until Juan brings Shammy, the ninth child, to the hospital. Shammy had been bullied in school due to being uncircumcised, pressuring him to have a cheap circumcision that results in an infection. Ina soon arrives at the hospital with help from a taxi driver named Eddie. The two grow close while monitoring Shammy’s recovery. One day, Ten-Ten, the tenth child, suddenly goes missing. Ina and Seven find him at a church while praying, and later discover that he is deaf. After bringing Ten-Ten home, Ina confronts her children about their true financial situation which has led her to work multiple jobs. Everyone is moved except Juan who elopes with Jenny.
To preserve her children’s dignity, Ina resigns from her job at the club. On the bus ride home, she catches a suicide bomber and alerts the other passengers to evacuate. Ina escapes the bus herself shortly before the bomb detonates, killing the bomber and leaving her with minor injuries. The children rush to the hospital where they tearfully reconcile with their mother. At Por’s smaller debut party, Juan and Jenny choose not to marry yet, Tri reunites with his girlfriend, Pip comes out to Ina, and Seven wins her essay contest. Eddie joins the party but is launched into the air by a firecracker in his pocket. Ina narrates that he survived and later married her but the accident left him unable to have children. During the credits, the family learn sign language together to communicate with Ten-Ten.
Cast
The Montecillo Family
Ai-Ai delas Alas as Ina Montecillo, the matriarch of the Montecillo family who works several jobs to support her twelve children whom she gives nicknames based on their numerical order by birth.
Marvin Agustin as Juan Montecillo, the eldest child who is hardworking but also rather loose-lipped.
Nikki Valdez as Gertrudis "Tudis" Montecillo, the second child who has an aspiring career as a painter but struggles to remain employed as a result.
Carlo Aquino as Dimitri "Tri" Montecillo, the third child who is a highly intelligent college student.
Heart Evangelista as Portia "Por" Montecillo, the fourth child who has a sassy attitude and hopes for the "perfect debut" throughout the film.
Alwyn Uytingco as Peter Ivan Potenciano "Pip" Montecillo, the fifth child who is secretly gay and hides his identity from the rest of his family
Marc Acueza as Sixto "Six" Montecillo, the sixth child who is also intelligent and still grappling with the loss of his father.
Shaina Magdayao as Severina "Seven" Montecillo, the seventh child who shows considerable talent as a writer in her class, earning her a nomination into a school essay contest.
Serena Dalrymple as Catherine "Cate" Montecillo, the eighth child who is tomboyish and rather troublesome.
Jiro Manio as Samuel "Shammy" Montecillo, the ninth child (his nickname comes from siyam, the Tagalog word for nine) who is bullied in school due to being uncircumcised as his mother repeatedly forgets to appoint his surgery or misses it.
Other characters
Eugene Domingo as Rowena, Ina's best friend who is fiercely loyal and supportive of her endeavors.
Kaye Abad as Jenny, Juan's college girlfriend who later becomes his co-worker.
Angelica Panganiban as Gretchen, Tri's college girlfriend.
John Prats as Jeffrey, Por's high school crush who agrees to escort Por at her debut and becomes her boyfriend shortly afterwards.
Pinky Amador and Mandy Ochoa as Gretchen's parents.
Andoy Ranay as Bruno, a former technician at Ina's bus company who later invites Ina to work at his nightclub.
Connie Chua as Ina's mother who runs a traveling circus and uses her own daughter for stunts.
Release
Ang Tanging Ina was released on May 28, 2003.
On June 3, 2003, 500 moviegoers watching the film in one of the theaters at SM City Manila panicked and rushed outside the cinema when a scene that features a bus explosion coincided with the loud drilling of construction workers a floor below, causing audiences to assume that a bomb exploded in the building.
Sequel
In 2008, the Star Cinema brought the second installment of Ang Tanging Ina film series which still starred Ai-Ai de las Alas, Eugene Domingo, and several others. The film revolves around Ina (Ai-Ai de las Alas) who lately became the President of the Philippines and overturns the Philippines by ruling it into a whole new dimension of enjoyment which eventually causes her many serious problems about the country and with her family as well.
Television series spin-off
After the original film's phenomenal success, a TV sitcom was produced on ABS-CBN. It aired from August 17, 2003, to January 30, 2005, replacing Home Along Da Riles and was replaced by Goin' Bulilit. All of the actors who portrayed members of Ina's family return with the exception of Alwyn Uytingco who was replaced by Ketchup Eusebio.
The series is currently available on Jeepney TV's YouTube channel (Episode 45 is the only episode not available).
Synopsis
The television sitcom continues the story of the Montecillo family following the events of the 2003 film. The series opens with the planned wedding of Ina Montecillo and Eddie, which is unexpectedly disrupted by the arrival of Goliath, who claims to be Ina's long-lost brother. Goliath comes from Zambales accompanied by members of their tribe and reveals details about Ina's past, including the circumstances surrounding her abandonment by their biological mother at a traveling fair (perya).
Initially distrustful of Goliath and rejecting his claims, Ina's suspicions begin to fade after a serious accident occurs on her wedding day, when she is struck by a fire truck. Goliath assists the family during the crisis and donates blood to save Ina's life, ultimately convincing her of his sincerity. Despite the disruption, Ina and Eddie proceed with their wedding, which takes place inside the hospital room where Ina is recovering.
Following the wedding, Ina becomes increasingly fearful of what she believes to be a curse—that every man she marries is destined to die. Concerned for Eddie's safety, she makes the difficult decision to distance herself from him, sending him to work overseas in Saudi Arabia in an attempt to protect him.
The series then focuses on Ina's life as she continues to raise her twelve children on her own, dealing with everyday family problems, financial struggles, neighborhood conflicts, and humorous misadventures.
Cast
Ai-Ai delas Alas as Ina Montecillo: Ina is the matriarch of the Montecillo family and the mother of twelve children: Juan, Tudis, Tri, Por, Pip, Six, Seven, Cate, Shammy, Ten-ten, Connie, and Sweet. She is known for her fierce devotion to her children and her willingness to take on any job to support them. Throughout the series, Ina works in various occupations while dealing with personal loss, including the death of her husband, Eddie. Despite numerous hardships and a supposed curse affecting her marriages, Ina remains resilient and continues to hold her family together.
Marvin Agustin as Juan Montecillo: Juan is Ina's eldest child and one of the primary providers for the family. Responsible and hardworking, he often acts as a second parent to his younger siblings. Juan saves money from his work in preparation for his planned marriage to his girlfriend, Jenny, while continuing to support his mother and siblings. Years later, prior to the events of the 2008 film sequel, Juan and Jenny migrated to New Zealand for a new life.
Nikki Valdez as Getrudis "Tudis" Montecillo: Tudis is Ina's second child and a college graduate. Practical and dependable, she works to help sustain the family financially. Tudis frequently assists Ina in managing household responsibilities and acts as a voice of reason among her siblings. Years later, prior to the events of the 2008 film sequel, she migrated to Canada where she met the man of her life.
Carlo Aquino as Dimitri "Tri" Montecillo: Tri is the third child of Ina and a bright college student. Intelligent and ambitious, he balances his academic responsibilities with his romantic relationship with his wealthy girlfriend, Gretchen.
Heart Evangelista as Portia "Por" Montecillo: The fourth child of Ina. She is known for her sassy personality and strong interest in fashion and femininity. Years later, prior to the events of the 2008 film sequel, Por migrated to India as a missionary.
Ketchup Eusebio as Peter Ivan Potenciano "Pip" Montecillo: Pip is Ina's fifth child and is openly homosexual. After winning the Super Flying Gay beauty contest, he decided to undergo plastic surgery, which initially shocks the family. Prior to the events of the 2008 film sequel, Pip reverses the surgery, returning to his original appearance.