They Call Me Joy (Filipino: Ligaya ang Itawag Mo sa Akin) is a 1997 Philippine drama film directed by Carlos Siguion-Reyna from a story and screenplay written by his wife, Bibeth Orteza. The film stars Rosanna Roces in the title role.
Produced by Reyna Films and distributed by Star Cinema, the film was theatrically released on January 29, 1997, and it became a blockbuster at the box office.
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Synopsis
Ligaya is a veteran prostitute whose name means "joy", and is ironically tired and unhappy with her lifestyle. Having saved enough money, she decides to leave whoring for good, but love unexpectedly comes her way in the form of a sincere and honest farmer called Poldíng. The farmer, who falls madly in love with her, is Ligaya's ticket to a decent, respectable life.
Roces' oft-quoted line from the film is "Ligaya ang itawag mo sa akin, 'yan ang trabaho ko, nagbibigáy-ligaya." ("Call me 'Joy,' that's my job, giving joy"). It is often used in a humorous context, where the speaker parodies the catty attitude of a prostitute advertising her ability to give "pleasure".
Cast
Rosanna Roces as Ligaya
John Arcilla as Polding
Isabel Granada as Estela
Chanda Romero as Lolay
Armida Siguion-Reyna as Ima
Pen Medina as Tikyo
Eva Darren as Gunda
Ihman Esturco as Mayor
Crispin Pineda as Padre Teofilo
Myrna Castillo as Susan
Macky Villalon as Agnes
Rubirosa as Estela's Aunt
Marie De Castro as Jenny
Sammy Macairan as Abnoy
2020 unreleased remake series
On February 18, 2020, Filipina-Moroccan actress Ivana Alawi was officially announced to lead the main character role for the TV remake of the movie. Unfortunately, Dreamscape Entertainment canceled the TV series remake due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines and the ABS-CBN shutdown. Instead, the series was retooled by Dreamscape as La Vida Lena, starring Erich Gonzales.