Mano Po
| Mano Po | |
|---|---|
 DVD cover | |
| Directed by | Joel C. Lamangan |
| Screenplay by | Roy C. Iglesias |
| Story by |
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| Produced by |
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| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Leslie Garchitorena |
| Edited by | Tara Illenberger |
| Music by | Von de Guzman |
| Distributed by | Regal Entertainment |
Release date |
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Running time | 133 minutes |
| Country | Philippines |
| Language | Filipino |
Mano Po (Chinese: 吻手; pinyin: Wěn shǒu; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Bún chhiú; lit. 'Hand Please') is a 2002 Filipino drama film produced by Regal Entertainment, and an entry to the 2002 Metro Manila Film Festival. The film's title refers to the "honoring-gesture" used in Filipino culture as a sign of respect to elders. The film focuses on the lives of the Chinese Filipino community. Mano Po stars an all-star cast headed by Maricel Soriano, Richard Gomez, Kris Aquino and Ara Mina. Eddie Garcia and Boots Anson-Roa play the patriarch and matriarch of the Go clan respectively.
The film won the most major awards in the film-awarding bodies, including 12 awards in the 28th Manila Film Festival in 2002. It was named Best Picture, Best Actor (for Eddie Garcia), Best Actress (for Ara Mina), Best Supporting Actress (for Kris Aquino) and Best Director (for Joel Lamangan). Mano Po was among the top-grossing films in time for the Metro Manila Filmfest.
The film's success was followed by a sequel, Mano Po 2: My Home and a spin-off, Bahay Kubo: A Pinoy Mano Po! that was released in 2007. The film was the first entry into what would become a franchise.
Plot
 | This article needs an improved plot summary. (February 2023) |
Richelle and Raf narrate on a videotape the history of her family. Don Luis Go is a Chinese immigrant who married a Filipina named Elisa. In 1949, the young Luis brought Elisa to China. There Elisa suffered discrimination and misunderstanding from Luis' parents. She decides to go back to the Philippines and Luis joins her. Luis became a cook and Elisa a laundrywoman. Their hard work pays off and they become one of the most prominent Chinese businessmen in the country.
In the present day, the elderly Gos celebrate their wedding anniversary when they are interrupted by their granddaughter Richelle, a delinquent who scandalizes them by wearing revealing clothes, bringing her disreputable boyfriend as a guest and giving them a porn video as a present. Richelle is later arrested on drug charges by policemen led by Raf, who convinces Richelle to turn witness in return for withholding the news of her arrest from her family. Richelle is scorned by the family after she names a family friend as a major drug dealer and her delayed arrival at Elisa's deathbed. Later, Richelle and her sister Juliet are abducted and her other sister Vera's fiancé Emerson is killed. Raf, who develops a romantic relationship with Richelle, rescues her, but Richelle is shot while shielding Juliet and nearly dies. Upon her recovery Richelle reconciles with her family, who give their blessing to her relationship with Raf and to their marriage. The film ends with a presentation of famous Chinese Filipinos in history.
Cast
Main cast
- Maricel Soriano as Vera Go
- Kris Aquino as Juliet Go-Co
- Richard Gomez as PInsp. Rafael "Raf" Bala
- Ara Mina as Richelle Go-Bala
Supporting cast
- Eddie Garcia as Don Luis Go
- Tirso Cruz III as Daniel Go
- Eric Quizon as Joseph Co
- Cogie Domingo as young Luis/Fong Huan
- Jay Manalo as Emerson Lau
- Gina Alajar as Gina Chua-Go
- Amy Austria as Linda Go-De la Madrid
- Boots Anson-Roa as Elisa Malimban-Go
- Maxene Magalona as young Elisa
Minor cast
- Allan Paule as Antonio "Tonyo" De la Madrid
- Jim Pebanco as Mike De la Madrid
- Richard Quan as Joey Yang
- Carlo Maceda as Jimmy Go
- Nanding Josef as Gen. Dioscoro Blanco
Awards
| Year | Award-Giving Body | Category | Recipient | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Metro Manila Film Festival[1] | Best Picture | Mano Po | Won |
| Best Director | Joel Lamangan | Won | ||
| Best Actor | Eddie Garcia | Won | ||
| Best Actress | Ara Mina | Won | ||
| Best Supporting Actress | Kris Aquino | Won | ||
| Best Cinematography | Leslie Garchitorena | Won | ||
| Best Production Design | Tatus Aldana | Won | ||
| Best Editing | Tara Illenberger | Won | ||
| Best Original Story | Roy Iglesias and Lily Monteverde | Won | ||
| Best Screenplay | Roy Iglesias | Won | ||
| Best Musical Score | Von de Guzman | Won | ||
| Gatpuno Antonio J. Villegas Cultural Awards | Mano Po | Won |
See also
- Mano Po (Filipino film series)
- Mano Po 2
- Mano Po III: My Love
- Ako Legal Wife
- Mano Po 5: Gua Ai Di
- Bahay Kubo: A Pinoy Mano Po!
- Mano Po 6: A Mother's Love
- Mano Po 7: Tsinoy
References
- ^ "Metro Manila Film Festival:2002". IMDB. Retrieved April 9, 2014.
