Mano Po 6 (A Mother's Love)

**** Production Company: Regal Films *****

Melinda Uy is a billionaire widow whose life is a rags-to-riches story.

The daughter of a Chinese immigrant and a Filipino small businessman, Melinda had been a victim of discrimination in the local Chinese community, being only half-Chinese.

Melinda was only in her late teens when she got married to Alfonso Uy, the scion of the wealthy Uy clan.

But Alfonso’s parents frown upon the marriage, believing that it is cursed.

Disappointed with Alfonso’s choice of wife, they disinherit him.

The couple strikes out on their own, starting a small business from scratch as they raise a family of their own.

But, as Alfonso’s parents predicted, a string of misfortunes hounds the marriage.

The business they put up enjoys only a brief period of prosperity before it goes bankrupt.

And just when they are slowly recovering from their financial woes, fire breaks out in their residence, wiping out everything they own.

But the worst is yet to come.

By this time, the couple already have four children, namely Carol, the eldest, followed by Stephanie, Audrey and Walden.

But the kids would not enjoy the company of their father for long.

Unexpectedly, Alfonso dies of a massive stroke.

A widow at a young age, Melinda along with her children is compelled to live with her in-laws who maltreat her.

One day, Melinda, along with eldest child Carol, returns to the house of her in-laws from a visit to her mother.

Melinda is shocked to find out that she is no longer welcome.

She is driven away after a failed attempt to take Carol away from her.

Little Stephanie, Audrey and Walden are left behind in the house of the in-laws.

Melinda’s efforts to take custody of them come to naught as her in-laws manage to hide the children from her.

Melinda goes through hell in her attempts to take back her children.

But Melinda’s determination is no match to the power of her in-laws.

Short of giving up, Melinda vows to someday take back her children as she channels her efforts to succeed financially, while continually monitoring the condition of her three children from afar.

Growing up away from her mother, Stephanie learns to hate Melinda, thanks to the constant brainwashing of Aunt Olive who finds pleasure in demonizing Melinda.

Melinda experiences a good turn of fortune in the years that follow.

She becomes one of the most wealthy and powerful women in the business community.

At about this time, the fortunes of her once powerful in-laws are on the decline.

But Stephanie, now a young adult who’s already taking over the businesses of her aunt Olive and grandparents, is about to get married to a shady character, the dashingly handsome Daniel Chan.

Melinda is now ready to revive her claim on her three children, but years of separation make it seem impossible for her to win back their love. But the news of Stephanie’s marriage to Daniel Chan alarms Melinda, forcing the powerful widow to act, thus putting her on a collision course with Olive and the in-laws.

This time, Melinda is determined to succeed in having back her grown-up children. And this time, events transpire to make Melinda prove to her estranged children how much she really loves them.

**** Directed by Joel C. Lamangan. ****

Mano Po 4 (Ako Legal Wife) (2005)

**** Production Company: Regal Films ****

A winning adult comedy about mistress and a desperate housewife! Poor Chona Chong (Zsa Zsa Padilla).

On the surface, she seems to have everything a chinoy woman would want: a wealthy husband named Elton (Jay Manalo) who dotes on her and three attractive children.

There's handsome Hamilton (John Prats); ultra-modern teen Hibiscus (Julianne Lee); and precocious Anthurium (Ella Guevarra).

After 22 years of marriage, however Chona's world is turned upside down when she finds out that Elton is keeping not just one, but two mistresses on the side!

There's Chinese Visayan business wiz Patty (Cherry Pie Picache), with whom Elton has a handsome son named Nixon (JC De Vera).

Then there's the young and athletic Gloria (Rufa Mae Quinto) whose active lifestyle Elton has been trying to keep up with.

These schocking revelations almost drive the insecure Chona to the brinx of insanity.

But rather than confront Elton about his other women, Chona realizes that the only solution is to make herself younger and sexier through her breast augmentation and other cosmetic procedures.

But will it work?

Ako Legal Wife: Mano Po 4? takes a humourous look at the weird and wonderful world of love in Manila, Chinoy style.

Enjoy the company of the desperate wife and scheming mistresses as they fight one another for the rights to take home the man they all love!

**** Directed by Joel Lamangan. ****

Mano Po 2 (My Home) (2003)

**** Production Company: Regal Films *****

Antonio Chan, a successful Chinese businessman, has three women in his life: Sol, a Filipina; Lu Shui, a Chinese; and Belinda, a Filipino-Chinese.

Antonio has children with all three women.

A crisis shakes up the over-extended Tsinoy family prompting all the members to re-examine their values, their relationships, and confront issues that they have refused to face all these years.

With Mano Po 2, My Home, Regal Entertainment’s continues the tradition established by the critical and box-office hit Mano Po.

Features strong dramatic performances from a stellar ensemble cast, lush visuals, a reverberating musical score, an unforgettable theme song, and a heart-warming screenplay that eloquently captures the rich Tsinoy culture.

Laugh, cry, and be touched by this family story about forgiveness, healing and undying love.

**** Directed by Erik Matti ****