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When Ang Tanging Ina was released in 2003, everyone was taken by surprise. Back then, Ai-Ai de las Alas was not a Megastar or a Star for all Seasons who can topbill a movie all on her own. But armed with spontaneous goofs and inventive spoofs, Ang Tanging Ina made millions in the box office, making it one of the highest-grossing Filipino film during that time. (Kris Aquino's Sukob dethroned it in 2006.) After five years, a boob tube spin-off, and another "Ina" movie (Ang Cute ng Ina Mo), Star Cinema revamps the franchise with the sequel Ang Tanging Ina N'yong Lahat.

SYNOPSIS. Ai-Ai returns as Ina Montecillo, the single mother of twelve. Most of the original cast reprises their roles. Eugene Domingo plays the wacky but supportive best friend, Rowena. The children of Ina were played by: Carlo Aquino as Dimitri, Alwyn Uytingco as Pip, Shaina Magdayao as Severina, Serena Dalrymple as Cate, Jiro Manio as Shammy, and Yuki Kadooka as Ten-Ten. Meanwhile, Marvin Agustin (Juan), Nikki Valdez (Tudis), Heart Evangelista (Portia), and Mark Acueza (Sixto) did not reprise their roles. Marvin and Heart are now contract stars of GMA-7, while Nikki and Mark have retired from show business. However, Ina explains their whereabouts during the film's opening sequence.

Faced with the same dilemma she had in Part 1, Ina struggles to make both ends meet for her family but Lady Luck doesn't seem to be on her side. She unwittingly sabotages every chance she gets to secure a stable job. So she continues to jump from one odd job to the next as fast as reality shows churn out new TV stars. But there's more to being a mother than just being an income provider. All she wants is for her children to be proud of her. Ina soon finds herself as a chambermaid in the Malacañang Palace and eventually the president of this 80+ million strong nation. How it happened is for viewers to find out.

For a movie about the president, it is inevitable for Ang Tanging Ina N'yong Lahat not to have political undertones but director Wenn Deramas and screenwriter Mel del Rosario stayed away from such. Being satirical never fails to give comedies a deeper meaning, that beneath the surface of humor and folly lays genuine societal problems. This could have worked for the film's benefit, but Direk Wenn merely scratched the surface and took the safe route. Instead, it reflected on the colorful past of Philippine politics, making pop culture references to snap elections, special treatment to convicted ex-politicians, and Pinoy's obsession with People Power revolutions.

In lieu of the insanely funny spoofs from Part 1, the screenwriter rephrases salawikain (sayings) to become witty lines such as "ang batang masipag, paglaki pagod" and "aanhin mo pa ang mala-palasyong bahay kung hindi ka naman doon nakatira." They become staple quotations uttered by Ina throughout the film.


THE VERDICT. Stripping the film down to its core, the real gift of Ang Tanging Ina N'yong Lahat are the performances. No doubt that Ai-Ai delas Alas is one of the most versatile actresses today. She embodies what the character asks for. Playing a character as comical as Ina, it would be easy for her to reduce the character to a mere caricature. But through Ai-Ai's understanding of the demands of her character, she made Ina a three-dimensional character capable of giving selfless love and making mistakes.

Eugene Domingo also puts her game face on as Ina's sidekick. She has a natural gift of humor. She could play a cactus and still be funny. Whenever this duo is together, the screen lights up with unanimous laughter and cheers. There are corny jokes thrown in once in a while and slapstick humor is abundant but there are several memorable moments worth mentioning.

One of the funny scenes in the movie is when Ina and Rowena caught Jeffrey, played by John Prats, visiting Severina in their humble abode (If you'll remember, Jeffrey used to date Portia. In this sequel, Jeffrey allegedly broke Portia's heart and is now out to get Severina. The best friends confronted Jeffrey and asked him to stay away from Severina. Ina asks, "tutuhugin mo ba ang mga anak ko?" Then Rowena suddenly butts in, "at sino ang isusunod mo, ako?" That scene was definitely hilarious.

Although the supporting cast isn't given much to do, they have their own little moments to shine. Another funny scene is during the confrontation between Dimitri and Pip after the former found out that the latter has a sex scandal currently on circulation. Dimitri says, "Kayo talagang mga bakla, salot!" Without hesitation, Pip answers back, "I may be a slut, but I'm the best slut in town." The line is picked up from a line delivered by Anne Curtis in ABS-CBN's Maging Sino Ka Man. "*****! Salot ang sabi ko, hindi slut," exclaims Dimitri.

Direk Wenn and scriptwriter Mel stick to the formula that made its predecessor a runaway blockbuster hit, combining a hefty dose of comedic stunts and a hint of family drama just enough to wet our hankies. The film could have experimented a bit to shake things up. But as it is, it is good to know that the charm of Ai-Ai and Eugene hasn't worn off one bit in this latest "Ina" installment.

Ang Tanging Ina N'yong Lahat will open in cinemas nationwide starting Christmas Day, December 25.