Tanging Ina is now "Ina ng Bayan"

Christmas this year will be wackier with Star Cinema’s latest movie offering, Tanging Ina N’yong Lahat.

Starring Ai-Ai delas Alas as Ina Montecillo, Tanging Ina N’yong Lahat is the sequel of Tanging Ina. It promises to be bigger and better among the INA franchise movies.

From being an ordinary mother in Tanging Ina, Ina goes to Malacañang in the sequel and sees action as the President of the Philippines. With her sincerity, motherly care and wacky humor, Ina finds herself in the greatest adventure yet of her life.

“Nagsimula ang pelikula ng tungkol ulit kay Ina after 5 or 6 years. Marami nang nangyari pagkatapos. May mga anak na siya na nakapag-abroad na. Meron nang mga stable, okay na at kumikita na. Ang naging problema nya this time is kung paano ulit magiging proud ang mga anak niya sa kanya,” Director Wenn Deramas said.

Being Star Cinema’s official entry to this year’s Metro Manila Film Festival, Tanging Ina N’yong Lahat kicked off its first leg of promotions in Cebu City last December 5, graced by Ai-Ai delas Alas and Eugene Domingo, who plays bestfriend to Ina.

“Maganda ang pelikula. Isipin nyo naman ordinaryong tao ang magiging lider ng bayan. Struggle para kay Ina kung paano patatakbuhin ang bansa at ang pamilya,” Ai-Ai said in a press conference at the Cebu International Parklane Hotel last December 5.

Tanging Ina N’yong Lahat is a mix of melodrama and comedy.

“Ang mga spoofs ng pelikula at mga salawikain ang nakakatawa. Pati yung mga antics namin ni Eugene. Pero siyempre, dapat may balance. Magiging melodramatic yung movie pagdating sa mga bata,” Ai-Ai said.

Asked as to why Ina Montecillo doesn’t have a leading man (she had one during the TV spin-off in the person of John Estrada), Ai-Ai laughed, “Mas tanggap ng tao na solo ako. Ayaw ata nila na may lovelife ako.”

Best of friends for reel, real Eugene testifies that their relationship as best friends in the movie is for real. “Mag-best friends talaga kami ni Ai-Ai sa totoong buhay. Palagi kasi kami magkasama sa trabaho. Kung may scene kami, minsan kahit nakapikit, alam na namin ang gagawin.” Ai-Ai and Eugene have been comedy tandem in several movies and sitcoms. They managed to keep fresh this ability to make people laugh.

“Nagpapasalamat talaga kami sa regalong ito. Siguro, gifted lang talaga kami kasi natural na itong lumalabas. Kumbaga may magic na si Lord lang ang nakakaalam,” Ai-Ai said.

However, Eugene stressed that this gift has to be nurtured. “Tama po yun. Tsaka po, hindi rin naman namin pinababayaan itong gift na ito. Siyempre, dini-develop at nag-aaral din kami. Nanonood ng mga pelikula at mga artista.”

    Ai-Ai and Eugene also shared that they give back to the Lord and to the community by offering help in many charitable foundations.

 Tanging Ina N’yong Lahat is the Christmas offering of Star Cinema. In the spirit of season, both Ai-Ai and Eugene shared their Christmas wishes for each other.

“My wish for Ai-Ai is more time for herself. At sana makatapos sa pag-aaral ang tatlo nyang anak. Siyempre din, i-enjoy nya ang kanyang kinikita,” Eugene smiled.

Ai-Ai in return said, “For best friend Eugene, lovelife. Parati ko sinasabi sa kanya na magkapamilya ka kasi masarap yun. At tsaka i-enjoy nya ang kanyang bakasyon sa ibang bansa. Mag-out of the country kasi siya.”

For the whole family

As a final note, Ai-Ai shares how proud she is of her latest role and movie. “Ito ay talagang pambuong pamilya, pang-barkada. Kapupulutan ng aral. Mahirap gawin ang movie na ‘to kaya proud talaga ako.”

Aside from Direk Wenn, Ai-Ai and Eugene, most of the well-loved cast returns to reprise their roles. Ina’s children are portrayed by Shaina Magdayao, Carlo Aquino, Alwyn Uytingco, Serena Dalrymple, Yuuki Kadooka. John Prats, DJ Durano and Gloria Diaz join in the cast for their special roles.

Tanging Ina N’yong Lahat opens in theaters nationwide on December 25.