The happy-go-lucky family together again

MANILA, Philippines - The riotous adventure of Ai-Ai delas Alas as Ang Tanging Ina continues, with more troubles cropping up like mushrooms along the way.

This time, in Star Cinema’s Ang Tanging Pamilya, Ai-Ai teams up with Pres. Joseph “Erap” Estrada who is making a movie comeback after what seems like ages. However, as they would say, once an actor, always an actor.

“I chose this kind of movie as my comeback vehicle because we need to have a good laugh especially during this challenging times,” said Erap.

Add to the brew overnight sensation Dionesia Pacquiao and you can expect the whole country to laugh even much louder than it ever did over the previous Tanging Ina flicks.

“I’m in good company,” added Erap.

Comedy is not alien territory to Erap who, as a breather from his action roles, starred in the Erap series years ago, proving his comedic mettle with resounding success at the box-office. In the Erap franchise, he had Nora Aunor initially as leading lady (Erap is My Guy) and then Boots Anson-Roa (Tatay Na si Erap, etc.). That’s what the Tanging Ina and Erap franchises have in common — both were patronized by the public who can’t seem to have enough of them.

Directed by Wenn Deramas (who also megged the Tanging Ina movies), Ang Tanging Pamilya also stars Sam Milby, Toni Gonzaga, Janus del Prado, Thou Reyes, AJ Perez, Igiboy Flores, Carl Camo, Miguelito de Guzman, Candy Pangilinan, K. Brosas and Carla Humphries, most of whom were in the previous Tanging Ina movies playing Ai-Ai’s children. Dionesia Pacquiao is having her movie “debut” as Sam’s mother; Erap and Ai-Ai play Toni’s parents.

Described as “a marry-go-round,” Ang Tanging Pamilya is the story of two pairs of lovers, Erap and Ai-Ai as heads of a huge family and Sam and Toni, who want to get married after a two-year long-distance relationship, coinciding with the wedding Erap promised Ai-Ai for their 25th wedding anniversary. But there are hitches that derail the two weddings, leaving everybody (the audience included) wondering if there will ever be a happy ending for the chaotic families.

“This is probably the most riotous of the Ang Tanging Ina series,” admitted Ai-Ai. “It’s a big honor for me to star in a movie with Erap. ‘Yung kissing scene namin ay malaking bonus na para sa akin.”

Ang Tanging Pamilya will open in theaters nationwide on Nov. 11.