And the Breadwinner Is...[2] is a 2024 Philippine familycomedy-drama film[3] directed by Jun Robles Lana from a screenplay he co-written with Daisy G. Cayanan and Jonathan "Jumbo" Albano, who wrote the story concept.[4] The film features an ensemble cast featuring Vice Ganda and Eugene Domingo. It follows the story of a breadwinner who returns to the country after working overseas.
The film will focus on Bambi Salvador, a breadwinner working as an OFW based in Taiwan for her[a] family coming back home. She then returns to her hometown of Arayat, Pampanga, expecting her dream house to be finished on her birthday. Instead, she returns to see their dilapidated house. They restart "Papsy's Panaderyuh, Home of the Original Kabog," a bakery shop.
The film serves as a tribute to the unsung heroes who carry the weight of their loved ones’ dreams on their shoulders.[3]
Jhong Hilario as Biboy Salvador, Bambi's younger brother
Maris Racal as Buneng Salvador, Bambi's youngest sister
Kokoy de Santos as Boy Salvador, Bambi's youngest gay brother
Gladys Reyes as Mayet Salvador, Bambi's sister-in-law and Biboy's wife.
Anthony Jennings as Anton "Tonton" Cruz, working as a life insurance agent
Via Antonio as Paeng, Bambi's cousin and caretaker of Momshie Salvador
Malou De Guzman as Momshie Salvador, Bambi's mother and Popshie Salvador's wife
Argus Aspiras as Puge Salvador, younger son of Biboy and Mayet Salvador
Kulot Caponpon as Danda Salvador, older daughter of Biboy and Mayet Salvador
Special Participation
Joel Torre as Popshie Salvador, Bambi's late father and Momshie's husband
Kiko Matos as Tope
Petite as Mikha, the employee OFW of Taiwan and the sister of Eilas
Lassy Marquez as Jovi, Izzy's husband and Bambi's friend
MC Muah as Izzy, Joberito's partner and Bambi's friend. A security guard from Home Sweeeet Home
Coco Martin as R.N. Eilas, the brother of Mikha; A working registered nurse in Arayat General Hospital, Pampanga
Production
In 2023, Vice Ganda was supposed to do a project with The IdeaFirst Company originally scheduled for a 2023 Metro Manila Film Festival release but was postponed due to a scheduling conflict.[8] In early 2024, Vice Ganda teased regarding a collaboration project with award-winning director Jun Lana during co-actors Gladys Reyes and Cristopher Roxas wedding anniversary celebration.[9] On April 18, 2024, Vice Ganda posted a "new movie alert" teaser on his social media pages. On April 19, 2024, Director Lana joined Ganda on the noontime show It's Showtime to announce the title of the film. This is the first time Lana will direct Vice Ganda.[2] Lana is known for his award-winning directing and writing works for the films Barber's Tales (2013), Die Beautiful (2016), Ang Dalawang Mrs. Reyes (2018) and About Us But Not About Us (2022).[4][10]
Ganda noted how filming for And the Breadwinner Is... is the "most peaceful" in comparison to his previous projects. He also said that the film would have more drama compared to previous comedy films he appeared in.[11]
Jhong Hilario, notable for his co-hosting duties on It's Showtime, has been announced as part of the film and expressed gratitude towards Vice Ganda for extending the opportunity citing the television series Ang Probinsyano as his last significant acting venture.[2] The movie also served as his reunion with Lana, having worked previously together in two movies directed by Marilou Diaz-Abaya, Sa Pusod ng Dagat and Jose Rizal, where Lana served as writer and Hilario as cast member for the two films.
Filming started on June 27, 2024, in various locations around Metro Manila.[failed verification][16] On August 13, 2024, Vice Ganda and other casts flew to Taiwan to shoot some of the scenes.[17]
Music
The song "Mapa" by Filipino boy band SB19 was used as the theme for the film. It was originally released in 2021 as part of the EP, Pagsibol.[18][19]
Release
And the Breadwinner Is... was theatrically released in cinemas in the Philippines on December 25, 2024, as one of the entries of the 50th Metro Manila Film Festival.
Reception
Critical reception
Josh Mercado, writing for ABS-CBN News, gave the film a positive review, praising the performance of lead star Vice Ganda for capturing the audiences' hearts for playing the family breadwinner which can relate to everyone, and writer-director Jun Lana for its direction.[20] Hannah Malorca, writing for the Philippine Daily Inquirer, also gave praise not only to the lead star and director but also to the performances of the ensemble cast; however, in some aspects of the screenplay, she found faults for its lack of execution in featuring the harsh realities of Vice's character.[21]
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