''Family Matters'' is a 2022 Philippine

drama film In film and television, drama is a category or genre of narrative fiction (or semi-fiction) intended to be more serious than humorous in tone. Drama of this kind is usually qualified with additional terms that specify its particular super-g ...

directed by Nuel Naval and produced under Cineko Productions and

Top Story Thomas Edward Llamas ( ; born July 2, 1979) is an American Journalism, journalist who was the weekend anchor for ''ABC World News Tonight, World News Tonight'' on American Broadcasting Company, ABC from 2014 to 2021. Afterward, he left ABC News ...

. It was released theatrically on December 25, 2022 as an entry to the

2022 Metro Manila Film Festival The 2022 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) is the 48th edition of the annual Metro Manila Film Festival held in Metro Manila and throughout the Philippines. It is being organized by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA). During ...

Premise

''Family Matters'' revolves around the family of an elderly married couple consisting of Francisco (

Noel Trinidad Noel Trinidad (born ) is a Filipino television, film, and theater actor and comedian. Career Trinidad started his acting career on radio. He read lines for radio before a live audience which he used to improve upon his facial expressions. His f ...

) and Eleanor (

Liza Lorena Elizabeth Ann Jolene Luciano Winsett (born October 31, 1949), known professionally as Liza Lorena, is a Philippine actress. She was a First Runner-Up in the Bb. Pilipinas pageant in 1966. Career Lorena was a flight stewardess (for PAL domestic ...

), and their children: Kiko (

Nonie Buencamino Anthony Buencamino (born November 28, 1966), professionally known as Nonie Buencamino, is a Filipino character actor known for his theater work. He is strongly associated with Philippine New Wave Cinema, playing roles such as Mayor Bartolome in Jun ...

), Fortune (

Mylene Dizon Mylene Dizon (; born September 6, 1974) is a Filipino actress and model. Dizon has established herself as one of the most renowned actresses in Philippine cinema with an astounding 30 films and nearly 50 television roles to her credit, as well ...

), Ellen (

Nikki Valdez Maria Alinica "Nikki" Valdez-Garcia (born January 25, 1979) is a Filipina actress and singer. Career In the Philippine music scene she was known for a ballad titled "Meron Ba?", composed for the soundtrack of ''G-Mik the Movie'' and ''Trip th ...

), and Enrico ( JC Santos). Ellen flies for the United States in a bid to find a romantic partner, leaving the three other siblings to take care of their parents.

Cast

as Francisco **

Ketchup Eusebio Michael Allen Eusebio (born September 9, 1985), better known by his stage name Ketchup Eusebio, is a Filipino Filipino may refer to: * Something from or related to the Philippines ** Filipino language, standardized variety of 'Tagalog', the n ...

as young Francisco *

as Eleanor ** Roxanne Guinoo-Yap as young Eleanor *

as Kiko – Francisco and Eleanor’s eldest child * Agot Isidro as Kiko's wife *

as Fortune – the second of Francisco and Eleanor's children *

as Ellen – the third of Francisco and Eleanor's children *

James Blanco James Blanco Castillo (born June 15, 1981), known professionally as James Blanco, is a Filipino singer-songwriter, actor, and model. A freelance actor, he is known for his roles in '' Ikaw Lang ang Mamahalin'' (2001 – 2002), '' Rubi'' (2010), ...

as Fortune's husband * JC Santos as Enrico – the youngest child of Francisco and Eleanor *Ian Pangilinan as Francis — eldest son of Kiko * Anna Luna * Ina Feleo *Allyson McBride *Kzhoebe Nichole Baker as Ivy

Boots Anson-Roa Maria Elisa Cristobal Anson-Rodrigo (née Anson; born January 30, 1945), better known as Boots Anson-Roa, is a Filipina actress, columnist, editor, and lecturer. Early life and education Anson-Roa, a Bicolana, is the eldest daughter of post-w ...

was offered to portray the role of Eleanor but had to decline due to recovering from an illness and conflict of interest reasons for being part of the Metro Manila Film Festival Screening Committee.

Production

''Family Matters'' was produced under Cineko Productions and directed by Nuel Naval and written by Mel Mendoza-del Rosario. Prior to the

COVID-19 pandemic The COVID-19 pandemic, also known as the coronavirus pandemic, is an ongoing global pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The novel virus was first identif ...

, Cineko has expressed interest producing a film with Naval, who had not made a film with the studio outfit before. Naval had to deal with constraints caused by the pandemic for the film's production. He was given freedom to choose the members of the cast by the film's producer Enrico Roque. Naval has contrasted ''

Tanging Yaman ''Tanging Yaman'' (International Title: ''A Change of Heart'') is a 2000 Filipino religious-family drama film produced by Star Cinema. Directed by Laurice Guillen, the film garnered several awards, especially at the 2000 Metro Manila Film Fest ...

'' with ''Family Matters'' describing the former as tackling faith and family wealth while the latter just deals with contemporary everyday family affairs.

Reception

Box-office

''Family Matters'' has reportedly earned on its first day nationwide.

Release

''Family Matters'' is premiered in cinemas in the Philippines on December 25, 2022 as one of the eight entries of the

. It was released in the United States on February 3, 2023.

References

External links

* {{IMDb title, 25145532 Philippine drama films Films about families Films about old age Films about Filipino families Films about siblings