Sakal, Sakali, Saklolo

(''Choked, Maybe, Help Me'') is a 2007 Filipino romantic comedy film written and directed by Jose Javier Reyes. It is sequel to the 2006 film with Judy Ann Santos and Ryan Agoncillo reprising their roles (both from ''Ysabella'' until it ended on January 18, 2008).

The film was released through Star Cinema on December 25, 2007, as part of the 33rd Metro Manila Film Festival.

Plot

Prologue

Angie and Jed were jolted awake by the sound of their son Rafa crying. As Jed prepared to get up and attend to him, he stumbled and fell off the bed, landing with a thud.

Sakal

As first-time parents, Jed and Angie struggle to balance work and caring for their son, Rafa. They rarely visit their families, avoiding Belita, who is focused on her campaign for councilor of Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija. Rommel, frustrated by Belita’s political ambitions, is especially irritated when she orders neighbors to paint their houses yellow, her favorite color. Meanwhile, Charito is heartbroken that Jed never visits her and Carlos.

Tensions rise when Angie is promoted to executive producer of a public affairs show. Jed is furious, fearing it will mean even less time for their family, but Angie insists they need financial stability. Their relationship is further strained when Angie discovers a photo of Jed with Mariel. She confronts him, but he reassures her that they are just friends and that Mariel is engaged.

Everything shifts when Rafa falls ill. Realizing her priorities, Angie decides to adjust her work schedule to be there for her son.

Sakali

Jed and Angie joyfully celebrated Rafa’s fourth birthday, surrounded by family. Carlos and Charito noticed Rafa conversing with his nanny in Visayan, while Belita observed that he wasn’t allowed to eat sweets like ice cream and chocolates. Meanwhile, Carlos discovered that Rafa’s toy collection excluded toy guns and swords, sparking curiosity about their parenting choices. Their careful and somewhat strict approach became a topic of discussion among Charito, Carlos, and Belita.

Seeking time together, Jed proposed a trip to Barcelona, Spain, but the challenge was finding someone to care for Rafa in their absence. Angie's friend Kaye offered to step in, but Belita, Charito, and Carlos insisted on taking charge of their grandson.

Upon arriving in Barcelona, the couple’s excitement was dampened when Jed discovered his luggage had gone missing. They were soon joined by Jed’s former classmate, Mark, who helped them settle in.

Back in the Philippines, Charito delighted in spoiling Rafa with an assortment of cakes, only for him to suffer stomach aches, worrying Angie from afar. Tensions escalated when Belita, Charito, and Carlos found Rafa in tears, claiming Dennis had hurt him. Furious, Belita confronted Dennis and lashed out, provoking Dennis’s father, Alex, who retaliated by pressing charges against her.

When news of the incident reached Jed and Angie, they immediately decided to return to Manila, realizing that family matters required their presence more than ever..

Saklolo

Angie received a visit from her two brothers, who informed her that Belita is now in a relationship with Douglas, a Filipino-American widower from Chicago and cousin of the Vice Mayor. Meanwhile, Jed learned that his mother, Charito, has a breast tumor. Although the biopsy revealed it to be benign, Charito insisted on further tests.

Later, Angie encountered her brother Otap, whom she scolded for running away. He confessed that he couldn't stand Douglas, who frequently stayed at their house. Angie confronted their mother about allowing Douglas to sleep over, but Belita insisted she would make her own choices without her children's permission. Angie also discovered from Rommel that Belita is filing for annulment to marry Douglas legally.

During a family gathering, Belita announced her engagement to Douglas. Angie confronted her, questioning the motivation behind the marriage. Belita claimed she wanted to be happy, but Angie reminded her that she and her brothers were there to support her. Jed comforted Angie, assuring her that she didn't mean what she said to their mother.

When Jed and Angie visited Belita, they found her depressed after separating from Douglas, who wanted her to move to the United States. Belita planned to take Otap with her to pursue a college degree, but Douglas disagreed, leading her to choose Otap over him.

Amidst these family challenges, Jed, Angie, and Rafa celebrated Christmas with loved ones. Rommel discovered Angie's unusual craving for pickles, which led to the joyful revelation that she is pregnant again, prompting a celebration among the entire family.

Cast and characters

Main cast

*Judy Ann Santos as Angelita "Angie" Mariano-Valeriano
*Ryan Agoncillo as Jerome "Jed" Valeriano

Supporting cast

*Gina Pareño as Belita
*Gloria Diaz as Charito
* Ariel Ureta as Carlos
*Soliman Cruz as Rommell
*Derek Ramsay as Ronnie
*Juliana Palermo as Mariel
* AJ Perez as Otap
*Timothy Chan as Rafa
*Dominic Ochoa as Kenneth
* Lui Villaruz as Erwin
* Kat Alano as Sandra
* Tuesday Vargas as Catalina
*Cheena Crab as Cora
*Byron Ortile as Kevin
*Ricky Davao as Alex
*Ketchup Eusebio as Dodi
*Steven Fermo as Bokbok
*Miles Ocampo as Jane
* Dagul as Bobot
*Jorge Harris Concordia as Bebot
*Carlo Balmaceda as Bronson

Reception

Box office

The movie debuted number 2 at the box office grossing , on its opening day. On its 4th day of release, jump to #1, overtaking Enteng Kabisote 4 at the box office, bringing the total of PHP68.3 Million. As of January 12, the film had grossed .33rd MMFF Movie grosses
/ref> As per announcement made by ABS-CBN's Saturday edition talk show ( Entertainment Live) last January 26, 2008, the movie grossed for a total of over 150 million making it the highest-grossing movie of 2007.

Accolades

Reception

Philippine Senator Aquilino Pimentel, Jr. criticized the film, particularly the scene which smacks of an ethnic slur to non- Tagalog speaking Filipinos when the character of portrayed by Gloria Diaz exclaimed to her grandchild's nannies: "Bakit pinapalaki ninyong Bisaya ang apo ko?" (Why are you rearing my grandchild as a Visayan?) The senator, who hailed from Mindanao, demanded an apology from producer Star Cinema, claiming that it makes non-Tagalog speaking Filipinos "as if they are less Filipino than the Tagalog people". Iligan City-based Call for Justice, Inc., referred to this dialog as "a typical Imperial Manila mentality".

References

External links

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{{MMFF

2007 films
Philippine romantic comedy films
Star Cinema films
Star Cinema comedy films
Films directed by José Javier Reyes