Magnifico

A Filipino cinematic gem that went largely unnoticed during its commercial run. Thankfully, it got the acclaim it truly deserves when it won both the grand prix and children's jury prize -- a feat never before achieved -- in the 2004 Berlin Film Festival.

A Palanca-winning story, masterful directing and great acting from just about everyone in the cast, but most specially child actors Jiro Manio, Isabella de Leon and the boy who played Manio's best friend, combine for a viewing experience you will remember long after the credits roll. Poverty and death do not beg for sympathy and tears in this movie, but they are likely to fall just the same.

Could be veteran (though nonetheless underrated) director Maryo J. delos Reyes' most heartwarming, uplifting film.

i think Magnifico is really great.I cried while watching the movie.One of the best Filipino movies I've ever seen. The story is so simple but the message is so deep. It's nice to know that kids can think beyond everyday living even if his family is only poor. Jiro Manio's (Pikoy) portrayal of a young boy who took it upon himself to raise money in order for her grandmother's burial/death to be less hard on the family financially was so poignantly moving.The acting of the other cast were also really good especially for the seasoned actors and actresses like Lorna Tolentino (Pikoy's mother), Gloria Romero (who played the bedridden grandmother) and Albert Martinez (the father). Isabella de Leon, the girl who played the invalid sister, was also great in her role.

The best movie i have ever seen in my entire life.

The actors, characters, cinematography, storyline are as good as it gets for this particular genre.

Truly inspirational.While most families around the world worries or complain about not having the best of everything, and their lack of appreciation to the simplest, or basic essentials in life, this movie will show how lucky you really are.

I've read some comments that down played the integrity of this movie, and in for obvious reasons, these comments came from people who's never been to the Philippines, who's never experienced poverty, and a complete slave to the "Hollywood" stereotypical way of depicting drama in the movies. The portrayal of the day to day hardships of this Philippine family in this movie is as real as it gets, or worse to some.

If this movie didn't touch you, then look for meetings that can help you.

Unfortunately, I never got the chance to watch this film in Germany when it won its awards at the Berlin Film Festival in 2004. I only had the chance to watch it when I came back to the Philippines and I never really expected what impact it would have on me.

First, it is obvious that Miss Yamamoto is a gifted screenplay writer and director de los Reyes will bring it far in his respective field if he will continue his great contributions for Philippine cinema. Maginifico is really an enlightment and inspiration towards the development of Filipino films. This is what the dying entertainment industry needs right now.

The story and the sound effects were good, the music really fitted very well to the setting. The beginning scenes of the story weren't really captivating at all so one needed patience to get attracted to its plot. The scenes are simple but they become touching once the story gears to an end. In this film, no character has to wail or shout to catch viewers' emotions, the reality and frankness of the film was so direct and impressive that the story simply forces you to cry at some point. I never really cry at movies, even Hollywood tear-jerkers have no effect on me. This one has just awaken so much truth and reality in the Philippine society of poverty and innocence of a child, it really is heartrending.

One thing that could have been improved are the visual qualities of the film, they are really not compatible to global standards. And there were too many scenes at the story that were really out of topic etc. but otherwise, this film really is a knockout. It is a great contribution to the local film industry and films like these with high quality deserve good production and not only support for the commercial mainstream in the Philippines but also in cinemas worldwide. It can really par with many Hollywood masterpieces.

I can't believe that it took me year before I had the "experience" of watching Magnifico. Never had I seen a Filipino movie which moved me to tears that I almost found it hard to breathe..This is one of those Filipino cinematic gems.. The story is simple yet unforgettable..this movie is unpretentious, subtle and humbling. One scene that really made me cry was when they did a slow motion of Jiro walking out of the house carrying his sister on his back to take her out to the "perya" Lorna, the mother, just crying there silently watching her two children was just one of the many unforgettable scenes in the movie. The movie's happy atmosphere in the beginning will cleverly prepare you to a tragic and yet what I consider "beautiful" ending. This movie is one of those stories that will prove that in this world where people consider Me, Myself and I as most important, there is still what we call selfless love.