Magnifico (film)
| Magnifico | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Maryo J. de los Reyes |
| Written by | Michiko Yamamoto |
| Produced by | Violeta C. Sevilla |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Odyssey 'Odie' Flores |
| Edited by | Manet A. Dayrit |
| Music by | Lutgardo Labad |
Production company | Violett Film Productions |
| Distributed by | Violett Film Productions |
Release date |
|
Running time | 123 minutes |
| Country | Philippines |
| Language | Filipino |
| Budget | ₱20 million[1] |
Magnifico is a 2003 Philippine coming-of-age drama film directed by Maryo J. de los Reyes and written by Michiko Yamamoto. Starring Jiro Manio, Lorna Tolentino, Albert Martinez, and Gloria Romero, the story follows a titular child character who decides to design and build a coffin for his grandmother as well as raise funds to buy a wheelchair for his younger sister who has cerebral palsy.[2]
Produced and distributed by Violett Film Productions, the film was theatrically released in the Philippines on January 29, 2003. Local and overseas critics generally praised its screenplay, emotional weight, and the cast's performances, and it received numerous accolades from award-giving organizations and international film festivals.
Plot
[edit]In a small town in the province of Laguna, one special boy changes the lives of everyone he meets. Known to all as Magnifico, whose nickname is Ikoy, a child of an impoverished family. His father works odd jobs, his elder brother (Miong) has lost his academic scholarship, and his mother spends her days caring for both Helen, a young daughter who has cerebral palsy, and her husband's aging mother, who lives upstairs in the family home and has diabetes and pancreatic cancer. Magnifico is a sweet and well-intentioned boy who is often berated by his father for his stupidity, an unkind assessment for a child who is considerably more clever than anyone gives him credit for.
Magnifico's world is filled with a cast of characters in need of his special gifts of hope, determination, and love. There's the grief-stricken man who mourns for his mother; two feuding shop owners; the crabby old woman who runs the mortuary; his elder brother, who has a crush on a wealthy girl; his little sister, who wants to get out and experience the world but cannot walk; and his own ailing grandmother, who worries that the family won't be able to afford a proper burial for her when the time comes.
Nonetheless, Magnifico applies himself diligently to the task, concocting a remedy for the mortician's ailments, playing matchmaker for his love-struck brother, industriously scheming to provide a burial gown and coffin for his grandmother, and negotiating a wheelchair so he can take his invalid sister to the carnival. Seeking nothing for himself, with his undaunted dedication to bringing joy to the people he loves, Magnifico somehow manages to find just the right solution to fill every need. And when the night of the big carnival arrives, his efforts pay off in spades.
Magnifico attempts to cross the street and instead gets fatally hit by a car one afternoon. Gerry, Edna, and Lola Magda mourn for their loss, and they rest him in the coffin he had originally crafted and intended for his grandmother. At his interment, Magnifico's family, friends, and the people he has touched are present as the community shares a tearful moment for his undying generosity.
Cast
[edit]- Jiro Manio as Magnifico: The titular 8-year-old child protagonist
- Lorna Tolentino as Edna: The mother of Magnifico and his siblings
- Albert Martinez as Gerry: The father of Magnifico and his siblings
- Gloria Romero as Lola Magda: Magnifico and his siblings' grandmother, Edna's mother-in-law, and Gerry's mother
- Celia Rodriguez as Ka Doring: The mortician
- Mark Gil as Domeng: The man whose mother dies
- Tonton Gutierrez as Ka Romy: Gerry's boss and Isang's father
- Amy Austria as Tessie: Cristy's enemy and a sari-sari store owner
- Cherry Pie Picache as Cristy: A sari-sari store owner and Tessie's enemy
- Danilo Barrios as Miong: Magnifico's college-aged older brother
- Susan Africa as Pracing: Carlo's mother
- Isabella De Leon as Helen: Magnifico's younger sister who has cerebral palsy
- Dindin Llarena as Ria: One of Magnifico's friends
- Joseph Roble as Carlo: Magnifico's best friend
- Girlie Sevilla as Isang: Miong's girlfriend and Ka Romy's daughter
- John Romano as Ria's Father
- Dido De La Paz as Foreman
- Allyson VII Gonzales as Makoy: Miong's peer
- David Granado as Tessie's Husband
- Scarlet as Teacher
- Jojo Vinzon as the gay friend of Tessie
- Dan De Guzman II as the teacher of Magnifico
Production
[edit]The screenplay, written by Michiko Yamamoto and which won first place in the scriptwriting contest, was inspired by her grandmother.[3] Scenes from the film were shot in Pagsanjan, Laguna.[4]
Release
[edit]The film was first released in the Philippines on January 29, 2003, and received endorsement from the Department of Education.[5] It was later given a release at the international film festivals including the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival in the Czech Republic on July 11, as one of its official entries;[6] Fukuoka International Film Festival in Japan on September 13, under the Asian Panorama section;[7] and Toronto International Film Festival in Canada on November 14.[8]
Reception
[edit]Accolades
[edit]| Award-giving organization/Festival | Date | Category | Recipient | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 54th Berlin International Film Festival | February 5-15, 2004 | Crystal Bear for Best Feature Film | Magnifico by Maryo J. de los Reyes | Won | [9] |
| Grand Prix of the Deutsches Kinderhilfswerk | Won | ||||
| 52nd FAMAS Awards | April 17, 2004 | Best Picture | Magnifico | Won | [10] |
| Best Actress | Lorna Tolentino | Nominated | |||
| Best Supporting Actor | Mark Gil | Won | |||
| Best Supporting Actress | Celia Rodriguez | Won | |||
| Best Child Actor | Jiro Manio | Won | |||
| Best Child Actress | Isabelle de Leon | Won | |||
| Best Director | Maryo J. de los Reyes | Won | |||
| Best Story | Magnifico Story by Michiko Yamamoto |
Won | |||
| Best Theme Song | "Ang Aking Munting Bituin" by Gary Valenciano | Nominated | |||
| 27th Gawad Urian Awards | June 19, 2004 | Best Film | Magnifico | Won | [11] |
| Best Director | Maryo J. de los Reyes | Won | |||
| Best Actor | Jiro Manio | Won | |||
| Best Supporting Actor | Albert Martinez | Won | |||
| Mark Gil | Nominated | ||||
| Best Supporting Actress | Gloria Romero | Won | |||
| Isabelle de Leon | Nominated | ||||
| Celia Rodriguez | Nominated | ||||
| Girlie Sevilla | Nominated | ||||
| Lorna Tolentino | Nominated | ||||
| Best Screenplay | Magnifico Screenplay by Michiko Yamamoto |
Won | |||
| Best Cinematography | Odyssey Flores | Nominated | |||
| Best Editing | Manet A. Dayrit | Nominated | |||
| Best Production Design | Gerry Santos | Nominated | |||
| Best Sound | Arnold Reodica | Won | |||
| 22nd FAP Awards | July 3, 2004 | Best Picture | Magnifico | Won | [12] |
| Best Director | Maryo J. de los Reyes | Won | |||
| Best Actor | Jiro Manio | Won | |||
| Best Supporting Actor | Mark Gil | Nominated | |||
| Best Supporting Actress | Gloria Romero | Won | |||
| Best Screenplay | Magnifico Screenplay by Michiko Yamamoto |
Won | |||
| Best Musical Score | Lutgardo Labad | Won | |||
| Best Sound | Arnold Reodica | Nominated | |||
| 34th Gawad Urian Awards | May 17, 2011 | Best Films of the Decade (2000–2009) | Magnifico by Maryo J. de los Reyes | Listed | [13] |
Critical response
[edit]On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 63% of 8 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 6.53/10.[14] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 53 out of 100, based on 11 critics, indicating "mixed or average" reviews.[15]
Domestic
[edit]Lito B. Zulueta, writing for the Philippine Daily Inquirer, described the film as a "first really good movie of 2003", with praise towards its screenplay, where screenwriter Michiko Yamamoto "expertly endows a contemporary and even positivistic flavor to the traditional miracle story" and Maryo J. Delos Reyes' serious direction from the original material. He also commended the cast's performances, including Jiro Manio, Gloria Romero, Albert Martinez, and Lorna Tolentino.[16]
International
[edit]Time Out called the film an "undistinguished gentle comedy that turns into an astoundingly saccharin melodrama".[17] Film critic Vincent Musetto, writing for the New York Post, praised the film for its "well-made" story as well as the acting performances of its lead actors, particularly child actor Jiro Manio. He also commended Delos Reyes' direction and Yamamoto's screenplay for evoking a range of emotions in the audience.[18]
Ferdinand Lapuz, a foreign correspondent for Ricky Lo's entertainment column "Funfare", informed the columnist about the review of the film by film critic Norman Wilner for "Metro" in Toronto, Canada. Wilner's review said that "Magnifico is one of those films in which a decent soul struggles against enormous odds to bring some comfort to the people he loves. It's a melodrama, but it's honest about it".[19]
References
[edit]- ↑ Valera, Nini (March 19, 2004). "Awards give 'Magnifico' second chance in box office". Philippine Daily Inquirer. p. 53. Retrieved March 16, 2026.
- ↑ Francisco, Butch (January 30, 2003). "Truly a magnificent film. Bravo, Magnifico!". PhilStar Global. Retrieved July 24, 2021.
- ↑ Arcellana, Juaniyo Y. (October 14, 2007). "Interior. Evening. The Real Michiko Yamamoto". The Philippine Star. Archived from the original on June 25, 2017. Retrieved June 25, 2017.
- ↑ Gabinete, Jojo (March 29, 2018). "Mga bayan at simbahan sa Laguna, paboritong location ng pelikula at teleserye". Philippine Entertainment Portal. Retrieved September 1, 2026.
- ↑ "DepEd endorse 'Magnifico' film". Philippine Daily Inquirer. February 9, 2003. p. B12. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
- ↑ "KVIFF: Magnifico". Karlovy Vary International Film Festival. Retrieved January 31, 2022.
- ↑ "Focus on Asia Archives: 2003 (13th)". Fukuoka International Film Festival. Archived from the original on February 18, 2018. Retrieved January 31, 2022.
- ↑ Lo, Ricky (November 4, 2003). "Ang bold starlet na nawawala sa sarili". PhilStar Global. Retrieved January 31, 2022.
- ↑ Adlawan, Annie Sprenkels (May 9, 2004). "How Magnifico won my heart". The Philippine Star. Retrieved August 3, 2026.
- ↑ Cruz, Marinel R. (April 19, 2004). "'Magnifico', Manalo, Mina top Famas". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Inquirer Group of Companies. p. A23. Retrieved August 3, 2026.
- ↑ Cruz, Marinel R. (June 21, 2004). "2 indie films top Urian Awards". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Inquirer Group of Companies. Retrieved August 3, 2026.
- ↑ Asis, Salve (July 5, 2004). "Magnifico, naka-grandslam na!". Pilipino Star Ngayon. Retrieved August 3, 2026.
- ↑ Reyes, William R. (April 20, 2011). "Gawad Urian picks the Ten Best Films of the Decade (2000-2009)". Philippine Entertainment Portal. Retrieved August 3, 2026.
- ↑ "Magnifico". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved May 20, 2026.
- ↑ "Magnifico". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Retrieved May 20, 2026.
- ↑ Zulueta, Lito B. (January 27, 2003). "'Magnifico': The first really good movie of 2003". Philippine Daily Inquirer. p. A32. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
- ↑ "Magnifico". Time Out.
- ↑ Musetto, Vincent (October 29, 2004). ""Magnifico" worth a good cry". New York Post. NYP Holdings, Inc. Archived from the original on December 5, 2004. Retrieved January 31, 2022.
- ↑ Lo, Ricky (November 19, 2003). "Columbia Pictures to release Homecoming". PhilStar Global. Retrieved July 24, 2021.
