After bringing Filipino films to mainstream European cinemas via “A Second Chance” and opening 2016 with the grand screening of “Everything About Her,” TFC@theMovies creates history anew as it screens CCM Creatives’ critically acclaimed “Padre de Familia” first in the Middle East and Europe.

TFC@theMovies will bring the widely talked about “Padre de Familia,” directed by Adolf Alix Jr., to mainstream cinemas starting February 18 in the Middle East (in partnership with Gulf Film) and starting February 20 in Europe.

According to ABS-CBN Europe, Middle East and Africa Managing Director Kai Rodriguez, the milestone screening of “Padre de Familia” is part of ABS-CBN’s continuing mission to reach out to global Filipinos. Since 1997, ABS-CBN has been retelling the stories of overseas Filipinos (OFs) on film through its movie production and distribution unit Star Cinema. These films include “Sana Maulit Muli (partly shot in the United States of America)” “Goodbye America (U.S.A.),” “Anak (Hong Kong),” “American Adobo (U.S.A.),” “Caregiver (United Kingdom),” “For the First Time (Greece),” “Milan (Italy),” “Dubai (United Arab Emirates),” “Love Me Again (Australia)” and “In My Life (U.S.).”

ABS-CBN’s international arm TFC then started producing its own films on OFs with “A Mother’s Story” in 2012 and just last year, 2015, with “EDSA Woolworth” through its brand TFC@theMovies.

Rodriguez said: “TFC does not only provide the platform for relevant news and world-class entertainment for Filipinos in different parts of the world. It also provides the avenues - specifically films - that will retell their stories, let the audience learn from their struggles and inspire all of us with their successes outside the homeland.”
In the tradition of these films, “Padre de Familia” is also about an OF, specifically of Noel (Coco Martin), who took over the reins when his father Ben (Joel Torre) left the family and his responsibility as head of the family. While he was in Malaysia, Noel thinks that his mother Aida (Nora Aunor), as the one expected to provide guidance to the family, is performing her role until the harsh reality that she too has her own needs, sets in.
“Padre de Familia” is also the first team-up of the Superstar and the Box Office King plus Primetime King. Both have been, time and again, compared for their humble beginnings, expressive eyes and superb acting. Some industry observers have even called Martin “the male Nora Aunor.”

With their impressive body of work, Aunor and Martin are expected to deliver memorable performances as a mother and son who will bring the OF audience to a journey of life, love and forgiveness. In the end, the question remains – who is truly worthy of being called “Padre de Pamilya?”
Catch the international screening of “Padre de Pamilya,” co-produced by Martin, on February 18 in United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman and on February 20 in United Kingdom and February 21 in Italy and France.

For more information, visit emea.kapamilya.com (Photos by Jojit Lorenzo)

Teleserye King Coco Martin and Teleserye Princess Kim Chiu are both excited about their highly anticipated return to worldwide television through ABS-CBN’s upcoming drama series “Ikaw Lamang,” premiering March 10 on The Filipino Channel (TFC) (March 11 in Australia, Guam and New Zealand).


“It’s been a while since Kim and I worked together in ‘Tayong Dalawa’ and ‘Kung Tayo’y Magkakalayo.’ That’s why I’m happy and blessed to be given the chance to reunite with her in a new teleserye,” said Martin about his newest leading lady in the Kapamilya network’s once-in-a-lifetime TV event.




Chiu, meanwhile, admitted that she is having mixed emotions about her new project and her new team-up with Martin. Chiu’s last primetime TV show was the hit family series “Ina Kapatid, Anak,” while Martin starred in the superhero-serye “Juan dela Cruz.”

“Aside from the excitement, I feel nervous and pressured especially because the cast of ‘Ikaw Lamang’ is really full of brilliant actors and actresses. I can say that this is the most challenging role and project that I’ve ever had,” she shared.

“Ikaw Lamang” will unravel the love story of childhood friends Samuel (Martin) and Isabelle (Chiu), whose fate will be tested by time and their clashing families.



Joining Martin and Chiu in their newest TV drama are two of the most talented actors of their generation, Jake Cuenca and Julia Montes.

Completing the award-winning, powerhouse cast of “Ikaw Lamang” are Ronaldo Valdez, Tirso Cruz III, Cherry Pie Picache, Cherie Gil, John Estrada, Daria Ramirez, Meryl Soriano, Spanky Manikan, and Lester Llansang; with the special participation of Kapamilya child stars Zaijian Jaranilla, Louise Abuel, Alyanna Angeles, and Xyriel Manabat.

Under the direction of Malu Sevilla and Avel Sunpongco, “Ikaw Lamang” is the newest TV masterpiece of Dreamscape Entertainment Television, the group that created “Juan dela Cruz,” “Ina Kapatid Anak,” the phenomenal drama series top-billed by Martin and Montes, “Walang Hanggan,” and the first project of Martin, Cuenca, and Chiu, “Tayong Dalawa.”



Don’t miss the beginning of the love story of Samuel and Isabelle in “Ikaw Lamang” on March 10 (March 11 in Australia, Guam, and New Zealand) on TFC worldwide. Fall in love with their timeless story over and over again on TFC’s official online service, TFC.tv starting March 10. Connect with fellow global Kapamilyas. Visit www.facebook.com/KapamilyaTFC