The Mano Po anthology, produced by Regal Entertainment, is one of the most successful film series produced in the history of Philippine cinema, second only Shake, Rattle & Roll (Filipino film series) (which has a total of 12 film adaptations with three episodes). The series has now six productions and also includes Ako Legal Wife and Bahay Kubo (A Pinoy Mano Po). All episodes are directed by Joel Lamangan, with the exception of Mano Po 2 (2003) which was helmed by Erik Matti. The six series focuses on the ways and traditions of the Chinese-Filipino community.
The first Mano Po film was starred by Maricel Soriano, Kris Aquino, Richard Gomez, Ara Mina, Eddie Garcia. Regal Entertainment produced the first Mano Po episode, known also as Mano Po 1: My Family. The film won 12 MMFF awards including Best Picture. The second episode focuses on concubinage, despite of the first marriage (played by Aquino and De Leon). Susan Roces and Kris Aquino shares the portrayal of Sol (respectively in adult and younger roles). Christopher de Leon, in his debut role in the series, plays Antonio, a patriarch. Zsa Zsa Padilla and Lorna Tolentino are Antonio’s other mistresses in the movie. Erik Matti directs this film.This film is known for Zsa Zsa Padilla’s line “Ako legal wife! (I am his legal wife)”, which was being inspired for the comedy Ako Legal Wife two years later.
The third episode marks the appearance of Vilma Santos as Lilian Chiong, an anti-crime crusader who was romantically torn between Michael (Christopher de Leon, in their latest team-up after Dekada 70) and Paul(Jay Manalo). This film bagged the 2004 Metro Manila Film Festival Best Picture Award. Santos won the best actress award in the said filmfest.Produced by Regal’s sister production MAQ productions, Mano Po III marks the return of Joel Lamangan as the series’ director. Lamangan, however, lost to Cesar Montano (for Panaghoy sa Suba) for bagging the Best Director Award in the 2004 Metro Manila Film Festival. This comedy, popularly claimed as Mano Po 4(?), focuses on concubinage. Zsa Zsa Padilla won the best actress award in the 2005 Metro Manila Film Festival.
Next is the Mano Po 5. This series is more of a romantic comedy-drama rather than the earlier ones which center around serious drama. However, Angel Locsin’s appearance as the leading role for this film is her last project with Regal Entertainment (not counting The Promise) followed by her transfer to ABS-CBN a year later. The new tale marks the first project of Sharon Cuneta under Regal Films. This is also a reunion movie for Cuneta with Joel Lamangan (last worked in Walang Kapalit in 2003) and Christopher de Leon(last worked in Magkapatid in 2002). The dramatic story focuses on billionaire Melinda Uy, who had a rags-to-riches story of hardships and triumphs as a Chinese-Filipino blooded woman.