LIST: Iconic Filipino movie lines that have made their mark through the years

There’s nothing quite like a zinger of a line to make sure a movie makes an entry in the lexicon of Filipino pop culture. For sure, Filipino creatives – through movies that have become staples in best-of lists – have found ways, time and time again, to come up with yet more iconic dialogue

Who could forget an impassioned Elsa’s “Walang Himala” or Lavinia Arguelles’ “You are nothing but a second rate trying hard copycat!”  

Here are some movie lines that have made their mark on Filipino pop culture:

Starting Over Again (2014)

Directed by Olivia Lamasan, the movie stars Piolo Pascual and Toni Gonzaga as former lovers Ginny and Marco. After Ginny meets Marco again (after she migrated and left him hanging), memories of their relationship come back to her. She tries to win Marco back, even if he is already in a relationship with someone new.

“I deserve an explanation! I need an acceptable reason!”

Four Sisters and a Wedding (2013)

Bea Alonzo, Angel Locsin, Toni Gonzaga, and Shaina Magdayao star as sisters who reunite because their brother CJ (Enchong Dee) is about to get married. The reunion also re-ignites envy among the sisters, especially between Teddie (Toni) and Bobbie (Bea). It’s Bobbie’s long monologue – where she finally says out loud that she knows she isn’t the favorite – that’s become a go-to for Filipinos, whether it’s within the same context or not.

“Pero bakit parang galit ka? Pero bakit kasalanan ko? Eh… sa totoo lang eh ako yung ingot na inggit sa inyong lahat. Kasi meron kayong mga bagay na sana meron din ako. Sana meron ako nung maternal instincts mo. I wish I had your charm and innocence. Sana naging adventurous din ako kagaya ni Alex. Sana nagkaroon din ako ng sense fo humor mo kasi bentang-benta iyon sa akin eh. Bentang-benta din kay mama. Kaya siguro lahat ng attention niya na sa’yo.“

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One More Chance (2007)

One More Chance, directed by Cathy Garcia-Molina is one of Star Cinema’s biggest films. It catapulted the tandem of Bea Alonzo and John Lloyd Cruz to the silver screen, and is arguably an easy favorite among more recent Filipino movies. The movie’s success also paved the way for a sequel, A Second Chance in 2015.

In this particular scene, Basha (Bea Alonzo) tells Popoy (John Lloyd Cruz) that she wants to be happy for him and his new girlfriend but that she still cares for him. Newly-recovered from the trauma of their breakup, Popoy reminds Basha that unlike her, Trisha (Maja Salvador) stood by him at his worst.

“She loved me at my worst. You had me at my best. At binalewala mo lahat yun.”

“Popoy, iyon ba ang talaga tingin mo? I just made a choice.”

“And you chose to break my heart.“

Bata, Bata, Paano Ka Ginawa? (1998)

The film adaptation of Lualhati Bautista’s Bata, Bata Paano Ka Ginawa? features one of the most memorable scenes between Star for All Seasons Vilma Santos and Carlo Aquino, who played her son. The movie was directed by Chito Roño.

“Ikaw din naman ginagawa mo ang gusto mo. Eh ba’t kami hindi pwede?“

“Wala akong ginagawang masama!”

“Akala mo lang wala pero meron, meron, meron!”

Minsa’y Isang Gamu-gamo (1976)

Minsa’y Isang Gamu-Gamo is directed by Lupita Aquino-Kahashiwara and stars Nora Aunor as Cora de la Cruz, a Filipino nurse who dreams of going to the US. Things change when her brother gets killed by an American soldier.

“My brother is not a pig! Ang kapatid ko ay tao, hindi baboy damo!”

Heneral Luna (2015)

The first of TBA’s Filipino hero movies, General Luna, directed by Jerrold Tarog stars John Arcilla in the title role. During a Cabinet meeting, Luna argues with Esteban Costales after the latter asks how their business would survive if another war happens.

“Paano ang aming mga negosyo? Kapar nakipaglaban kami, babagsak ang ekonomiya. Paano namin mapapakain ang mga pamilya namin?”

“Negosyo o kalayaan? Bayan o sarili? Pumili ka!”

No Other Woman (2011)

No Other Woman stars Cristine Reyes, Derek Ramsay, and Anne Curtis under the direction of Ruel S Bayani. 

In the film, Charmaine (Cristine) discovers that her husband Ram is having an affair with Kara (Anne). Charmaine’s mom (Carmi Martin) reminds her to fight for her husband.

“Hindi ko kaya makipag-agawan. Saka bakit kailangan ko ipaglaban kung alam ko naman na akin?“

“Dahil nga ang mundo ay isang malaking Quiapo. Maraming snatcher. Maagawan ka, lumaban ka! Kasi tignan mo naman yan itsura mo ha. Panahon na para i-pack up yang Lucy Torres mo, ilabas mo na diyan si Gretchen Barretto!“

Madrasta (1996)

Madrasta stars Sharon Cuneta as Mariel, the second wife of Edward (Christopher de Leon). As she adjusts to life as a stepmom, Mariel also finds herself adjusting to Edward’s treatment towards her and the kids.

“Alam mo ba kung paano ko sila inalagaan? Alam mo ba kung gaano kalaki ang sinakripisyo ko para tumayong ina at ama nila? Hindi! Dahil wala ka doon. Wala kang alam sa mga nangyari! Wala kang karapatan sabihin sa akin kung ano ang hindi at data kong Gavin. Asawa lang kita.“

“You’re absolutely right. Yan lang ang tingin mo sa akin. Tiga handa ng isusuot mo, kakainin mo, taga-ayos ng bahay mo. Taga salo sa mga problema mo. I was never your partner. I’m just your wife. Kaya hindi mo ako nirerespeto.“

My Ex and Whys (2017)

In 2017, Star Cinema released My Ex and Whys, starring Liza Soberano and Enrique Gil. One of the most memorable scenes was the confrontation between Gio (Enrique) and Kali (Liza), after Kali asked if she was not enough.

Of course, the scene had an unintended comedic angle – because by most standards, Liza Soberano is anything but pangit.

“Kayong mga lalaki, akala ‘nyo pag nagbabae kayo nasasaktan ‘nyo lang kami. Makikipagchuchakan kayo tapos iniexpect ‘nyo iiyak lang kami. Itutulog lang ang sakit tapos pagising okay na?“

“Yun nag pangarap namin. Sana nga ganun kadali iyon. Kaso hindi. Walang tigil ang takbo ng utak namin, pinipilit sagutin ang maraming tanong. Bakit kaya niya nagawa iyon? Am I not enough? May kulang ba sa akin? May mali ba sa akin? Pangit ba ako? Pangit ba ang katalan ko? Kapalit-palit ba ako?“

The Hows of Us (2018)

Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla star as George and Primo in the film directed by Cathy Garcia-Molina. While the movie had a number of memorable scenes, one scene people always talk about is the intense dialogue between Primo and George, all while drenched in the rain.

“George, I’m sorry.“

“And what makes that sorry different from all of your other sorries before? Halos pitong taon ng buhay ko, binigay ko sa’yo Primo. At sa pitong taon na iyon, isang beses lang ako nagsabing pagod na ako.”

– Alexa Villano/Rappler.com