A Mother's Story... A Painful Struggle

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Maundy Thursday

9PM

MYE's Viewing Time

on the SCREEN... a heartwarming movie

A Mother's Story

STARRING

Pokwang as Remedios "Medy" Santos

Xyriel Manabat as Queenie Santos

Rayver Cruz as King Santos

Nonie Buencamino as Gerry Santos

Beth Tamayo as Helen

Ana Capri as Celia

Jaime Fabregas as Edgar

Aaron Junatas as Young King

K Brosas as Neneng

Daria Ramirez as Choleng

Caitlin Cummings as Cherry

SYNOPSIS

Medy portrayed by Pokwang, is a makeup artist of a popular concert star, who later on chose her as a personal make-up artist in a concert tour in the United States for a week. She's a mother of two- a son, (Aaron Junatas, and later, Rayver Cruz), and an infant daughter with a jobless husband, (Noni Buencamino).

While in America, she met her former classmate Helen 

(Beth Tamayo) who convinced her to stay in the country and be an illegal migrant worker. She decides to take Helen's offer, hoping that it will offer her the opportunity to earn more and a chance to take her family out of poverty and eventually bring the prosperity that her family needs.

Medy works as a front desk operator at a children's drama studio. She quickly becomes a natural at her job, becoming a favorite among students, particularly with a young girl named Cherry. When Medy learns that her earnings are not enough to cover the medicine for her sick daughter Queenie (Xyriel Manabat), she follows Helen's suggestion again to work as a stay-in housekeeper

 for a couple who works as lawyers.

While working, Medy endures verbal and physical abuse. She also is barred contact with her family in the Philippines, the couple confiscates her passport, so she cannot leave. Her hardships end with the help of Cherry, the student in the dance studio who turned out to be the couple's daughter. 

After seven years, Medy decides to leave the abusive couple. Fortunately, Cherry takes pity on her, and illicitly gives her passport back. Medy then seeks legal advice from a lawyer named Atty. Michael J. Gurfinkel, who advises her that she has a strong right to file a case against the family for illegal detention, physical injuries, and hiring someone like her as an undocumented citizen. Medy also confronts Helen, when she learns that not all her earnings made it to her family.

Medy comes home to an impartial family reunion. She finds out that her husband is seeing another woman, leaving her children in her mother's care, Choleng. While her daughter is grateful to finally meet her, her son feels betrayed by a mother who left her to fend for themselves. Medy files for an annulment.

When Medy tells her family about the hardships she endured in the United States, her family finally understands her. Medy also receives a phone call from Atty. Gurfinkel stating that she won the case against the abusive couple. She gains back wages and additional money from emotional distress. This piece of good news lifts Medy's spirit, and she starts to rebuild her life with her mother and her children. After a joyous Christmas celebration, King decides to go abroad just like his mother, hoping for a better future for his own family.

This story tackles the different facets of a mother.

Choleng, a persistent influence to her daughter Medy who encouraged her to try working abroad to provide for her children's needs. Medy listened and obeyed her mother's wish so, she was obliged to seek employment illegally.

Helen, an opportunist who married an American for convenience and left a daughter in her mother's care. She was forced to snitch from Medy's salary to send money to the Philippines.

Medy, unselfish... strong-willed woman who endured emotional and physical agony just to secure her family's future. She willingly submitted herself with unbearable loneliness... but in the end, has risen to start life anew.

I am a mother but I can hardly see myself in that torturous situation. I believe that any mother would take the same journey as Medy has traveled... No mother will ever think twice to carry that heavy load in her shoulder if it will mean better life for her loved ones.

GOD will never forsake His child trembling in pain.  HE will ease up the burden and heighten the spirit. Everything will fall into place.