Phl Film Industry Month Opens Celebration of Pinoy Humor with Cast of ‘Home Along Da Riles’
“Home Along Da Riles” became a cultural touchstone in the 1990s as it depicted the struggles of Filipino families dealing with poverty at the time in humorous ways while also highlighting familial values.
Beloved ‘90s sitcom “Home Along Da Riles” (Home Along the Railroad) starring the late actor Dolphy kicked off the month-long celebration of the 2023 Philippine Film Industry Month (PFIM) with its cast members reuniting anew to honor the legacy of the country’s “King of Comedy.”
The hit comedy series revolved around the lives of the fictional Cosme family and their neighbors, who live by the railroad tracks. It originally aired on ABS-CBN from 1992 to 2003 and spawned two films, “Home Along Da Riles: The Movie” and its sequel, between that period.
The Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) selected the remastered version of the first movie to open the PFIM this year with a special screening held at the Shangri-La Plaza Red Carpet Cinema 1 in Mandaluyong City last September 1.
Some of the show’s original cast members graced the event including Nova Villa, Claudine Barretto, Smokey Manaloto, Gio Alvarez, Maybelyn dela Cruz, Dang Cruz, Vandolph and Boy2 Quizon together with executive producer Linggit Tan.
The group last saw each other back in July when they also reunited to commemorate the 11th death anniversary of Dolphy, who played Kevin, a widower and head of the Cosme family. Barretto said she appreciates that a lot of Filipinos who grew up watching the show still remember it to this day.
Villa echoed the thoughts of her former co-star. She played the role of Aling Ason, the love interest of Kevin, who also looks after his five children when he is not at home. The veteran actress described her younger cast mates as her ‘anak-anakan’ (adopted children) back in the day.
“It’s so interesting and talagang nakaka-miss silang lahat (I really miss all of them),” she said, referring to her fellow actors. “And also, probably our fans will be very happy na narito kaming muli (upang) magbigay ng saya sa kanila (that we are here to make them laugh again),” Villa added.
Vandolph, one of Dolphy’s reel and real-life sons, thanked FDCP for showcasing “Home Along Da Riles: The Movie” as its first comedy film of the month. He said this allowed them to reminisce about the kind of humor that entertained Filipino families as well as the legacy of their late father.
“Of course, ‘yung legacy ng Tatay Kevin namin ay dala-dala namin lagi ‘yon, lalo na ‘pag magkakasama kami (we always carry with us the legacy of our Tatay Kevin, especially when we are together) … Kasi (Because) ‘Home Along (Da Riles)’ was like a true family sa aming lahat (for all of us),” Vandolph said.
“Ganoon ang impact niya (Dolphy) sa amin na hanggang ngayon, ilang years na, okay pa kaming lahat (That is the kind of impact he has on us that until now, many years have passed, we're all okay). So, every milestone nandoon kami para sa isa’t isa (we are there for each other),” Barretto added.
“Home Along Da Riles” became a cultural touchstone in the ‘90s as it depicted the struggles of Filipino families dealing with poverty at the time in humorous ways while also highlighting familial values. It also starred other late comedians such as Babalu, Carding Castro, Bernardo Bernardo, among others.
The FDCP organized this year’s PFIM with the theme “Tuloy Pa Rin Ang Tawanan” (The Laughter Continues) “to pay tribute to the iconic Filipino comedians and how they took part in shaping and nurturing our popular culture.”
According to FDCP chair Tirso Cruz III, selecting a classic Dolphy movie to headline the monthlong showcase of Philippine cinema is their way of taking a break from the negative things happening around the country since the pandemic compounded by the aftermath of recent calamities.
“It would be nice if they (Filipino audience) all remember and come back to the theaters again and really enjoy our films. They say once a film makes you laugh, no matter how many times you watch it, you will keep laughing because it’s funny. Also, it lightens the emotions of people. It brings back good memories, good vibes,” the veteran actor said mainly in Filipino.
Apart from the late Dolphy, the 3rd PFIM will also honor other iconic Filipino comedians of our time including Michael V., Eugene Domingo, Ai-Ai de las Alas, Vice Ganda, Tito and Vic Sotto, and Joey de Leon. The ceremony will take place on September 29, 2023 at Acacia Hotel Manila.
For the list of events, talks and movie screenings, just visit the social media pages of FDCP on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
