MANILA, Philippines — Why is the family drama “Mujigae,” which marks Unitel x Straightshooters’ filmmaking comeback, drawing early comparisons to the megahit Thai comedy-drama “How To Make Millions Before Grandma Dies”?
UXS president and CEO Madonna Tarrayo doesn’t know where the comparison is coming from and is quick to clarify that their film, which tells the story of a KoPino (Korean-Filipino) kid, stands on its own. Directed by Randolph Longjas, “Mujigae,” which means “Rainbow” in Korean, starts screening exclusively at SM Cinemas today.
“You know, if you watch it, hindi naman siya talaga pareho. I don’t know where the comparison is coming from, but it’s not the same; it’s not the same story at all. But I guess it’s because it’s a family drama also. Matagal na naming sinasabi na it would be nice to do a family drama,” she told The Philippine STAR.
“To compare it to ‘How To Make Millions Before Grandma Dies,’ because I’ve seen it, baka kasi tearjerker but it’s not melodramatic… Siguro yung ganoong klase but the story is very different because it’s about a Korean-Filipino kid, a KoPino, so baka dahil lang doon kasi pareho silang family drama.”
Tarrayo admitted though that there’s one thing that they took inspiration from Thailand’s official entry to the 2025 Oscars, and that is the film distribution style.
As mentioned, “Mujigae” is available in SM Cinemas only.
Director Randolph Longjas with Ryrie.
Tarrayo said, “Yun naman, to be honest, we took inspiration from ‘How To Make Millions.’ Kasi ako yun, napanood ko and then I said, okay din naman yung very targeted yung cinemas. And I saw who are going to their cinemas and I found, of course, families, barkadas and the young — millennials and Gen Z — and I took inspiration on that basis.”
“So I said, let’s try it. That’s the only reason. But for example, if we were to (distribute) ‘Himala,’ that’s going to be nationwide, all cinemas, because the movie is bigger and the endeavor is bigger,” the producer said, referring to their upcoming 2024 Metro Manila Film Festival entry, the movie musical “Himala.”
Formerly known as Unitel Pictures, Unitel x Straightshooters (UxS) is the same film outfit that previously produced “Crying Ladies,” “Santa Santita,” “Ang Babae sa Septic Tank,” among other established cinema gems.
How they decided to return to the film scene after focusing on commercials and TV series, such as “Last One Laughing: LOL Philippines” and “Comedy Island Philippines” on Prime Video, Tarrayo said, “There was a point when so many independent studios were making films, so sabi namin, I think we will find our place again ‘cause that’s how we started.
“We’re not really affiliated with the big studios and, kumbaga, the films that we do are the films that we like to do. So we really had to wait for the right time. We’ve been pitching, you know, a lot of ideas — pitching, pitching, pitching. Lagi naman kaming hindi natutuloy, so I said, maybe it’s not time yet.”
But the patience eventually paid off, with Tarrayo saying that expanding their business was also a key motivation for making movies again. “Because the advertising is already there, and it’s in our DNA to make movies, ‘di ba, and to make even series. So why not? Because we want to be a multimedia content company. So, we needed to do all these things.”
And it was direk Randolph’s “Mujigae” story that paved the way for UxS’ reemergence in the scene.
From left: Cai Cortez, Richard Quan, Ryrie Sophia, Kim Jisoo and Alexa Ilacad on the set of ‘Mujigae.’
According to the synopsis, five-year-old Mujigae (played by Ryrie Sophia) ends up in the care of her estranged Aunt Sunny (played by Alexa Ilacad) in the Philippines after losing her Filipino mother (Anna Luna) in South Korea. K-drama actor Kim Ji-soo stars in his first Philippine movie as Mujigae’s estranged father. Also part of the cast are Anna Luna, Rufa Mae Quinto, Richard Juan, Donna Cariaga, Kate Alejandrino, Cai Cortez, Peewee O’Hara, Lui Manansala, Rolando Inocencio and Scarlet Alaba.
“Mujigae” is also Randolph’s return as well to making films after directing the producer’s comedy-oriented reality series on Prime. His previous movies are “Ang Turkey Man ay Pabo Rin” (2013), “Star Na Si Van Damme Stallone” (2016) and “Buy Now, Die Later” (2015).
“Actually, maswerte ang ‘Mujigae’ sa amin kasi nagkaroon kami ng opening to pitch it, and natanggap,” Tarrayo explained.
The project finally came together with partners such as CMB Films, Happy Infinite and BONA Kid. “We found the right partners, and I think that kicked off everything. Because after that, you know, ‘Himala’ happened,” she added.
Tarrayo stressed that filmmaking is always a risk, but the evolving landscape has offered producers new ways for their films to find their audience.
“We’re not sure if this will make money, but one thing is for sure: we want to continue doing films. And I think isa sa mga bagay na na-appreciate namin sa panahon ngayon is that it’s not just the theater. It doesn’t stop at the theater. There are also other opportunities for your film to be screened,” she said.
One of the scenes in the family drama by Unitel x Straightshooters.
“There are many windows now. So after cinema, you have the option to do international distribution, submit to festivals, and then there are streaming platforms. There’s broadcast, there are airlines. So more than any time, this is really the opportunity where there are so many windows for your film,” Tarrayo said.
“Before kasi, talagang ang go-to natin theatrical. So now, because of all the opportunities and all the windows that we opened, sabi namin, sige, sumugal tayo, tuloy-tuloy natin ‘to because this is really our dream.”
Meanwhile, Tarrayo acknowledged that their past films have placed high expectations on their comeback. “That’s why we strive to really deliver because yun na nga yung lagi naming sinasabi, bakit ganun parang may expectation kung maglalabas tayo ng pelikula. Which is good in a way, but of course, the pressure is on us, right, the burden is on us to really deliver good things.”
Despite such expectations, Tarrayo said they are committed to creating stories that resonate with the audiences nowadays.
“Alam mo, malaki din sigurong tulong nakakapili kami sa mga pelikulang gagawin namin, so hawak namin yung kwento na gusto naming sugalan. I think (family drama) is one of the themes, one of the genres, that people are really looking for because there’s so much sadness in the world, there are so many conflicts you go through, you go through traffic every day, you have conflicts within the family, so many things,” she said.
“We just want a message of hope and inspiration, and for people to remember, always, that a family will remain a family regardless if you’re connected by blood or not. You will always find that family and that family will pull you through.”
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