Push Admin

LIST: New OFW movies that tug at the heartstrings

Article (news)

Aleta Nieva-Nishimori, ABS-CBN News

<p>The Filipino diaspora continues to make an impact in Philippine cinema. </p><p>In the past 3 years, new movies about the lives of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) have been produced, with one setting a new box-office record for a local indie movie and others getting awards abroad. </p><p>They follow the footsteps of hit films about OFWs such as<br/><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S3lmt0MfErI">Caregiver</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcnG23HcHwc">A Mother’s Story</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qF1pOscxB1k">Anak</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6oSjQioPmk">In My Life</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LN42M5RJYGo">Milan</a>.</p><p>Here are 6 new films about the lives of OFWs that tug at the heartstrings: </p><div class="media-content"><div class="slider-for"><div><iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/enOnJ_pXF_4?rel=0" width="560"></iframe></div><div><iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/QbHpyjrGdpc?rel=0" width="560"></iframe></div><div><iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/RXGhC6VTP4k?rel=0" width="560"></iframe></div><div><iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_3V-IbHxHTY?rel=0" width="560"></iframe></div><div><iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5FTEZ_slbDM?rel=0" width="560"></iframe></div><div><iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/V9sjGweKNF4?rel=0" width="560"></iframe></div></div><div class="media-content slider-desc"><div class="item-desc"><h1 class="heading">1. THE MAID IN LONDON, 2018</h1><p>Starring Andi Eigenmann, the movie features the risks that Filipinos take by working without a permit in London just to be able to help their families back home.</p><p>Playing alongside <a href="http://news.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/06/23/18/andi-eigenmann-balik-showbiz-sa-pelikulang-the-maid-in-london">Eigenmann</a> in the movie are actors Matt Evans and Polo Ravales. </p></div><div class="item-desc"><h1 class="heading">2. KITA KITA, 2017</h1><p>Hit movie &quot;Kita Kita&quot; is a romantic comedy starring Alessandra de Rossi and Empoy Marquez.</p><p>Shot in Sapporo, Japan, it focuses on a Filipina tourist guide who lost her vision after her engagement with her Japanese boyfriend fell apart. </p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="http://news.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/07/20/17/movie-review-kita-kita-is-not-your-typical-rom-com">Movie review: &#x27;Kita Kita&#x27; is not your typical rom-com</a></li></ul><p>Kita Kita set a new record of being the highest grossing indie movie after earning P300 million at the box office.</p></div><div class="item-desc"><h1 class="heading">3. BAGAHE, 2017</h1><p>&quot;Bagahe&quot; tells the story of an OFW who, after fleeing her boss, is suspected of dumping a newborn baby in a trash bin of an airplane toilet so that she can come home.</p><p>For this movie, <a href="http://news.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/02/07/18/pinoy-films-win-top-prizes-in-international-film-festivals">director</a> Zig Dulay took home the top prize in the 2018 Vesoul International Film Festival of Asian Cinema in France.</p></div><div class="item-desc"><h1 class="heading">4. NERVOUS TRANSLATION, 2017</h1><p>Shireen Seno&#x27;s movie bagged the best Asian Film award at the 47th Rotterdam International Film Festival in Netherlands.</p><p>The movie tells the story of a young girl who finds a pen that can translate the thoughts and feelings of shy people like herself.</p></div><div class="item-desc"><h1 class="heading">5. REMITTANCE, 2016</h1><p>Remittance by film directors Patrick Daly and Joel Fendelman follows the life of an OFW in Singapore as she copes with her work and separation from her family.</p><p>The <a href="http://news.abs-cbn.com/global-filipino/06/16/16/pinay-domestic-helper-wins-acting-citation-in-us-film-festival-for-remittance">movie</a> won Certificates of Outstanding Achievement for Female Actor (Angela Barotia) and screenplay at the Brooklyn Film Festival.</p></div><div class="item-desc"><h1 class="heading">6. SUNDAY BEAUTY QUEEN, 2016</h1><p>“Sunday Beauty Queen” is about the lives of Filipino domestic workers in Hong Kong who find fulfillment in participating in beauty pageants.</p><p>Baby Ruth Villarama&#x27;s movie won best picture award at the 2016 Metro Manila Film Festival (<a href="http://news.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/12/29/16/mmff-crowns-sunday-beauty-queen-best-picture">MMFF</a>)--the first documentary to ever receive the recognition in the history of the filmfest, which was founded back in 1975.  </p></div></div></div>

LIST: New OFW movies that tug at the heartstrings

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

Lifestyle

LIST: New OFW movies that tug at the heartstrings

Aleta Nieva-Nishimori,

ABS-CBN News

Published July 11, 2018 01:01 AM PHT

Read More:

OFW

movies

family separation

film

cinema

overseas Filipinos

Maid in London

Kita Kita

Bagahe

Nervous Translation

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

Sign Up

I have read and agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy.

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.