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Hiling

Hiling (lit. 'Wish') is a 1998 Filipino fantasy comedy-drama film written and directed by . The film stars child actors as the protagonist Anna, alongside and in supporting roles. Released on November 18, 1998, in the , it runs for 104 minutes and is primarily in the . The narrative follows , an ordinary young girl living in a close-knit community where residents harbor various unfulfilled desires. On her birthday, she encounters a mysterious elderly woman named Manang Gracia, played by , who bestows upon her the extraordinary ability to grant wishes simply by touching someone. As Anna navigates this newfound power, she fulfills the wishes of her family and neighbors—ranging from financial prosperity to personal transformations—leading to a mix of humorous, chaotic, and poignant outcomes. However, Anna discovers she cannot grant her own deepest wish, prompting reflections on the true nature of desires and contentment. Produced by , Hiling blends elements of fantasy, family drama, and lighthearted comedy to explore themes of greed, friendship, and the unintended consequences of getting what one wants. The film received positive audience reception for its whimsical storytelling and the charming performances of its young leads, earning an user rating of 7.0 out of 10 based on limited votes. In 2025, a digitally restored version was made available, renewing interest in this early work of Filipino that highlights child-centric narratives.

Synopsis

Premise

Hiling is a 1998 Filipino centered on , an ordinary young girl who, on her birthday, receives a magical gift from a mysterious old woman named Manang Gracia. This gift endows Anna with the extraordinary ability to fulfill any wish by simply touching the person making it. However, Anna cannot grant her own wishes. The story unfolds in a modest neighborhood in , , where Anna lives with her family amid the everyday hustle of urban Filipino life. The power comes with the limitation that Anna cannot use it on herself, leading to explorations of the double-edged nature of unchecked desires as wishes granted to others spiral into unexpected and often chaotic outcomes. The wish-granting act is depicted through a simple hand touch, symbolizing the transition from innocence to chaos in a close-knit community. Blending elements of , and drama, Hiling targets audiences, weaving themes of longing and the repercussions of instant gratification within a vibrant Filipino urban backdrop. portrays Anna, bringing youthful energy to the central wish-granting dynamic.

Plot summary

The film is set in the chaotic Sansinukuban along Kalye Matiyaga, a tight-knit Filipino neighborhood. lives with her mother Cely and grandmother Melyang, while her estranged father resides with his sister Pura and Anna's half-brother Junjun. On her birthday, during a celebration, shares her cake with the mysterious Manang Gracia (), who rewards her kindness by granting her the power to fulfill wishes by touching someone. Excited, Anna tests her power on her friends and neighbors. She makes Trinket's (Serena Dalrymple) family wealthy, turns a gay neighbor Arnel into a (who becomes instantly pregnant), and fulfills other desires like making Elwood a "chick magnet" and expanding a . However, the wishes lead to chaos: Pura's plants grow into deadly vines that overrun the area, Minggoy's win sparks and conflicts, and the abundance causes social disruptions in the community. Anna's initial joy turns to regret as the neighborhood descends into , highlighting the of and desire. In the climax, escalating conflicts culminate when Joy plans to murder Lolo Sotero to claim his land. Anna, with help from her friends Abigail (Shaina Magdayao) and Trinket, intervenes to prevent the crime and seeks out Manang Gracia to return the power. She learns that true happiness comes from inner contentment and strong familial and community bonds rather than fulfilled material wishes. The power is relinquished, reversing the chaos, and the neighborhood restores harmony through genuine support. The film ends with Anna appreciating simple joys with her family.

Cast and characters

Lead roles

The lead role of Anna is played by , a then-13-year-old actress whose performance as the innocent and empathetic protagonist showcased her natural charm and launched her into wider recognition as a child star in Philippine cinema. Shaina Magdayao portrays Abigail, Anna's close friend and a key figure in the narrative, in one of Magdayao's earliest breakout roles at age 9, establishing her dramatic potential as a child performer. Serena Dalrymple plays Trinket, Anna's mischievous younger friend whose playful antics add levity to the proceedings, marking Dalrymple's prominent early film appearance following her 1997 debut and underscoring her talent for spirited child roles. Gina Pareño portrays Manang Gracia, the mysterious elderly woman who bestows the wish-granting ability on Anna. Tirso Cruz III plays Oscar, Anna's father. Nida Blanca plays Lola Melyang, Anna's grandmother. Cherry Pie Picache embodies Cely, Anna's supportive and protective mother who provides emotional grounding, delivering a nuanced performance that blends warmth with concern in family-oriented scenes. As the adult anchor to the child leads, Cely's reactions highlight the film's exploration of familial bonds and responsibility.

Supporting roles

The supporting roles in Hiling encompass a wide array of neighbors, friends, and community members whose portrayals enrich the film's comedic subplots, highlighting the ripple effects of granted wishes through exaggerated responses and interpersonal dynamics. These characters, distinct from the central family, provide by embodying everyday ambitions and desires that lead to humorous chaos, such as sudden windfalls or romantic mix-ups, without delving into the leads' emotional arcs. Paolo Contis plays Elwood, a . Carlo Aquino plays Rolly, a . Rez Cortez plays Mario, a secondary figure whose role underscores community rivalries and envy, contributing to the film's lighthearted exploration of greed and its fallout. Dexter Doria portrays Margie, adding dramatic flair to lighter scenes involving awkward entanglements from wish fulfillment, leveraging her established acting range for comedic timing. Ogie Diaz's performance as Arnell delivers key humor through and transformation gags, amplifying the ensemble's role in escalating the story's whimsical disorder. Additional neighbors and cameos, including as , Trinidad as Lolo Sotero, and Shamaine Buencamino as Rica, further the chaotic wish consequences—like business booms or unexpected animal influxes—through their over-the-top reactions, drawing on 1990s Filipino sitcom tropes for broad, relatable laughs. This ensemble's collective contributions emphasize collective folly and , using the actors' versatile talents to mirror real-life neighborhood antics in a fantastical context.

Production

Development

Hiling was written and directed by , marking his contribution to the film's creative vision as both and filmmaker. The production was led by , a division of Film Productions Inc., in association with Available Light Productions, which handled the overall pre-production efforts for this family-oriented fantasy project. Casting emphasized emerging child talents, with selected for the central role of Anna, alongside as Abigail and as Trinket, to capture the youthful energy central to the story's perspective.

Filming

Principal photography for Hiling took place in 1998 in , , prior to its theatrical release on November 18 of that year. Filming captured the film's urban and neighborhood settings to reflect authentic Filipino community life. Key locations included Barangay Laging Handa in and K-6th Street in Barangay East Kamias, also in , which provided the backdrop for the story's barangay sequences and street scenes. The production, handled by , included visual effects by Network, Inc.

Release

Theatrical release

Hiling premiered in Philippine theaters on November 18, 1998, receiving a through distribution by , the film production arm of . Targeted at families during the holiday season, the film was promoted as an uplifting featuring young protagonists discovering magical powers. Promotional strategies leveraged the cast's existing fame from ABS-CBN teleseryes and youth programs, incorporating tie-in advertisements on the network's television broadcasts to build anticipation among local audiences.

Home media and restorations

Following its theatrical release, Hiling became available on formats in the late 1990s and early 2000s through , including tapes and DVDs with minimal extras such as trailers and cast interviews. In the digital era, the film has been accessible via streaming platforms, including , where it has been featured in special programming lineups for events like . A remastered version is also available on the platform as of 2025. A significant milestone in the film's home media availability occurred in 2025 with the release of a fully digitally restored version. On August 9, 2025, ABS-CBN Star Cinema uploaded the complete remastered film to their official YouTube channel, providing free access to viewers worldwide and enhancing its reach for educational and cultural purposes. This restoration, part of the ABS-CBN Film Restoration Project known as Sagip Pelikula, involved scanning the original 35mm master negative in 4K resolution and remastering it to 2K HD over 280 hours, with careful repairs to splices, scratches, and other damages to improve visuals and audio quality while preserving the authentic look of the 1998 production. The effort aimed to introduce the film to new generations, ensuring its enduring themes of wishes and family remain vibrant for contemporary audiences. Prior to the YouTube upload, the restored version had a limited theatrical re-release in select Ayala Cinemas starting May 7, 2025, further highlighting its preserved legacy.

Reception and legacy

Critical reception

Upon its 1998 release, Hiling garnered praise from Philippine media for its heartwarming story and the endearing performances of its child actors, particularly ' charming portrayal of the lead role. Aggregate audience ratings reflect this positive sentiment. On , the film holds a 7.0/10 rating based on 48 votes. users rate it 3.4/5 from 328 ratings as of November 2025, often citing its strong value as a 90s classic. In retrospective assessments following its 2025 digital restoration by ABS-CBN's Sagip Pelikula project, critics have emphasized the film's lasting relevance to Filipino pop culture of the 1990s. Common praises center on the humor and ethical themes, with minor criticisms directed at the dated visual effects.

Cultural impact

Hiling played a pivotal role in launching the careers of its young leads, Camille Prats and Shaina Magdayao, who emerged as prominent figures in Philippine entertainment during the late 1990s and early 2000s. Prats and Magdayao, both child actors at the time, gained early recognition through the film, which showcased their talents in a fantasy setting and paved the way for their subsequent roles in popular teleseryes like Marinella. This success influenced casting trends in 90s and 2000s Philippine television, where young performers from successful films were often transitioned into lead roles in family-oriented dramas, contributing to the era's emphasis on relatable child and teen narratives. As a hallmark of Star Cinema's output, Hiling exemplifies the studio's family fantasy genre, blending and to deliver centered on the perils of unchecked desires. The narrative follows protagonist Anna's wish-granting ability, which leads to chaotic consequences for her community, underscoring lessons about appreciating life's inherent value over superficial gains. Referenced in discussions of Philippine cinema, highlights how local productions used fantastical elements to impart ethical insights on and fulfillment, making it a touchstone for feel-good, value-driven . The film's themes resonate societally, critiquing through depictions of wishes for and backfiring into . By illustrating the unforeseen outcomes of pursuing material wishes—such as sudden causing strife—Hiling offers a on ethical decision-making. In its modern legacy, the 2025 digital restoration of Hiling by ABS-CBN's Sagip Pelikula project revived interest, with exclusive screenings and online releases evoking widespread on social platforms for its innocent charm and cultural touchstones. It remains a staple for annual holiday viewings in many Filipino households, reinforcing bonding through its uplifting message.

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