A character from a 1987 comedy-fantasy film returns, this time with his son and a cast of new and not-so-new characters, to continue his magical adventures.
Herbert Bautista, who played Ivanhoe “Puto” Dela Cruz in the original film, reprises his role as the kind-hearted student who sells puto or steamed rice cakes. Ivanhoe is now a loving father to his only son, Uno, who is played by promising young actor McCoy De Leon, 30 years after the 1987 smash film.
Unlike the original film, which depicted a young Puto who was shy and uncertain of himself as a result of his more popular peers’ incessant bullying, today’s Ivan is a more composed and wiser version, ready to protect Uno against the all-too-familiar abuse that also exists at his school. As a father urgently attempting to save his son from the same destiny he faced as an outcast child in high school, Herbert gives his role a mature air.
Puto and Uno go on new adventures in the TV5 relaunch as their lives get entwined with the colorful people of the duwende world. Lassy Marquez, MC Calaquian, and Chad Kinis of Beks Battalion play The Mamitas, three elves who were saved by Puto in the film and now take on human form to assist care for Uno. The Mamitas are Uno’s mother figures as he grows older.
Rafa Siguion-Reyna as Uno’s professor; Andrea Babierra and Bob Jbeili as Uno’s bestfriends Alex and Elong; Carlyn Ocampo as Uno’s love interest Joy; Andrew Muhlach as Nico, the school bully and Uno’s rival for Joy’s affections; Caleb Santos and TJ Valderrama as Troy and Edwen, the good duwendes; Billy Villeta as Itaban, the bad duwende; and Giovanni Respal as Markadan, the leader of the bad duwendes.
Puto’s closest buddy Juanito (Janno Gibbs) and old schoolmates Mindy (Gelli de Belen), who is now a chef at Uno’s school’s canteen, and Tere (Bing Loyzaga), who is now a life insurance agent and self-proclaimed plantita, will trigger nostalgia and flashback moments in PUTO.
The series seeks to represent the complexities of Filipino families, with a dash of fantasy thrown in for good measure, making it a fun weekend watch for the whole family. Discover magic and fun with Puto and his family on Saturdays at 6 p.m. on TV5, starting June 19, with catch-up on Sundays at 5 p.m. on Sari Sari Channel, accessible on Cignal ch. 3 and SatLite ch. 30. TV5’s livestream is also available via the Cignal Play app, which is free for iOS and Android users.
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