Hukay

In the middle of the pandemic, Sitio Dolorosa has remained undeveloped and poor. A place mother nature has also forgotten to bless with rain, making every drop of water important. Everyday, Ipe patiently digs amid the intense heat caused by several months of drought in their area. His only prayer is for water to to appear in the well. Each stab to the ground comes with hope that his children’s thirst will be quenched. If before they only had their thirst and hunger to deal with, the widespread of disease has also made breathing difficult due to the pandemic. The fate of Ipe's family was further tested when his youngest child fell ill with diarrhea. Ipe and his daughter ventured down to the town hospital in the hope of giving them free medical assistance.

Directed by Marvin C. Gabas, Hukay leans on a strong ensemble — Malayang Alagad, Jash Guevarra, Jack Daniel Burgos — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about drama titles of 2021.