Family love, movies, and ‘kalamay’

Grief and challenges notwithstanding, for Annie Cruz and family, Christmas will go on—capped with a feel-good movie for a happy ending

WHEN I first heard the story of Generika Drugstore Talent Development Supervisor Annie Marie D. Cruz, it sounded like a holiday movie full of blockbuster potential. It has all the elements that can guarantee the audience a good cry, or can make them reflect on how they express their love towards their families. 

On the surface, the plot is very straightforward. It’s about a simple girl with big dreams who continues to weather the challenges that come her way. The kicker: While still reeling from the recent loss of her father, she finds out that her mother has colorectal cancer. 

To the passive viewer, it is easy to assume that these circumstances would bring our hero to rock bottom. But what many consider life’s tragedies are just a preface to Annie’s true Christmas story—one that revolves around strength, gratitude, and optimism.

Keeping hearts and tummies full 

Contrary to what I had envisioned in my head, Annie refuses to view her life as scenes from a formulaic drama. She also considers it a cliché to say that she hopes readers would love and appreciate their parents before it is too late. Instead, her wish is simple, and that is to share her determination to carry on the legacy of her father by preserving their simple family traditions built from love and faith.

This will be her family’s first Christmas without their father. While there will always be a space reserved for him in their photos and in their hearts, Annie is excited to see her family come together over their favorite comfort foods. 

The highlight of their simple feast is their mother’s Special Kalamay with Langka and Latik. The secret is in the stirring, she says. They would usually take turns mixing the glutinous rice to make sure it doesn’t stick to the pan. Annie punctuates the process of perfecting this simple dish with an analogy: She believes that preparing the kalamay symbolizes their family’s strong bond, which is why, to this day, they continue to observe this tradition. 

If you want to try recreating this delicacy, here’s a simple recipe you can follow:

Annie is also in charge of the parlor games for the kids this year, another staple in Cruz family celebrations. Annie says that it is usually her father who takes care of this part. She can still clearly remember him shouting, “Pila na!” as he hands them their simple prizes. This year, she is planning to add a twist to their favorite games like “Bring Me” and “Trip to Jerusalem,” and assures that there will be more dancing and singing involved.  

Happy ending

Now that she is responsible for ensuring everybody has a good time, she feels pressured yet inspired. Annie adds that she was surprised at how big of a responsibility it is, because her father handled their past celebrations with ease. But she is confident that if she can pull this off, he will be very proud of her.

What I appreciate the most about Annie’s desire to preserve their traditions is that it reflects one of the most significant values we Filipinos try to uphold: our love for our families. This love allows us to have our own unique, quiet experience of a holiday observed by millions of people around the world. 

They plan to close their celebration by watching a good old Christmas movie. They have yet to decide on the title, but they are sure it will be one with a happy ending. 

Here are some of the films their family is considering. But if you ask me, this makes a pretty solid line-up for binge-watching:

Home Alone

We can’t make a list of holiday movies without Home Alone taking the top spot. A cult classic, this wacky film follows the adventure of bratty 8-year-old Kevin McCallister, who is accidentally left alone in their house as his family flies to Paris. 

The Holiday

With a stellar cast of Kate Winslet, Cameron Diaz, Jude Law, and Jack Black, we can expect this movie to bring the kilig. Two women from different countries switch homes in an attempt to escape their own romantic failures.  It is a light, entertaining story with relatable characters that will give you all the feels. 

Serendipity

Another classic rom-com, Serendipity guarantees a good time. With its cute premise and romantic pursuits, it guarantees to leave the audience wanting to believe in the power of love and the magic of destiny (no matter how cheesy that sounds).

The Polar Express

The Polar Express is the movie adaptation of the beloved children’s book by Chris Van Allsburg. Don’t be fooled by the animation. At its core, the story is a journey to self-discovery that will leave the kids and kids-at-heart in awe of the wonders of life.

Tanging Yaman

This list wouldn’t be complete without a Pinoy classic recommendation. Prepare to cry buckets of tears as this family drama about sibling rivalry pulls your heartstrings and makes you want to call your parents right now.