‘Home Along Da Riles’ cast reunites, revives Cosme family magic

The ‘Home Along Da Riles’ reunion brings the Cosme family back to theatre screens

At the recent media conference for Home Along Da Riles (Da Reunion) held at the Makabagong San Juan National Government Center, nostalgia took center stage as the original cast revisited the sitcom that ran for 11 years and left a lasting mark on Philippine television.

Present at the event were Claudine Barretto, Nova Villa, Vandolph Quizon, Smokey Manaloto, Maybeline dela Cruz, Sherilyn Reyes-Tan, Dang Cruz, Cita Astals, and Boy 2 Quizon, who also directs the film.

Boy 2 said he believes the project would make his grandfather, the late comedy icon Dolphy, proud.

“I’m sure that my grandfather (Dolphy) will be proud of the outcome of this project, especially since most of the main cast members are intact. I’m happy to continue his legacy,” he said.

For Vandolph Quizon, the film revisits what happens to the Cosme family after Kevin’s departure.

“Here, people will see what happened to the Cosme family after Kevin left. Even if he’s not in the movie, my dad’s presence can be felt in all the scenes,” he said.

Smokey Manaloto noted how the story was adjusted for today’s viewers while keeping its heart intact.

“We adjusted the roles to fit with today’s generation. Humor is present, but the core is about the family. Each character is relatable,” he said.

Boy 2 added that the film carries lessons that still resonate across generations.

“It’s a must-watch for a contemporary audience. It has valuable lessons to impart. Comedy is universal. It appeals to everybody,” he said.

Nova Villa also shared her thoughts on the continuation of the Cosme family story.

“It’s also interesting to know what life is for Cosme’s kids after he left. I’m pretty sure viewers would want to know,” she said.

Boy 2 admitted the reunion required an adjustment period at the start of production.

“Yes, during the initial shooting days, we were still adjusting. It’s been years since we all worked together. But after that, everything went fine,” he said.

Claudine Barretto said the cast quickly found their rhythm again.

“We missed one another. But basically, we’re like one big, happy family. Even if we haven’t seen each other for ages, the closeness always remains,” she said.

On the film’s central message, Nova pointed to family support.

“No matter how many problems come your way, when you have your family to back you up, it’s more than enough,” she said.

At the end of the conference, Claudine also praised Boy 2 for bringing the project together.

“For everything that he has done just to make this project a reality, kudos. He and Vandolph, actually. I would just like to say good job to him,” she said.

* * *

Actor-director Coco Martin and actress Julia Montes spoke about what keeps their relationship grounded amid years together.

For Julia, faith remains at the center.

“I believe that it’s good that you have a center, which is God. I feel so blessed that I was able to find a partner like that in Coco. Especially since we Filipinos are family-oriented. Despite the ups and downs in our relationship, there is God in the center. That’s my greatest blessing,” she said.

She added that Coco’s outlook has also shaped their bond.

“You know, Coco is blessed because he knows how to share. He’s got so much faith. And that helped in our relationship. We all know that nobody’s perfect, and so are relationships. You will face challenges along the way. What’s important is you have a strong center,” she said.

Coco, meanwhile, described how their partnership extends into business.

“We’re past that stage when you get tickled pink just seeing each other. Now, whenever we go to a place, we think about what good business we can build out of it,” he said.

He cited their company CCM Films as an example of their shared work. — Joseph Peter R. Gonzales