Parenting, Pain, and Pop Culture: The Many Layers of Child No. 82

The movie is one of the entries in the 2025 Cinemalaya Film Festival

What happens when a son longs for answers about his identity and the father he’s only seen on screen? This is the emotional premise of Child No. 82: Anak ni Boy Kana, starring Pinoy Big Brother ex-housemate JM Ibarra.

As one of the official entries in the 2025 Cinemalaya Film Festival, Child No. 82 explores the complicated dynamics of illegitimacy, fatherhood, and acceptance. Laced with pop culture references and familiar nods to Philippine entertainment and politics, it tells a story that’s both intimate and nationally relevant.

Photo courtesy of Cinemalaya

A Son’s Quest to Meet His Dad

Max (played by JM Ibarra) is a 17-year-old student who’s social media–savvy and dreams of becoming an actor like his father, Maximo “Boy Kana” Samaniego Sr. (portrayed by Vhong Navarro), the country’s action superstar. Though he’s seen his father’s movies and photos, Max has never actually known him. His mother, Alicia (played by Rochelle Pangilinan), rarely speaks about him.

Their relationship turns sour when Max accidentally impregnates his girlfriend, Marie May. Lost and unsure, Max begins to question his identity. When the shadow of his father appears to him, urging him to “come home,” Max defies Alicia’s warnings and sets out to find him.

But on the bus ride to Manila, Max receives devastating news—his father has died. In a viral news report, it’s revealed that “Boy Kana cards” had been issued to prove which children were his.

Max’s Journey Toward the Truth

When Max arrives at the Samaniego mansion, he’s denied entry. Along the way, he meets Rizza (Kai Montinola), who claims to be another child of Boy Kana; Mother Betty (Irma Adlawan), the fan club president; and Coca Royales (Iyah Mina), who Max discovers transitioned from being Maximo Jr., the legitimate child of the family.

Eventually, Alicia follows Max and shares the truth she had kept from him: she met Boy Kana while working as a wardrobe assistant. When she got pregnant, he initially denied responsibility. His wife, Perla (Dexter Doria), offered to raise the child, but Alicia would never see him again. Unwilling to give up her son, she took Max to their hometown of Pinili and raised him alone.

Photo courtesy of Cinemalaya

Facing Reality

At the wake, Perla finally speaks to Max. She reveals she had always known about him—and even supported him anonymously through the Pocpoc app, where she used the alias “PearlyShells” to send him virtual points convertible to cash.

Perla also tells Max the truth about Boy Kana: he was a womanizer who impregnated many women and never truly took responsibility. The famed “Boy Kana cards” were her attempt to give those children some recognition.

She invites Max to follow in his father’s footsteps, but when she leaves momentarily, Max reflects. In a fantasy scene resembling one of Boy Kana’s movies, he declines the invitation to join his father’s “kingdom”—a metaphor for fame and irresponsibility. Instead, Max promises not to become the kind of man his father was. He vows to be present for his future child.

He returns to Pinili with Alicia and apologizes to Marie May, committing to becoming a responsible father.

Photo courtesy of Cinemalaya

Why Child No. 82 Resonates with Today’s Teens

Max represents the many Filipino teens raised without fathers—children who often grow up with questions, emotional gaps, and a desire for guidance. His journey reflects a longing not just for identity, but for accountability from the people who brought them into the world.

Alicia, meanwhile, is the face of many solo parents who step into both parental roles—sacrificing their own dreams to give their children a better life. Her character is a tribute to the countless Filipino mothers doing the work of two.

Boy Kana symbolizes a particular type of parent: charismatic but absent, admired by many but known by few. Some parents walk away from their responsibilities, leaving deep scars that affect not just the child but generations to come.

For the Parents Out There

Child No. 82: Anak ni Boy Kana doesn’t just tell a story—it holds up a mirror to countless Filipino families still dealing with the consequences of abandonment, broken promises, and emotional wounds.

But it also offers a message of hope: that children, even when born into difficult circumstances, can choose a different path. That parenting is not just about being present at the start—but staying, guiding, and growing alongside your child.

For every Max, an Alicia is doing the work of two—and, hopefully, a chance to break the cycle.

More stories on movies about families

Every Sibling Can Relate to Family Matters
How to Get Away From My Toxic Family Trailer: The Invisible Pressure on Filipino Breadwinners, Captured Onscreen
How To Get Away From My Toxic Family Hits Too Close for Filipino Breadwinners