Private Project

Happy (M)others Day!

Raised in a loving and unconventional household by two fathers, Papa Jim and Dada Dy, Sabrina faces a dilemma: which of her dads should she invite to the upcoming Mother's Day event at school? As she grapples with this tough decision, Sabrina turns to her kind and understanding teacher for guidance. The teacher offers comfort and encouragement, helping Sabrina navigate this emotionally charged situation. Meanwhile, both Papa Jim and Dada Dy continue to provide Sabrina with their unwavering love and support, reassuring her that there is no wrong choice when it comes to celebrating family and the people who care for us.

  • Ronnie Ramos
    Director
    Happy (M)others Day!, Perslab, Gumamelas Are Still Red
  • Ronnie Ramos
    Writer
    Happy (M)others Day!, Perslab, Gumamelas Are Still Red
  • Yuan Amandy
    Producer
  • Ronnie Ramos
    Producer
    Happy (M)others Day!, Perslab, Gumamelas Are Still Red
  • Amber Jeshley Gomez
    Key Cast
    "Sabrina"
    Blooming!
  • Precious Paula Nicole
    Key Cast
    "Dada Dy"
  • Phillippe Salvador Palmos
    Key Cast
    "Papa Jim"
  • Akie Yano
    Director of Photography
  • David Esguerra
    Production Design
  • Project Type:
    Short, Student
  • Runtime:
    20 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    May 5, 2024
  • Production Budget:
    2,500 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    Philippines
  • Country of Filming:
    Philippines
  • Language:
    Tagalog
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital 4k
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    Yes - UP FILM INSTITUTE
  • The Manila Film Festival
    Manila
    Philippines
    June 4, 2024
    World Premiere
    Best Actress; People's Choice
Director Biography - Ronnie Ramos

Ronnie Ramos (b. May 25, 2002) is a Filipino filmmaker from Pangasinan and a BA Film graduate of the University of the Philippines Diliman. He began his career directing award-winning documentaries for the National Council for Children’s Television, including Bakwit (2018) and Si Pio at ang Pugitang May Labingsiyam na Galamay (2020), before transitioning to narrative filmmaking.

His debut short Ang Alamat Kung Bakit Kalabaw Lang ang Tumatanda (2024) was supported by the Film Development Council of the Philippines and developed through the DLSU Young Screenwriters’ Workshop and Sundance Collab. His recent projects include Happy (M)others Day! (The Manila Film Festival 2024), Blooming! (Sine Kabataan Film Lab and Festival 2025), Ken Lee (Tulibu Dibu Douchooo) (iNDIEGENIUS Film Lab 2025), and Bungang Araw (CreatePH Films Short Film Grantee Cycle 2).

Rooted in the sensibilities of a probinsyano raised on teleseryes and pop culture, his works explore tenderness in unlikely places and humor in the face of struggle.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

Raised in a household where both parents were consumed by their careers, attending school events became a luxury I could seldom afford. Whether it was a parent-teacher conference, a sports day, or a festive celebration like Mother’s Day, my parents’ absence echoed louder than any applause or laughter. Their commitments, though noble and necessary, left an unforgettable mark on my childhood, shaping my understanding of family dynamics and personal identity.

As I grew older, another layer of my identity unfolded— my queerness. And in a society that often struggles to embrace diversity, my dreams of building a family felt like a distant fantasy. There’s this longing to create a sense of belonging, to carve out a space where love knows no bounds. I felt like an “other”.

Happy (M)others Day is a reflection of my elementary school years, encapsulated in the inner turmoil of a child named Sabrina challenged in a world defined by binaries. Sabrina, a young elementary student, faced a dilemma familiar to many children with non-traditional family backgrounds when she was forced to decide who to invite for Mother’s Day, having been raised by two fathers.

This film is my rallying cry for acceptance and inclusivity. I hope that this film will serve as a reminder that family is not bound by blood or tradition, but by love— pure and unwavering.

Let's help Sabrina bring her family, so our future kids will be able to bring theirs too.