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Review: “Utang na loob” gets toxic in new family drama film. Photo by Josh Mercado

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Josh Mercado

Filipino families have a unique style of repaying individuals — known as “utang na loob” — who have helped them achieve their goals. Unfortunately, the &quot;utang na loob&quot; culture has become a barometer for determining whether a family member is a good person.When a kuya (eldest brother) decides to choose himself, he immediately becomes bad, ungrateful, and soulless.Mothers, fathers, grandmothers, and grandfathers frequently forget that in their pursuit of a comfortable life, their children are also human beings with real emotions and own beliefs.So, when should a family member stop paying back a debt of gratitude? The new family drama movie &quot;How To Get Away From My Toxic Family&quot; provides answers.<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1753146644661image0 (2).jpeg" class="fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"/>Ogie Diaz and KreativDen hold special screening of ‘How To Get Away From My Toxic Family.’ Josh MercadoIn the film, Zanjoe Marudo plays Arsenio de Dios, a dedicated OFW who travels abroad to support his family. However, when he comes home, he is overwhelmed by emotional debts, financial obligations, and a vicious cycle of dependency.</div>Arsenio is a typical Pinoy breadwinner who, despite his family&#x27;s toxic behavior, chooses to understand and give all until nothing remains for him.But he is also human. A sense of home that he had imagined as peaceful and nurturing has become toxic, unwelcoming, and burdensome. He’s exhausted.Marudo&#x27;s silent battles and quiet acting are visible on the screen, demonstrating that, despite his long absence from acting, he is still one of the best actors of his time.Then there&#x27;s Arsenio&#x27;s niece Jing-jing, played by Juharra Asayo, who becomes his beacon of light in the midst of his gloomy life. She&#x27;s grateful, playful, and has a pure heart.Her pure heart affects Arsenio&#x27;s life. They form a close bond, with Arsenio being her second father. Asayo brings purity to this heavy drama film, thanking Marudo for guiding her as a child actress.“Thankful po ako. First project ko po ito at malaking tulong po ito sa akin. This movie, sobrang laking impact po sa career ko,” Asayo told ABS-CBN News.With that amount of intensity, Asayo&#x27;s performance in the film is outstanding, especially given that she may still be unaware of the term &quot;toxic family&quot; at her age.At her age, she can recognize a pure soul in Tito Arsenio, who refers to her as his &quot;favorite.&quot;Some of the viewers’ favorite scenes in the film that depict the toxicity of a family include one in which Arsenio&#x27;s mother (played by Susan Africa) is manipulative and another in which his brother (played by Richard Quan) betrays him and considers him as a rival.The characters of Africa and Quan embody the true meanings of toxic family members in Filipino culture: gaslighters, liars, and emotional and financial abusers.So, when Arsenio discovers underlying toxicity in his own family, he must make a life-changing decision: stay or leave. And the viewers will see this at the end of the film.Deep down, he understands that &quot;utang na loob&quot; is part of their family DNA, as evidenced by the fact that the entire family lives in the same house and that everyone is responsible for everyone else. It&#x27;s part of his culture.As he makes his final decision, he recalls a conversation with his favorite niece in which she expresses her desire to visit him in Dubai someday. That gives him the answer to his never-ending cycle of &quot;utang na loob.&quot;Directed by Lawrence Fajardo and co-produced by OgieD Productions and KreativDen Entertainment, “How To Get Away From My Toxic Family” will be released in Philippine cinemas on July 30. Kim Rodriguez, Lesley Lina, Keena Pineda, Sherry Lara, and Nonie Buencamino co-star.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/2024/11/10/zanjoe-marudo-to-star-in-upcoming-project-under-ogie-diazs-production-1855" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Zanjoe Marudo to star in upcoming project under Ogie Diaz’s production</a></div>

‘How To Get Away From My Toxic Family’ dives deep into the dark side of utang na loob, following Zanjoe Marudo’s heartbreaking journey as an OFW torn between duty and self-preservation, with a glimmer of hope found in the pure heart of his niece.

‘How To Get Away From My Toxic Family’ dives deep into the dark side of utang na loob, following Zanjoe Marudo’s heartbreaking journey as an OFW torn between duty and self-preservation, with a glimmer of hope found in the pure heart of his niece.

Movie review: 'Utang na loob' gets toxic in new family drama

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Movie review: 'Utang na loob' gets toxic in new family drama

Josh Mercado

Published July 22, 2025 11:29 AM PHT

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How To Get Away From My Toxic Family

Zanjoe Marudo

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