# Ipagpatawad Mo

Ipagpatawad Mo (English: Forgive Me) is a 1991 Philippine family drama film directed by Laurice Guillen from a story and screenplay written by Olivia M. Lamasan. Starring Vilma Santos and Christopher de Leon in their 16th film together, the film revolves around a couple who try their best to make their marriage work while they struggle with their firstborn who has autism. Charito Solis, Delia Razon, Bing Loyzaga, Amy Perez, Joonee Gamboa, and others also star as the supporting cast.
Produced and distributed by Viva Films, the film was theatrically released on 23 October 1991.

## Plot

The marriage between Celina and Mike went into a point of tension when they learned that their first-born child, Mike Jr. (nicknamed Junjun), has autism.

## Cast

* Vilma Santos as Celina Esquivel
* Christopher de Leon as Mike Esquivel
* Charito Solis as Carmen, Celina's mother
* Delia Razon as Isolde, Mike's mother
* Bing Loyzaga as Melanie
* Amy Perez as Monique
* Vivian Foz as Chona, Celina's sister
* Johnny Wilson as Jaime, Mike's father
* Joonee Gamboa as Gardo, Celina's father
* Edmund Cupcupin as Don Manuel
* Ruby Rodriguez as Ruby
* Jinky Oda as Jinky
* Terence Baylon as Junjun, the 8-year-old son of Celina and Mike who has autism
** Bennet Ignacio as Junjun (3 yrs.)
* Eddie Albert Ramos as Paolo, Celina and Mike's second son
* Lorli Villanueva as Psychiatrist
* Tony Mabesa as EENT Doctor
* Ces Mathay as Mike's Friend 1
* Raul Recto as Mike's Friend 2
* Manny Mendoza as Mike's Friend 3
* Maso Diez as Singer
* Rusty Sangalang as TV Director

## Production

ABS-CBN's resident writer and producer, Olivia Lamasan, was tasked by director Laurice Guillen to write a screenplay after the latter discovered her great efforts and contributions in rewriting the scripts.
The lead stars, Vilma Santos and Christopher de Leon prepared and tackled their roles as the parents of an autistic child by visiting a school for special needs, reading materials related to the subject matter, watching a film with the related themes, and speaking to the parents whose children have autism.

## Release

The film received a television premiere on 22 April 1993, as a feature presentation for GMA Network's movie block, Viva Sinerama.

## Reception
### Critical reception

Butch Francisco of The Philippine Star gave praise to the cast's performance, stating it is "a major film event of the year, with quiet and restrained performances by the cast that erupts in emotional outbursts only periodically and judiciously". Elvira Mata of Manila Standard gave a positive review, stating that she is glad that the film's story talks about a "more sophisticated subject", rather than the ones about romance and affairs. Nena Z. Villanueva, also from Manila Standard, stated that the film "should be an eye opener for such doctors and parents".

### Accolades

Accolades received by Ipagpatawad Mo :
| Year | Award | Category | Recipient(s) | Result |
| 1992 | 1992 FAP Awards | Best Film | Ipagpatawad Mo | Won |
| 1992 | 1992 FAP Awards | Best Director | Laurice Guillen | Nominated |
| 1992 | 1992 FAP Awards | Best Actor | Christopher de Leon | Won |
| 1992 | 1992 FAP Awards | Best Actress | Vilma Santos | Nominated |
| 1992 | 1992 FAP Awards | Best Child Performer | Terrence Baylon | Won |
| 1992 | 1992 FAP Awards | Best Child Performer | Benneth Ignacio | Nominated |
| 1992 | 1992 FAP Awards | Best Editing | Efren Jarlego | Won |
| 1992 | 1992 Young Critics Circle | Best Film | Ipagpatawad Mo | Nominated |
| 1992 | 1992 Young Critics Circle | Best Screenplay | Olivia M. Lamasan | Nominated |
| 1992 | 1992 Young Critics Circle | Best Performance by Male or Female, Adult or Child, Individual or Ensemble in Leading or Supporting Role | Vilma Santos | Nominated |
| 1992 | 1992 PMPC Star Awards for Movies | Best Actor | Christopher de Leon | Won |
| 1992 | 1992 PMPC Star Awards for Movies | Best Screenplay for an Original Material | Ipagpatawad Mo (written by Olivia M. Lamasan) | Won |
| 1992 | 1992 FAMAS Awards | Best Picture | Ipagpatawad Mo | Nominated |
| 1992 | 1992 FAMAS Awards | Best Actor | Christopher de Leon | Won |
| 1992 | 1992 FAMAS Awards | Best Child Actor | Terrence Baylon | Won |
| 1992 | 1992 FAMAS Awards | Best Director | Laurice Guillen | Nominated |