Hold On: A Filipino-Kiwi lens on family, duty, and choice

"Utang na loob."

Often translated as “debt of gratitude,” it is a deeply rooted Filipino value that does not always translate easily across cultures. In New Zealand, where more than 100,000 Filipinos now live and work, it remains a quiet but powerful force shaping the decisions, sacrifices, and identities of many migrant families.

It is this idea that sits at the heart of Hold On, a short film created entirely by Filipino-Kiwi creatives, both in front of and behind the camera. The film offers a window into a shared but rarely articulated experience within the Filipino diaspora in Aotearoa.

Director Rene Molina, also known as Kuya Rene Mo, said the story evolved during production. Originally conceived differently, the script was reshaped after casting the lead actor, whose personal story influenced the direction of the film.

Cinematographer and editor Andrew Diamante said the project was driven by a need for representation.

He said, “here in New Zealand, we are really underrepresented and I think there really is a need for us to make it out there, make an impact and leave a mark to New Zealand. This [film] is our way of doing it.”

At its core, Hold On follows a small cast of four: Russel Siayngco as the son, Molina as the father, Lourdes Santos as the mother, and Kiwi actor Wayne Co as the godfather. The story centres on a Filipino migrant family navigating life in New Zealand—where opportunity exists, but not always on one’s own terms.

Russel, a 40-year-old construction worker still living with his parents, represents a familiar reality for many. He has spent much of his life trying to be a good son, fulfilling expectations shaped by his parents’ sacrifices. Yet beneath that sense of duty lies a growing question about personal fulfilment.

The tension builds as he decides to leave New Zealand and return to the Philippines to find his own path, a choice that clashes with his mother’s expectations. The film captures a dilemma that resonates across many Filipino households: the balance between honouring one’s family and pursuing individual dreams.

For many Filipinos, particularly those in the diaspora, utang na loob is not just a concept but a lived responsibility. Children grow up aware that their parents migrated to provide better opportunities, and in return, they are expected to give back, often by prioritising family over personal ambition.

Diamante said this cultural dynamic is central to the film’s message.

“This values is such a Filipino thing, it so embedded in our culture and this film will bring light to that and will open doors for other culture to understand it," he said.

He added that it reflects his own experience growing up in New Zealand, where explaining utang na loob to Kiwi peers was not always straightforward.

Despite being shot in just five hours and with limited resources, the film drew a full house at its premiere at Capitol Cinema on Dominion Road in Auckland in May 2026. The strong turnout from the Filipino community underscored the demand for stories that reflect their realities.

The first screening of the Filipino-Kiwi film was held in Auckland, with further screenings planned across key cities in New Zealand. Photo: Kuya Rene Mo/FB

The film ends on an open note, with Molina confirming that a second part is already planned. For the team, Hold On is not just a one-off project, but a starting point.

“We just wanted to do it, this is our proof of concept that it works. I believe that there was divine intervention that blessed us to make this film possible. I also wanted to do a full length in the future,” Kuya Rene Mo said.

Early audience reactions have been strong, with many describing the film as deeply relatable and emotionally resonant. Screenings are also planned in Wellington and Christchurch, signalling wider interest beyond Auckland.

More than anything, Hold On highlights a shift. Filipino-Kiwi creatives are beginning to tell their own stories—grounded in lived experience, shaped by migration, and carried by values that persist across borders.

-Asia Media Centre