Pokwang, Joey Marquez turn serious for ‘2 Valid IDs’

MANILA, Philippines — Pokwang and Joey Marquez have spent much of their careers making Filipinos laugh, but in their Cinemalaya 2026 entry “2 Valid IDs,” the veteran comedians confront an all-too-familiar Filipino experience that’s no laughing matter.

Directed by Cinemalaya 2022 Best Director Ma-an Asuncion-Dagñalan from a screenplay by Abet Pagdagdagan Raz, the film follows Sylvia and Ramon, an elderly farming couple from Ilocos who travel to Manila after the latter falls ill.

Pokwang plays Sylvia, who must endure long lines, confusing requirements and minimal resources as she tries to claim money for the medical expenses of her husband Ramon, played by Joey.

Also part of the principal cast are Meryll Soriano, who is Ramon’s niece Mercy, an Ilocano who has long been based in Manila, and Zaijian Jaranilla who takes on the role of Denver, a young caregiver staying at the hospital with his own grandparent.

“2 Valid IDs” is produced by Super!, Eyepoppers Multimedia Services, Inc., Cloudy Duck Pictures, Aliud Entertainment, CMB Film Services and Be True Entertainment.

Pokwang and Joey said that even before filming began, the material had already affected them.

“Nung binasa ko yung script na binigay, naluha rin ako,” Joey shared with The STAR and two other news outlets at 901 Studios. “Komedyante ako, oo, pero naramdaman ko yung sinasaad.”

Reading the screenplay, he said, also made him consider how much pain and real-life experience must have gone into writing the story.

Pokwang similarly recalled how emotional their workshop became prior to the shoot proper.

“Workshop pa lang, bumabaha na kami ng luha,” she said. “Tapos nung nag-roll na, shooting na, eto na.”

According to Pokwang, Sylvia’s desperation wasn’t something she had to imagine entirely. The character’s struggle to process documents and seek assistance during a medical emergency reminded her as well of a painful period in life.

“Naranasan ko ’yan. Pumila ako nang ganyan katagal, ganyan kahaba,” she recalled.

Pokwang particularly recounted the requirements she had to complete following the death of her son. This was in the ‘90s, before joining showbiz, where she eventually found success as a comedienne.

“Nung namatay din yung anak kong lalaki, naranasan din namin yung pila para kumuha ka ng tulong,” she said. “Ang daming hahanapin. Patay na yung bata, ang dami pang aasikasuhin.”

Those memories helped her understand Sylvia, as a wife dealing with paperwork while caring for her sick husband.

“Nung binasa ko na yung script, sabi ko, ‘Oh my God,’” Pokwang said. “Iniisip ko yung hirap na pinagdaanan ni Sylvia, yung talagang sakripisyo niya para sa kasama niya sa buhay.”

“Eh, naranasan ko ’yon. Naranasan ko ’yon lahat,” she continued. “Kaya yung preparation (ko) siguro… ibigay ko yung totoong nararamdaman ko doon sa character ni Sylvia. Minsan kusa na lang lumalabas talaga yung pain.”

Despite its heavy subject, “2 Valid IDs” isn’t entirely without humor, the cast said. For them, the lighter moments aren’t intended to distract audiences from the characters’ situation. Instead, they reflect how Filipinos instinctively use laughter to help them endure difficult circumstances.

Directed by Cinemalaya 2022 Best Director Ma-an Asuncion-Dagñalan from a screenplay by Abet Pagdagdagan Raz, the Cinemalaya 2026 entry follows Sylvia and Ramon (Pokwang and Joey), an elderly farming couple from Ilocos who travel to Manila after the latter falls ill. Sylvia must endure long lines, confusing requirements and minimal resources as she tries to claim money for her husband’s medical expenses.

“Kung may drama man, pitik-pitik lang,” Pokwang joked, before noting how humor is part of the Filipino character even in times of hardship.

Meryll agreed, saying laughter often becomes a way of coping. The humor, therefore, does not erase the gravity of the film’s subject. If anything, it makes the characters more recognizably Filipino, people who can still exchange jokes while facing illness, financial pressure and bureaucratic difficulties.

“And (it shows) how resilient we are. We try to divert that into humor,” she said. “Kahit baha, nakita mo yung mga bata, naliligo, natatawa pa rin. So I think that’s a great reflection also sa mga Pilipino,” Meryll added.

As mentioned, the story revolves around Sylvia’s attempt to claim money wired through a remittance center for Ramon’s treatment, only to be asked to present two valid IDs. The seemingly routine requirement becomes an ordeal for her coming from the province with limited money and little familiarity with such processes.

Pokwang said the film isn’t necessarily taking aim at one particular government agency or institution.

“Wala tayong patama. Sinasalamin lang namin kung ano talaga yung nararanasan natin,” she explained. “Hindi kailangang magpatama kasi matatamaan naman… Realidad po ng buhay.”

Joey likewise described the issue as a complicated system rather than the fault of one particular person or institution. He also pointed out the contradiction in asking people to produce documents such as passports or driver’s licenses as primary identification.

“Papaano kung hindi ikaw ang nagmamaneho? Yung passport, papaano kung hindi ka pa nakapag-travel?” he said. “Yun ang mga hinihinging primary. Pag wala ka ng isa noon, hahanapan ka talaga ng iba.”

Meryll raised an equally basic question.

“Bakit kailangan ng dalawa?” she said. “Parang hindi ma-verify ng isang ID yung pagkatao mo… Bakit kailangan ng dalawa to verify my identity?”

As for Zaijian, the youngest in the lead cast, the film also speaks to younger Filipinos who are forced to take on adult responsibilities early because of poverty.

His character is caring for his own grandparent at the same hospital where Sylvia and Ramon find themselves. Although he’s not related to them, he becomes one of the people who helps Sylvia understand and complete the requirements she needs.

He also personally related to the character as a self-confessed “lola’s boy.” Zaijian shared that he has recently begun dealing with some of his own documents and assisting his grandmother with paperwork instead of allowing her to continue handling everything for him.

At the center of the film is the “collaboration” between Pokwang and Joey as scene partners.

Pokwang appreciated Joey for being a supportive and generous co-actor. “Bilang veteran actor natin ’yan, nirerespeto natin,” she said. “Pero hindi niya ipaparamdam sa ’yo ’yon. Yung support niya talaga nandoon, kaya parang ang gaan lang ng trabaho.”

Joey, meanwhile, praised his leading lady’s performance and even placed an early bet on her chances at the festival’s awards night.

“Kung sinasabi mong Best Actress, pumupusta na ako sa kanya,” he declared.

Pokwang laughed off the prediction, saying she was more concerned about doing justice to Sylvia than receiving an award.

“Hindi ko muna iniisip ’yon. Iniisip ko muna ilabas yung character ni Sylvia rito,” she said. “Sabi ko, sana mabigyan ko naman ng justice.”

“Wala namang imposible sa dasal,” she added. “Pero kailangan galingan mo muna. Pagpaguran mo muna at ibigay mo yung tama at naaangkop.”

Audiences can catch “2 Valid IDs” during the 22nd Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival, which runs from Aug. 6 to 18. Screenings will be held at Red Carpet Cinemas at Shangri-La Plaza, Ayala Malls and Gateway Cineplex.