Alma Moreno surprised to cry at son Vandolph’s comedy film

Alma Moreno breaks down at Vandolph’s film premiere, and feels Dolphy’s presence in an emotional “Home Along Da Riles: Da Reunion” screening.

Actress Alma Moreno showed up at the June 15 premiere of “Home Along Da Riles: Da Reunion” at SM Megamall with one goal: to support her son, Vandolph.

And support him she did—with pride, and a few unexpected tears.

The veteran actress admitted she didn’t expect to get emotional watching a comedy. But she did, especially in the final moments of the film. 

“A lot,” she said when asked which parts made her cry. “But it’s really the last part. When I saw my son crying… I knew it was really him. It was sincere.”

For Alma, the experience wasn’t just about watching a movie but also about witnessing her son step into a role she once associated with his father, the late Comedy King Dolphy. “As a mother, I was very proud of him,” she shared. “I saw Dolph in him—how he loves others, how he makes people laugh, and how serious he is about entertaining.”

She also found herself emotional over another surprise: spotting her other son, Mark Anthony Fernandez, on screen. “Even from his hands, his walk—I already knew it was him,” she said. “I said, ‘Oh my God, this is my son.’”

Despite the film revisiting a project closely tied to Dolphy, Alma said it didn’t reopen old wounds. Instead, it felt like a celebration. “It’s gone. I’m happy there’s this movie now. You can see the love—a family that loves each other. Even if it’s hard, they stay intact.”

That, she said, is the film’s biggest takeaway: family. “They fight, but they help each other. Whether you’re rich or poor, you’re still there for one another. You’re not just crying, you’re still smiling.”

The film, which hits cinemas nationwide on June 17, also features emotional moments tied to Dolphy, including scenes that made Alma feel his presence all over again. “When he says he loves you, you feel that he’s still there,” she said.

Looking at Vandolph now, she can’t help but be amazed at how far he’s come. “You’d think before he was just a spoiled child,” she said with a laugh. “Now, I have a son who’s a producer.”

She ended with a message for audiences: expect both laughter and tears. “You’ll laugh hard, but you’ll cry for a few minutes, too.”

“Home Along Da Riles,” the iconic 1990s sitcom led by Dolphy, became a defining part of Filipino pop culture for its heartfelt mix of humor, family values, and everyday struggles. Decades later, its themes still resonate, proving that stories about love, resilience, and family continue to hit home for Filipino audiences across generations.

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