Tatang 2009
In the gritty streets of Manila, an aging street thief named Tatang Ruding scrapes by with pickpocketing, dragging his granddaughter Ester along as his unwitting accomplice.
Director: Nico Hernandez
Cast
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Tatang (2009) about?
Tatang follows an elderly street thief and his granddaughter in Manila as their roles flip after a failed crime spirals into violence. When Ester steps up as the breadwinner, Tatang grapples with his own irrelevance while confronting the harsh realities of survival.
Who directed Tatang?
Tatang was directed by Nico Hernandez, a filmmaker whose work often explores societal margins with uncompromising realism.
Who stars in Tatang?
The film stars Pen Medina as Tatang, alongside Nikki Bagaporo as Ester, with supporting roles from Bok Siquijor, Blaise Rodriguez, and Onel Velarde.
Is Tatang (2009) worth watching?
While unrated on IMDb, Tatang is a tightly woven thriller that packs emotional weight into just 17 minutes. Its themes of survival and role reversal make it compelling for fans of short-form drama, though its bleak tone may not suit everyone.
How long is Tatang?
Tatang runs for 17 minutes.
About Tatang (2009) — A Manila Thriller About Survival and Sacrifice
In the gritty streets of Manila, an aging street thief named Tatang Ruding scrapes by with pickpocketing, dragging his granddaughter Ester along as his unwitting accomplice. When a botched theft leaves Tatang bruised and humiliated, his frustration boils over into anger at the young girl who once idolized him. As his sense of uselessness deepens, Tatang watches in shock as Ester transforms from sidekick to skilled survivor, turning the tables by becoming the family's breadwinner through her own nimble fingers.
Nico Hernandez's sharp 17-minute thriller captures the raw, uneasy bond between a broken man and a child forced into premature adulthood. With its unflinching portrayal of poverty and survival, Tatang (2009) strips away sentimentality to reveal a stark reality where love and desperation intertwine. The film's tense atmosphere lingers long after the credits roll, leaving viewers to ponder the true cost of resilience in a world that offers no second chances.