| Ligaya Ang Itawag Mo Sa Akin | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Carlos Siguion-Reyna |
| Written by | Bibeth Orteza |
| Produced by | Armida Siguion-Reyna |
| Starring | Rosanna Roces |
| Cinematography | Marissa Florendo |
| Edited by | Manet A. Dayrit |
| Music by | Ryan Cayabyab |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Star Cinema |
Release date | January 29, 1997 |
Running time | 105 minutes |
| Country | Philippines |
| Language | Tagalog |
Ligaya Ang Itawag Mo Sa Akin (International Title: They Call Me Joy) is a 1997 Philippine film directed by Carlos Siguion-Reyna. The film stars Rosanna Roces as the title role. It is one of the blockbuster hit movies produced by Reyna Films.[1][2][3][4]
Ligaya (Roces) is a veteran prostitute whose name means "joy", and is ironically tired and unhappy with her lifestyle. Having saved enough money, she decides to leave whoring for good, but love unexpectedly comes her way in the form of a sincere and honest farmer called Poldíng (Arcilla). The farmer, who falls madly in love with her, is Ligaya's ticket to a decent, respectable life.
Roces' oft-quoted line from the film is "Ligaya ang itawag mo sa akin, 'yan ang trabaho ko, nagbibigáy-ligaya." ("Call me 'Joy,' that's my job, giving joy"). It is often used in a humorous context, where the speaker parodies the catty attitude of a prostitute advertising her ability to give "pleasure".
| Year | Awards | Category | Recipient | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 47th FAMAS Awards | Best Supporting Actress | Isabel Granada | Won |
| 16th FAP Awards | Best Music Score | Ryan Cayabyab | Won | |
| 22nd Gawad Urian Awards | Best Supporting Actor | John Arcilla | Won | |
| 14th PMPC Star Awards for Movies | Musical Scorer of the Year | Ryan Cayabyab | Won | |
| Movie Theme Song of the Year | "Ligaya Ang Itawag Mo Sa Akin" | Won |
On February 18, 2020, Filipina-Moroccan actress Ivana Alawi was officially announced to lead the main character role for the TV remake of the movie. Unfortunately, Dreamscape Entertainment canceled the TV series remake due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines and the ABS-CBN shutdown. Instead, the series was retooled by Dreamscape as La Vida Lena, starring Erich Gonzales.[5]
