Hiling

Hiling (meaning "Wish") is a 1998 Filipino fantasy comedy-drama film. Jose Javier Reyes wrote and directed it. The cast includes Camille Prats, Shaina Magdayao, Serena Dalrymple, Gina Pareño, Nida Blanca, Tirso Cruz III, Cherry Pie Picache, Paolo Contis, and Carlo Aquino. Supporting actors are Dexter Doria, Rez Cortez, Mely Tagasa, Menggie Cobarrubias, and Joy Viado. Star Cinema produced and distributed the film with Available Light Productions. It came out in theaters on November 18, 1998.

The story takes place in Barangay Sansinukuban, a chaotic neighborhood on Kalye Matiyaga. Anna (Camille Prats) lives there with her mother Cely and grandmother Melyang. Her father Oscar lives apart with her aunt Pura and older brother Junjun. Anna spends time with friends Trinket, Minggoy, and Abigail. Neighbors include Elwood, a hopeless romantic pining for April, daughter of village chief Kikoy. On her mother's birthday, Anna brings a cake to her father and brother. She meets an old woman who has not eaten breakfast or lunch. Anna gives her a piece of the cake. Because of this generosity, the old woman—Manang Garcia (Gina Pareño)—grants Anna the power to grant wishes by touching people with her palm.

Anna first touches her aunt Pura, who wishes her plants would grow big. Later, the plants grow enormous, astonishing the neighborhood. Minggoy wishes to be rich so his family stops suffering; after Anna touches him, he wins the lottery. Arnel wishes to become a woman; Anna accidentally touches him, and he transforms into a beautiful woman named Annabel. Trinket challenges Anna to prove her ability. Anna touches a boy playing in an improvised pool and asks if he wants a bigger one; he agrees, and the wish comes true. Each wish has unintended side effects. For example, Elwood wishes to become attractive to women; after Anna touches him, women aggressively pursue him, even fighting over him. Only his friend Rowena is immune. Margarita wishes her husband Mario would serve her like a queen; Anna touches her, and Mario becomes so devoted he quits his job. Pura's plants become deadly vines that constrict anyone except her. Arnel's transformation leaves her instantly pregnant. Anna's father Oscar becomes so worried for her safety that he wants to hide her away. Her grandmother Lola Melyang initially doubts Anna's powers but later believes after seeing the miracles.