''Mang Kepweng Returns'' is a 2017 Filipino

fantasy Fantasy is a genre of speculative fiction that involves supernatural or Magic (supernatural), magical elements, often including Fictional universe, imaginary places and Legendary creature, creatures. The genre's roots lie in oral traditions, ...

comedy horror film Comedy horror (also called horror comedy) is a literary, television and film genre that combines elements of comedy and horror fiction. Comedy horror has been described as having three types: "black comedy, parody and spoof." Comedy horror can a ...

. The film is directed by Giuseppe Bede Sampedro and is under the production of Cineko Productions in association with

Viva Films Viva Films, Inc. (also known as Viva Films, stylized as VIVA Films) is a Philippine film production and distribution company owned by Viva Communications. It was founded in 1981 by Vic del Rosario Jr. and his sister Tess Cruz. Viva Films is o ...

. The current distributor of the film is

GMA Pictures GMA Network Films Inc., trade name, doing business as GMA Pictures (formerly Cinemax Studios and GMA Films), is a Philippines, Philippine film studio, film, television production company, production and distribution (marketing), distribution c ...

. The film is a remake of the 1979 film ''Mang Kepweng'' where the titular protagonist, a funny ''

albularyo ''Albularyo'' or ''albulario'' is a Filipino language, Filipino term for a witch doctor, folk healer or medicine man, derived from Spanish language, Spanish ''herbolario'' (herbalist). They practice folk medicine and use medicinal plants in their ...

'', was portrayed by comedian Chiquito. It was released in Philippine cinemas on January 4, 2017, exactly the same day of

Vhong Navarro Ferdinand Hipolito "Vhong" Navarro (born January 4, 1977), is a Filipino comedian, actor, dancer, recording artist, and television host. He is known for his comedic performances in films such as '' Mr. Suave'' (2003), '' Gagamboy'' (2004), and ...

's birthday.

Synopsis

The story revolves around Kiefer (

), a normal guy who lives a quiet life until he goes through bizarre experiences, seeing ghosts and evil spirits. With this, his mother Milagros (

Jacklyn Jose Mary Jane Santa Ana Guck (October 21, 1963 – March 2, 2024 ), known professionally as Jaclyn Jose, was a Filipino actress. Known for her penetrating eyes and antagonistic roles in film and soap operas, she was a recipient of various accolades ...

) is forced to tell him the truth that he is Mang Kepweng's son. With Kiefer's determination to know more about his roots and how he is connected to the paranormal occurrences he is experiencing, he travels to the provinces meeting his half-brother Zach (

James Blanco James Blanco Castillo (born June 15, 1981), known professionally as James Blanco, is a Filipino singer-songwriter, actor, and television personality. He is known for his roles in ''Ikaw Lang ang Mamahalin'' (2001 – 2002), '' Rubi'' (2010), ' ...

), a successful doctor who cannot cure his wife's Via (

Sunshine Cruz Sunshine Braden Cruz (; born July 18, 1977) is a Filipino actress and singer. She is part of the Cruz family of actors. Personal life Cruz married actor and director Cesar Montano on September 14, 2000. They have three daughters: Angelina Isa ...

) mysterious illness. Zach later revealed that their late father Mang Kepweng ( Chiquito) left a scarf which gives a healing power to whoever wears it. With Zach's desire to cure his wife, he tried it but it didn’t work which turns out that Kiefer is the chosen one who can heal using the magical scarf and this signals a new road for Kiefer, as the new Mang Kepweng this time.

Cast

Main cast

as Kiefer Rivera/Mang Kepweng *

Kim Domingo Kim Domingo (born February 3, 1995) is a Filipino actress, model and singer. She played the leading antagonist in '' Juan Happy Love Story'', '' Tsuperhero'' and '' Super Ma'am''. She is currently a freelance artist. Early life Domingo was b ...

as Alyssa

Supporting cast

* Cristian Caingin as Estong Eskaryote *

Jaclyn Jose Mary Jane Santa Ana Guck (October 21, 1963 – March 2, 2024 ), known professionally as Jaclyn Jose, was a Filipino actress. Known for her penetrating eyes and antagonistic roles in film and soap operas, she was a recipient of various accolades ...

as Milagros Rivera, Kiefer's mother *

as Dr. Zacharias Rivera, Kiefer's half-brother *

as Via Rivera, Zach's wife and Kiefer's sister-in-law *

Juancho Trivino Juancho is a town in the Pedernales Province of the Dominican Republic The Dominican Republic is a country located on the island of Hispaniola in the Greater Antilles of the Caribbean Sea in the Atlantic Ocean, North Atlantic Ocean. It sh ...

as Boy Pogi * Balang as Mac, Kiefer's adopted nephew * Chunsa Jung as Bea, Kiefer's adopted niece * Jobert Austria as Shugo * Alex Calleja as Gabe *

Xia Vigor Xiamara “Xia” Sophia Bernardo Vigor (born 23 June 2009) is a British-Filipino child actress and TV host in the Philippines. Biography She was the first grand winner of It's Showtime (Philippine TV program), ''It's Showtimes segment "Mi ...

as Menggay, Nora's Daughter * Josh de Guzman as Butchoy, Nora's son *

Jhong Hilario Virgilio "Jhong" Viernes Hilario Jr. (born August 11, 1976) is a Filipino actor, dancer, television host, and politician. He is part of the Filipino dance group ''Streetboys''. He is currently serving as a councilor of Makati from its 1st dis ...

as Vladimir *

Pen Medina Crispin "Pen" Parungao Medina Sr. (born August 27, 1950, in Arayat, Pampanga) is an actor from the Philippines who started acting in theater plays in his youth. He eventually played versatile roles on the big screen and in various television s ...

as Ingkong Kapiz * Louise de los Reyes as Sofia *

Jackie Rice Jacqueline Sobreo Rice (born April 27, 1990) is a Filipino former actress, model, and singer. Until 2022, she was a contract artist of GMA Artist Center. Rice appeared as the cover girl for ''Maxim'' magazine in July 2009 and '' FHM'' twice in ...

as Prinsesa Alissandra *

Valeen Montenegro Valeen Montenegro Vicente-Manuel (born June 10, 1990) is a Filipino actress, comedian and model. Career Montenegro started her acting career as one of the new talents launched by ABS-CBN Corporation, ABS-CBN's talent management arm Star Magic ...

as Rachelle * Crazy Duo as Mickey & Bugs

Special Participation

Helga Krapf Helga Krapf (born Helga Marie Krapf; August 24, 1988) is a Filipino actress. Biography Personal life Krapf was born in Germany to a German father named Hans Krapf, a retired seaman and to a Filipina mother, Agnes Barcena. She has an older sister ...

as young Milagros *

Luz Fernandez Luzviminda Fernandez (July 13, 1935 – March 5, 2022), better known professionally as Luz Fernandez, was a Filipino actress and television presenter. She was a long-time radio actress for DZRH who also did acting for film, television, and thea ...

as Komadrona *

Petite Petit is a French-language surname literally meaning "small" or "little". Notable people with the surname include: *Adriana Petit (born 1984), Spanish multidisciplinary artist *Alexis Thérèse Petit (1791–1820), French physicist * Amandine Pet ...

* Bangky as Dedo "Mang Dedz" Manzano * Lotlot de Leon as Aling Dara *

Shalala Shalala may refer to: * Shalala (broadcaster), (born Carmelito Masagnay Reyes, 1960–2021), Filipino comedian, radio and TV personality * Shalala (EP), 2023 EP by Taeyong * Donna Shalala Donna Edna Shalala ( ; born February 14, 1941) is an Ame ...

Ahron Villena Ahron Villena (born Roche Ahron Villena on March 10, 1987) is a Filipino actor. He was formerly a member of ABS-CBN's Star Magic and is currently a Sparkle GMA Artist Center artist. Career In 2004, he joined and won the ABS-CBN noontime show ...

* Tart Carlos * Marlou Arizala * Odette Khan *

Matet de Leon Maria Nora Ana Theresa Villamayor "Matet" de Léon-Estrada (born October 4, 1983) is a Filipino actress who began her career as a child star. She then transitioned to a supporting actress, often taking roles as the best friend of the main charact ...

as Nora *

Ryan Bang Bang Hyun-sung (; born 16 June 1991), professionally known as Ryan Bang, is a South Korean host, comedian, actor, singer, and vlogger based in the Philippines. Bang is one of a few Korean expatriates to appear in Philippine television; other e ...

* Aling Carmen

Sequel

A sequel was announced on August 20, 2019, on

Twitter Twitter, officially known as X since 2023, is an American microblogging and social networking service. It is one of the world's largest social media platforms and one of the most-visited websites. Users can share short text messages, image ...

entitled ''Mang Kepweng: Ang Lihim ng Bandanang Itim'' and part of the

2020 Metro Manila Film Festival The 2020 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) is the 46th edition of the annual Metro Manila Film Festival. It is organized by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA). It is the first edition of the festival to be held online due to th ...

and to be released on December 25, 2020.{{Cite web, url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/08/22/19/barbie-imperial-is-vhong-navarros-newest-leading-lady, title=Barbie Imperial is Vhong Navarro's newest leading lady, website=ABS-CBN News, access-date=August 22, 2019

References

2017 films 2017 comedy horror films 2010s fantasy comedy films 2010s ghost films 2010s supernatural horror films Filipino-language films Philippine ghost films Philippine supernatural horror films Viva Films films Remakes of Philippine films Philippine comedy horror films