Dolphy and His Children in "Kung Anong Puno, Siyang Bunga"

Kung Anong Puno, Siyang Bunga (Tagalog: What the Tree Is, So Is Its Fruit) is a 1971 Filipino comedy - family drama film directed by Luciano Carlos. 

Produced by Dolphy's RVQ Productions, the film was the company's fourth anniversary presentation. 

It was top-billed by Dolphy, Gloria Romero, Sahlee Quizon, Manuel 'Boy' Quizon, Katy de la Cruz and Panchito.

Photo Credit: RVQ Productions

SYNOPSIS

Rodolfo 'Dolfo' Vera (Dolphy), a composer with a wife and two children, was just released from prison after being granted with a presidential pardon in time for Christmas. 

As he reflects on the events that led to his plight, a series of flashbacks was shown.

About fifteen years ago Dolfo went home and found his wife Rebecca (Gloria Romero) in a seemingly compromising situation with another man.

He accidentally killed the man during the ensuing scuffle, resulting in a prison term.

Harboring the feeling that Rebecca was unfaithful to him, Dolfo resolved never to see Rebecca again.

One day, a new prisoner arrived and turned out to be an accomplice of the man who died in the said scuffle.

This new prisoner disclosed that a setup was hatched to make it appear that Rebecca was committing infidelity.

With this information, Dolfo proved that he had made wrong accusations against Rebecca.

His efforts to apologize to and make amends with his wife proved futile, as the letters he wrote mysteriously failed to get into his wife's hands.

From the prison, Dolfo stayed for a while in the house of his cousin (Balut) and made plans on how to reach his family.

Dolfo found out that Rebecca and their two children lived in the house of his mother-in-law (Katy de la Cruz).

The children, Malou (Sahlee Quizon) and Marlon (Boy Quizon) are now teenagers who grew up without knowing their father. 

Dolfo applied for a job as a family driver. Rebecca saw her and talked about how things have changed.

Malou suddenly appeared and asked her mother who is the man she is talking to. 

Dolfo promptly said that he is the new driver, and Malou said that he is hired.

Malou found a father figure in the Dolfo, and music became their shared interest.

On the other hand, Marlon was antagonistic toward Dolfo.

Growing up without a guidance from a father figure, Marlon gravitated toward vices.

Meanwhile, Rebecca's mom was furious to find out that Dolfo is in her house.

She was also the one who made actions to alienate Dolfo from his children, reaching to the point of setting up a false tomb that bears Dolfo's full name.

She eventually agreed for Dolfo to work as a stay-in family driver on the condition that he will not reveal himself to their children as their father.

Another condition is that Dolfo should allow Rebecca to get married to Ferdinand (Panchito).

Rebecca's mother thinks Ferdinand is the better choice.

A drug deal gone wrong put Marlon in danger, prompting Dolfo to come to the rescue and almost lose his life in the process.

The incident served as the catalyst for Dolfo's reconciliation with Marlon and the rest of the family.

OTHER NOTES:

Zandro Zamora, later known for villainous roles in action movies, was cast as Zandy, Malou's suitor.

Photo Credit: RVQ Productions / Cinema One

*** Like many other movies from RVQ Productions, family members are part of the cast. Sahlee and Boy Quizon are Dolphy's children. The late Georgie Quizon, who played the role of the hippie houseboy, was Dolphy's brother.

*** Panchito's character is Ferdinand, a namesake of the Philippine president at the time of the movie's release.

*** In a scene inside the police station, Dolfo complains that the youth are into shenanigans and watch a lot of bomba movies. During that period, the bomba genre was characterized by gratuitous use of sex scenes.

*** Taglines: "This Is Definitely the Most Bombastic Picture of 1971," "The Family That Hates Each Other Kills Each Other"

*** A musical number featuring Dolfo and Malou was set on a rainy night. It samples 'rain' songs such as "Rain Rain, Go Away," "Singin in the Rain" and "Raindrops Keep Fallin On My Hand."

*** A number of shots were made at the Lamesa Park, a public park with lots of trees. The Tagalog translation of the movie title is 'What the Tree Is, So Is Its Fruit.'

Photo Credit: RVQ Productions / Cinema One

*** Speaking of parks, Dolfo has a musical number that features the song "MacArthur Park."

Video Credit: RVQ Productions / Cinema One