Meet, Greet & Bye: A Heartfelt Ode to Filipino Families

A story that will resonate deeply with many Filipinos, Meet, Greet, & Bye captures the heart of the Filipino households.

Words Katrina Clarice F. Abella
Photo courtesy of ABS-CBNStar Cinema
October 14, 2025

Photos from the official teaser video of Meet, Greet & Bye published by ABS-CBN Star Cinema.

Have you ever watched a film that touched your heart so much that you left the cinema in tears?

This is what the audience can expect from the highly anticipated Star Cinema movie ‘Meet, Greet & Bye,’ directed by Cathy Garcia-Sampana. The film stars Piolo Pascual, Joshua Garcia, Belle Mariano, Juan Karlos, and “The Diamond Star,”  Maricel Soriano.

Meet, Greet & Bye Teaser

On September 17, the official teaser for the movie was released. It highlighted the story of four siblings and their mother, who tried to hide the fact that her cancer had returned. The teaser begins at Mariano's graduation. Her three siblings are sitting in the audience, and as she and her mother go up on stage, Soriano suddenly collapses.

Later, inside their house, Soriano's children ask her why she hid the illness from them and why she refuses to undergo chemotherapy again.

“Ayoko nang magsuka. Ayoko nang makalbo. Gusto ko lang naman maging masaya sa mga huling araw ko. Masama ba ‘yon?” Soriano told her children.

The teaser ends with a powerful exchange. Pascual accuses his mother of being selfish for giving up.

“Ako ang mamamatay,” Soriano said, where Labajo answered with a “pero kami ang maiiwan.”

The teaser sparked emotional reactions from viewers online. Many shared how they could relate to the family's situation. Others expressed interest in Cathy Garcia-Sampana's return to the big screen, following her last film, ‘Hello, Love, Again,’ in 2024.

Some also pointed out similarities between the movie’s plot and other Filipino films, such as ‘Seven Sundays.’ Yet, the excitement for ‘Meet, Greet & Bye’ remains high—proof that stories about families still resonate.

Filipino culture and values

One reason ‘Meet, Greet & Bye’ resonates with many is its portrayal of Filipino values, especially those centered on family.

Filipinos are known to be deeply family-oriented. Many live in multi-generational households, celebrate holidays with extended families, and personally care for sick or aging relatives rather than placing them in care facilities.

This deep familial bond, ingrained in our culture, is why many Filipinos are drawn to films that center on family, whether comedic, romantic, or dramatic. They don’t just watch and appreciate the artistry of these films; they see themselves reflected in the characters.

In Filipino culture, we are also taught about “utang na loob,” a profound sense of gratitude, especially toward our parents or guardians who raised us. This is reflected in the pleas of Soriano’s children. They are not only afraid to lose their mother; they want to give back the love and care she has given them.

Their mother’s suffering becomes their own. That is how deeply and emotionally bonded Filipino families are.

Soriano’s character embodies the kind of parental love that reflects the sacrifices and pain mothers often endure for their children. The unspoken love, care, and tension between the mother and her children tie it all together in a way that feels deeply familiar—and incredibly moving.

Meet, Greet & Bye will be available exclusively in cinemas worldwide starting November 12, 2025.