Manila Skies

Manila Skies follows the story of Raul (Raul Arellano), an ordinary guy from the Philippine provinces whose life is shaped by poverty, limited opportunities, and systemic social inequality. When a bag of cash and jewelry falls from the sky onto a rural farmland, a local farmer (Ronnie Lazaro) retrieves it and promises a young Raul that he will send him to Manila to study, highlighting the allure of the city as a place of opportunity.

Decades later, Raul navigates the crowded streets of Manila, carrying goods and attempting to build a life in the metropolis. He faces numerous obstacles, including bureaucratic inefficiencies, unemployment, and exposure to criminal elements. He participates in a failed attempt with friends to reclaim money that had been taken from them. Meanwhile, the film also depicts other residents of the city’s squatter communities, showing the harsh living conditions of families crowded into makeshift homes and the pervasive struggle for survival.

Driven by frustration, delusion and desperation, Raul eventually takes drastic measures, seizing control of an aircraft to demand a change in his fate. ^[7]

• Raul Arellano ⁠–⁠ Raul ^[8]
• John Arcilla ⁠–⁠ Crispin
• Ronnie Lazaro ⁠–⁠ Raul's father
• Soliman Cruz ⁠–⁠ Juan
• Karlo Altamonte ⁠–⁠ Karlo
• Raul Morit ⁠–⁠ Morit
• Sue Prado ⁠–⁠ Diana
• Noni Buencamino
• Archie Adamos
• Nanding Josef
• Lav Diaz
• Tony Mabesa
• Mon Confiado
• Jess Evardone
• Mike Lloren
• Flor Salanga
• Ronron Villar
• Pen Medina