Pedro and Maria is a Filipino folktale-inspired story about two siblings abandoned in the forest by their struggling parents. Pedro, the clever older brother, leaves a trail of pandesal crumbs to find their way back. However, they discover a house made of Filipino delicacies, owned by Mamang Margarita, a wicked mangkukulam (witch) who lures them inside. Maria outsmarts the witch, trapping her in a boiling pot. They escape and meet Tito, the witch’s remorseful brother, who gifts them a magical wooden box. Returning home, the box transforms their bahay kubo, bringing prosperity, love, and a newfound purpose to help others.

Pedro & Maria's Trials in the Forest 

Pedro and Maria standing in a dark forest, looking worried. Breadcrumbs scattered on the ground.

Father and Mother tearfully left Pedro and Maria in the forest, unable to feed their family anymore. Pedro, being clever, had dropped pandesal crumbs along the path to find their way home. 'Don't worry, Maria,' Pedro comforted his sister as darkness fell around them. But when they tried to follow the trail, they discovered birds had eaten all the breadcrumbs.

Lost in the Forest

Excited Maria pointing at a house made of bibingka walls and a puto roof. Mamang Margarita, an elderly woman with long gray hair, smiling suspiciously at the door.

Hungry and lost, the siblings stumbled upon a house made entirely of Filipino delicacies. 'Look, the walls are bibingka and the roof is made of puto!' Maria exclaimed excitedly. Mamang Margarita, an elderly woman with long gray hair, invited them inside with a suspicious smile. The children, too hungry to resist, followed her into the sweet-smelling home.

The Delicious House

Pedro and Maria fleeing from a burning pot. Mamang Margarita, an elderly woman with long gray hair, leaning over the pot.

Pedro soon realized Mamang Margarita was a mangkukulam who planned to cook them for dinner. Quick-thinking Maria tricked the witch into showing how to check if the pot was hot enough. When Mamang Margarita peered into the boiling pot, Maria pushed her in. The children fled into the forest where they met Tito, who apologized for his sister's wickedness.

Outsmarting Mamang Margarita

Tito, an old man, handing a small wooden box to Pedro and Maria. A bahay kubo in the background.

Tito gave them a small wooden box, saying it would bring blessings to kind hearts. Pedro and Maria finally found their way home to their bahay kubo and their surprised parents. When they opened the box, golden light transformed their humble home into a prosperous farm. The family promised to always help others in need, just as they had been helped.