Signs of rebirth of the Philippine cinema arose by way of movies with inspirational themes. In 2002, Gil Portes released "Mga Munting Tinig (Small Voices)", a subdued movie about a teacher who inspired her students to follow their dreams; the movie also implied improving the country's education system. A year later, Mark Meily's comedy "Crying Ladies", about three Filipinas working as professional mourners in Manila's Chinatown but looking for other ways to earn a living, became a huge hit. Also that same year, Maryo J. de los Reyes made a buzz at various film festivals with "Magnifico", a simple film with universal appeal about a boy trying to help his family survive their hardships.