One day police officers arrest Rosa and Nestor for selling drugs and ask them for "bail money" or a bribe for the couple's release.

Director Brillante Mendoza decided to make the film to tackle the issue of small-scale drug selling in the Philippines which he says is really happening in the country and described the situation as alarming.

[7] Maggie Lee of Variety reviewed the film and said "Boasting a simple, coherent plot shot with real-time, handheld verismo, it’s a work of understated confidence that will not disappoint his festival acolytes, but probably won’t win many new converts".

[8] Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian stated that "Ma'Rosa is made with control and clarity, a narrative purpose which is held on to despite an apparently aimless docu-style, and a clear sense of jeopardy".

[9] A scene where Jaclyn Jose's character is eating fishball has become an iconic meme in Philippine internet culture referring to the "petsa de peligro," when one is in financially dire straits before their next salary.