Kapuso actress Mika Salamanca shared that she turned down a lead role for a Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) movie for a chance to be part of Call Me Mother. In her broadcast channel on Instagram earlier this week, the Pinoy Big Brother Celebrity Collab Edition Big Winner expressed how badly she wanted to be part of the film topbilled by Vice Ganda and Nadine Lustre.
Call Me Mother is an official entry to the 2025 MMFF and is produced by Star Cinema, The IdeaFirst Company, and Viva Films.
READ: Vice Ganda, Jun Lana reveal story behind Disneyland shoot in ‘Call Me Mother’ trailer
The upcoming film marks the debut of Mika on the big screen, which made it more memorable for her. She recalled how her manager gave her the option between the undisclosed MMFF film and Call Me Mother, and she immediately decided towards the latter.
“I wouldn’t choose any better or any other way to have my first-ever movie. Naalala ko pa nung paglabas namin ng Bahay ni Kuya, sabay na dumating ang dalawang offer. Isang MMFF movie na may lead role, at ang Call Me Mother. At malinaw pa rin sa akin ang sinabi nina Kuya Jan (manager ko) hindi ko pwedeng tanggapin ang lahat, isa lang ang pwede,” she recalled.
The Kapuso Big Winner maintained that she wanted to be part of the highly-anticipated film and even begged the production to not remove her from the cast even if it means getting little to no days off.
“Naalala ko ring nakiusap talaga ako sa mga managers ko na ituloy ang movie with Meme Vice, kahit anong mangyari, kahit wala nang matirang oras para sa pahinga o day off, matuloy lang ang Call Me Mother. Hanggang sa look test, nagmamakaawa pa ako sa production na huwag akong alisin sa lineup ng artists,” she revealed.
Now that Call Me Mother is about to make its premiere this coming December 25, Mika expressed her excitement for everyone to watch the film they’ve worked hard on. She graciously thanked her fans for being as committed as she is when it comes to promoting her debut film as well.
“Para sa mga supporters na lagi kong nakikita, mapa-eroplano man o lupa, maraming, maraming salamat. Hindi biro ang ginagawa ninyo. Habang naglalako kami ng pelikula, naglalako rin kayo kasama namin. Sobrang yabang ko kapag nakikita ko kayo. Mahal na mahal ko kayo,” she wrote.
“Asahan ninyo na parte kayo kung bakit namin ginagawa ang lahat ng ito,” she ended.
Apart from Mika, Vice, and Nadine, Call Me Mother also stars John Lapus, Carmi Martin, Chanda Romero, Iyah Mina, Lucas Andalio, and former PBB Celebrity Collab housemates Esynr, River Joseph, Brent Manalo, Klarisse de Guzman, and Shuvee Etrata.