Metro Manila Film Festival entry Call Me Mother — starring Vice Ganda and Nadine Lustre and directed by Jun Lana — has achieved a remarkable milestone as the first Asian film allowed to shoot inside the world-famous Disneyland theme park.
During the film’s grand media day held at Vice Comedy Club on December 4, the team revealed that a key scene features Vice alongside child actor Lucas Andalio interacting with iconic Disney characters.
“Hindi lang namin ginamit yung Disneyland as location. We had the Fab 5. Hindi biro makuha sila Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Daisy Duck, Donald Duck, and Goofy. For you to be able to get, parang silang superstars na bibigyan kayo ng certain number of time and to be able to get it na para talaga kayong nakikipagwork sa superstars and I have to credit na si Perci (Intalan) who has connections with Disney kasi he used to work at Disney,” director Jun Lana shared.
The award-winning filmmaker admitted getting emotional while capturing the rare scenes in the film’s special shoot location.
“Noong kinukuha namin iyon, naiyak talaga ako. May oras talaga na we have to shoot that in 15 minutes and nagawa talaga namin,” he added.
Vice also recounted how the production was granted exclusive access to specific areas of the park, including the iconic Disneyland castle.
“Ipinasara din (yung Disneyland). Nandoon kami, binigyan kami ng time, exclusively for us then sinabay kami na nandoon yung tao tapos binigyan kami ulit ng oras para sa amin lang tapos hanggang sa nagsara siya, nandodoon kami,” Vice stated. “Parang 1 whole day ako (nagshoot doon) and sila parang 2 days.”
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Star Cinema / YouTube
The team expressed pride in their historic accomplishment, noting that Call Me Mother is the first Asian film and third film globally permitted to shoot inside Disneyland.
“Nakakaproud kasi we are the first movie in Asia na pinayagan magshoot sa Disneyland and the third in the whole world,” Vice expressed.
The trailer for Call Me Mother, released Tuesday, has already earned over 16 million cumulative views within 24 hours across multiple platforms. Fans praised not only the film’s visual scale but also the significance of this feat for the Philippine movie industry.
Beyond the excitement, Vice and Nadine emphasized the film’s deeper exploration of motherhood. In a previous media junket, the two stars shared why the story resonated with them.
“When this movie has explained to me na motherhood is beyond gender. It’s beyond bearing a child, giving birth to a child. Mas malawak at mas malalim pa yung ibig sabihin ng pagiging nanay talaga,” Vice said.
Nadine agreed, stressing that motherhood is a journey no one is ever fully prepared for.
“And wala talagang babae na magiging ready for motherhood. Marami kasi akong friends na ganoon na una sinasabi nila na they want to be a mom tapos kapag nandyan na sinasabi nila ‘ganito pala iyon!’ and that’s okay. The thing kasi na ‘yung mga ganoong klaseng situation na dumadaan sa buhay natin, doon tayo nago-grow, doon tayo natututo,” Nadine explained.
Portraying the role of being “mothers,” both actors honored mothers, biological or chosen, who embrace the responsibility with strength and love.
“Laking pasasalamat at saludo namin sa mga piniling maging nanay sa buong mundo kasi ibang klaseng tatag at responsibilidad at ibang klaseng pagmamahal mayroon sila sa puso nila para tanggapin ang obligasyon na iyon,” Vice said.
Call Me Mother is co-produced by Star Cinema, The IdeaFirst Company, and Viva Films. The ensemble cast includes Mika Salamanca, Brent Manalo, Klarisse De Guzman, Shuvee Etrata, River Joseph, Esnyr Ranollo, MC Muah, Iyah Mina, Divine Tetay, John Lapus, Carmi Martin, Chanda Romero, Ces Quesada, and more.