Content warning: this article mentions themes of rape and sexual assault.
Kapamilya actress Iza Calzado penned a lengthy message on her Instagram account earlier this week to express her gratitude for being chosen to act in the recent episode of Maalaala Mo Kaya. She played the role of Marissa–– a teacher and stepmother whose unwavering love for her stepdaughter is put to the test after a traumatic event that shakes their entire family.
Despite her health battles, election season, and Mother’s Day approaching during the taping of their episode, Iza maintained her desire to play the role.
READ: Iza Calzado stars as a courageous stepmom, teacher in “MMK”
“Nung dumating ang offer sa akin para gumawa ng isang MMK episode, sobrang natuwa ako. Miss ko na rin gumawa ng TV show at ito at hindi basta bastang show. Ito ay ang pagbabalik ng Maalaala Mo Kaya at naghalong kaba at kilig ang naramdaman ko,” she shared.
She admitted that she hesitated a bit in accepting the role because of how the preparation time was shorter than she imagined. However, the story was the driving force for her to accept her role as Marissa no matter what.
“Nung nabasa ko ang premise at script, alam ko agad na kailangan kong gawin ang piyesang ito dahil sa aral at mensahe na gustong maiparating nito sa ating viewers,” she added.
The story revolves around Angel (played by Krystal Mejes), who becomes the victim of a horrific assault by Marissa’s own students, whom the latter treated like her own children. She then makes a brave decision of stepping up to be a mother to Angel who needed a true mother figure in her life as she recovers from her trauma.
“Salamat at binigyan natin ng importansya ang pag bangon ng karakter ni Angel. Hindi sensational ang atake ng story. Binigyang halaga ang lens ng ating sexual assault survivors para maging empowered at matulungan na maghilom ang kanilang mga sugat,” Iza expressed.
Iza hoped that through this MMK episode, the unconditional love of a mother is felt–– even if it they’re not biologically related. She then shared how she could relate to the story of having a stepmother as she previously had two.
READ: Iza Calzado, Krystal Mejes touch hearts with moving portrayal in MMK “A Stepmother Story”
“Alam ko na itong story na ito ay binigay sa akin ng Nanay ko ay ng 2 stepmothers ko na nasa heaven, mas naintindihan ko sila lalo. I honor all of them pati na rin ang mga nagsilbing gabay at guro ko. Salamat sa inyong pag kalinga, andito rin po ako lumalaban lalo na para sa anak ko at pamilya ko,” she ended.
Watch the director's cut of Gumamela on iWant for free and catch the rest of MMK’s latest episodes every Wednesday–– 72 hours earlier than the Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live (KOL), and A2Z.