The cast of the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) 2025 entry Call Me Mother shared how their tight-knit bond made filming both fun and memorable.
In a media junket after the release of the film’s official trailer, lead star Vice Ganda said their camaraderie on set made the entire experience feel like family.
“Masaya yung shooting experience namin. Nagsimula at natapos kami na hindi nila alam na tapos na kami. Masaya yung vibe sa set namin kaya hindi magtataka na pagkatapos ng pelikula ay magkikita kita pa rin kami,” Vice said.
“Sa pelikula, kapag pinanood niyo, tatagos sa screen kung gaano kami ka-happy as a family, kung gaano kami ka-happy sa boarding house at yung naging relationship namin ni Mara (Nadine Lustre) hopefully maramdaman niyo rin sa big screens,” he added.
The Unkabogable Star also praised the natural chemistry of the former Pinoy Big Brother housemates in the cast, which he said added spontaneity and fun during scenes.
“Mga komedyante sila lahat kaya humahaba yung eksena namin dahil sa kanila rin. Naturally ang sasaya nila and bago namin sila makasama ni Nadine, close na sila so sumisingaw din yung ganoong closeness nila and yung relationship nila ang ganda ganda kaya ang dali lang sa kanila magharutan at magpatawa,” Vice said.
Mika Salamanca described the filming as both fun and challenging, saying: “Madali po sila lahat kawork kasi po inaalalayan po nila kami at laging may pakain si Meme and mahirap din po at the same time kasi mahirap pigilan ang tawa.”
Brent Manalo echoed the sentiment, admitting that he was so entertained by his castmates that he would sometimes forget he was part of the scene.
“Minsan po may eksena kami na magkakasama na minsan manonood na lang ako na nakakalimutan ko na parte pala ako ng eksena kasi iba yung bato nila every scene and every cut,” he expressed.
For singer Klarisse De Guzman, who is new to acting, the project opened her eyes to the demands of the craft.
“Ako po sobrang nakaka-amaze kasi siyempre bago po itong industry ng pag-acting so naamaze ako sa kanila kasi hindi pala madaling maging artista. Napakahirap din and nakita ko kung gaano sila kagaling, kahusay and yung professionalism nila. Talagang happy birthday!” she quipped.
Shuvee Etrata expressed gratitude to Vice for making the first timers feel at ease: “Naappreciate ko kay Meme na she gives us comfort talaga na bago magstart yung scene. Binibigyan niya kami ng kakaibang sense of comfortability na okay kaming lahat na komportable kami sa scene.”
The film also marks the reunion of Vice Ganda and Nadine Lustre, who previously starred together in Petrang Kabayo and Beauty and the Bestie. Vice lauded Nadine’s effortless acting and emotional depth.
“Mayroon talaga akong nadiscover sa kaniya as an actress kasi kapag nagkakaeksena kami, parang wala lang, parang nagbabanter lang kami and parang napakadali lang kay Nadine ng ginagawa niya and kapag nagpreview kami, sabi ko ‘Grabe pala talaga yung mata ni Nadine.’ Kaya pala ang dami niyang best actress nominations and awards na parang ang dali-dali lang and ang simple-simple niya lang ginagawa yung eksena pero iba kapag pinapanood mo siya sa big screen,” Vice said.
Nadine, on the other hand, said she is grateful to be part of Vice’s new era as an actor exploring more dramatic roles.
“Happy ako na naging parte ako ng bagong era ng acting ni Ate Vice kasi sanay tayo sa kaniya na before na comedy and also sa Beauty and the Bestie, yung last time na nagkawork kami talagang comedy yung mga scenes namin pero this time around, may heavy scenes kami, may drama scenes kami,” Nadine stated.
She went on: “Kahit alam ko na sobrang galing naman na ni Ate Vice pagdating sa comedy, kapag sa drama din talaga, nararamdaman ko and tumatagos din talaga sa akin, beyond sa pagiging Mara ko yung mga binabatong emotions ni Ate Vice so happy ako na na nawitness ko iyon and nakatrabaho ulit siya.”
Call Me Mother is co-produced by Star Cinema, The IdeaFirst Company, and Viva Films. It is one of the official entries to the 2025 Metro Manila Film Festival and will exclusively premiere in cinemas on Christmas Day, December 25.
The film also stars River Joseph, Esnyr, MC Muah, Iyah Mina, Divine Tetay, John Lapus, Carmi Martin, Chanda Romero, Ces Quesada, Lucas Andalio, and more.