MANILA — Vice Ganda expressed heartfelt gratitude over the success of his Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) entry “Call Me Mother,” calling the film’s box-office run and awards haul “super extra special” during a thanksgiving gathering for the cast and crew.
Directed by Jun Robles Lana, the comedy hit also starred actress Nadine Lustre.
"Paulit-ulit ko ring napapatunayan na hindi pala ganoon kababaw ang pagmamahal sa akin ng ABS-CBN talaga. Ang lala nang pagmamahal niyo sa akin," Vice said during the "Call Me Mother" thanksgiving party on Thursday night.
"Grabe 'yung pagmamahal na ibinuhos niyo sa akin. Pagmamahal na damang-dama ko ang sinsiredad. Pagmamahal na hindi peke, pagmamahal na hindi trabaho lang. Pagmamahal na hindi one time big time. 'Yun ang naramdaam ko kay direk Jun (Lana), kay direk Perci (Intalan) at sa lahat ng tao niyo," added Vice, who also praised Lana's The IdeaFirst Company's efficiency and fun working atmosphere.
During the thanksgiving dinner it was announced that “Call Me Mother” has officially grossed P392 million worldwide as of February 5.
Apart from Vice, Lustre, and Lana, also present at the thanksgiving party were child actor Lucas Andalio, PBB Collab ex-housemates Brent Manalo, River Joseph, Shuvee Etrata and Mika Salamanca. Comedian Iyah Mina, veteran actors Carmi Martin, Ces Quesada and Chanda Romero and Jennifer Sevilla and Robert Ortega were also present.
Vice alsio honored Lana for giving him his first MMFF Best Actor trophy, thanking him for taking good care of him and the movie.
"Hindi naman sa pagyayabang, I have been able to experience being the No. 1 movie sa Metro Manila Film Festival for so many times, pero first time ko naging Best Actor. Salamat at sa edad kong ito at sa tagal ko nang gumagawa ng pelikula na paranasan mo ako ng isang bagong-bago, masarap na pangyayari sa buhay ko. Ang saya," the "It's Showtime" main host said.
Vice also thanked all the people who were part the film, including his co-stars led by Lustre.
"Most of all I'm so thankful to Nadine Lustre. Thank you so much. Ang lalim nito sa akin. Ang importante nito sa akin; personal ito sa akin. Malalim 'yung naramdaman ko sa iyo kaya sobra akong nagpapasalamat. 'Yung mabilisan mong pagtanggap kahit hindi mo alam kung anong pelikula ang gagawin natin, yes kaagad. Tapos walang problema ang ganda ng relasyon natin sa set. Naisara mo 'yung paniniwala ko 'mahal ako ni Nadine' 'yung iyak mo nang nanalo akong Best Actor," he said.
"You really wanted that for me. You really prayed that for me and that's so generous of you. Ang laki-laki ng puso mo. Sabi niya, 'wala akong pake kung hindi ako manalo, gusto kong makitang manalo ka. At hindi ako papayag kapag hindi ka manalo, magre-react ako,' sabi ni Nadine. She went there to support me, to applaud me, to root for me. Thank you very much, I love you forever and ever. Amen," Vice said.
"Sa inyong lahat, lahat kayo ay may bahagi sa pelikulang ito at lahat po nang bahagi natin na pinagsama-sama ang produkto nito ay isang napakamatagumpay na pelikula. This is super extra special. Number 1, Best Actor, Best Child Actor, 3rd Best Piciture. This is a very successful movie," he added.
Lustre also expressed her happiness and gratitude for the film's success. "Ang daming magandang nangyari sa pelikulang ito. Ang daming magandang nangyari sa pelikulang ito. So gusto ko lang pong i-congratulate lahat tayo," she said.
For his part, Lana said he is just thankful to everyone from the producers, andwriters to all the cast members.
"We're not here just because we are celebrating the box-office triumph or the awards. We are here mostly because despite everything that's happening were are still telling stories, we're still making movies. Sa panahon ngayon when it's so easy to say no, everybody said yes. That's why we are here. So thank you, everybody, for saying yes," Lana said.
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