As part of the ensemble cast of the Metro Manila Film Festival feel-good film Rekonek, actress Carmina Villarroel talked about the advantages and disadvantages of working with her husband Zoren Legaspi and their twins, Mavy and Cassy, as they play the role of the Crowders family in their first Christmas-themed movie. The Legaspi family are also currently working together in a teleserye this year.
“Madaling mahirap. Bakit ko masasabing madaling mahirap? Madali kasi we’re very comfortable with each other. Mahirap kasi minsan nahihirapan na akong i-separate ‘yung character as kay Carmina tapos meron pa kaming show, so ‘yung role ko pa dun. So parang nahihirapan na ako — sino nga ba ako? Tapos simultaneous pa namin ginagawa: nag-te-taping kami for Hating Kapatid, nag-su-shoot kami for this, for Rekonek. Eh as a family din kami dun. So parang minsan kailangan ko mag ‘wait, wait, wait, nasaan tayo ngayon? Anong role ko ngayon? Ano nga ba ako?’ So it’s not naman that confusing, pero kinda. Pero I like also the challenge,” she shared.
The 50-year-old actress shared that, despite the challenges, she still considers herself and her family to be lucky to get the chance to be together in the same industry with a shared passion for their craft. “Gusto ko kasi ‘yung china-challenge ko ‘yung sarili ko. I don’t want to be complacent. So madaling mahirap. And wala akong complaints whatsoever kasi I’m very thankful and grateful dahil kahit nasa trabaho ako, kasama ko pa rin ang pamilya ko. Kasi ang hirap sa mga working moms ‘di ba, or kahit sa mga dads, na kailangan umalis ng bahay to work, malayo sa pamilya. Dito, may bonus factor na kasi hindi ko na kailangan mag-report dun sa gc namin na kumbaga nasa work na ako, nasa ganito. Kasi nga magkakasama na kami. So it’s not everyday na nangyayari na ganito. So we’re very lucky, I must say. We’re very lucky and thankful dahil nabigyan kami ng ganitong opportunity.”
With the official release of Rekonek’s trailer during the presscon for the film last December 1, Carmina shared her honest reaction to seeing it for the first time. Rekonek tells the story from the points of view of different people who experience a world without internet ten days before Christmas.
“Talagang in time for Christmas, mararamdaman mo talaga ‘yung spirit of Christmas when you watch the trailer. And I think kami lang ata ‘yung entry sa Metro Manila Film Fest na talagang inaano ‘yung theme ng Pasko. And alam naman natin na kahit anong mangyari, talagang gagawin natin para makapiling ‘yung mga mahal natin sa buhay, ‘yung pamilya natin, just in time for Christmas. And nakakatuwa lang, kasi ano nga ba ang gagawin natin kapag nawalan na tayo ng internet? Kasi naging parte na ‘yan ng buhay natin at ng trabaho natin, so nakakatuwa, nakaka-amaze, and very thankful din ako na naging part ako dito sa movie na ito,” she said.
Watch Carmina Villarroel and the rest of the Legaspi family in the 2025 MMFF entry Rekonek which opens in cinemas nationwide starting December 25. The film also stars Gerald Anderson, Bela Padilla, Andrea Brillantes, Charlie Dizon, Kokoy de Santos, Angel Guardian, Alexa Miro, Kelvin Miranda, Vance Larena, Zoren Legaspi, Cassy Legaspi, Mavy Legaspi, and Gloria Diaz. Directed by Jade Castro and produced by Reality MM Studios & The Th3rd Floor Studios.