Being one of the big names in this year's Metro Manila Film Festival, Unkabogable Star Vice Ganda shared the joy of working with a large cast for Call Me Mother.
During their recent media conference, he said that a Christmas comedy naturally calls for a lively, full cast, reflecting the dynamics of a typical Filipino household.
“Kapag comedy, mas masaya pag marami especially if yung comedy movie sa Pasko ginagawa atsaka Christmas movie ito and family movie siya so ang hirap pangatawanan yung family movie na kaunti lang kayo,” Vice said.
“Yung mga karakter sa isang pangkaraniwang bahay na Pilipino, ayon yung laging dindepict matin. Mas masaya kapag marami kang kasama,” he added.
Vice also emphasized how vital his co-stars are to his success even in his previous works.
“Ang laking tulong ng mga nakakasama. Kahit yung mga past movies ko, I could not have done those movies successfully kung ako lang mag-isa, kung wala akong katuwang na mga mahuhusay din na kasama ko sa pelikula,” he said.
The movie features a star-studded ensemble including Nadine Lustre, Lucas Andalio, Mika Salamanca, Brent Manalo, Klarisse De Guzman, Shuvee Etrata, River Joseph, Esnyr Ranollo, MC Muah, Iyah Mina, John Lapus, Carmi Martin, and Chanda Romero. It follows Vice’s successful MMFF comeback last year with And The Breadwinner Is…, also directed by Jun Lana.
Vice noted how Direk Jun made sure that every cast member had their special moments in the film.
“Ayon yung husay ni Direk Jun na kahit ang laking cast, nabibigyan niya ng ganap ang bawat isa. Nagningning silang lahat.” he said.
Speaking of director Jun, Vice revealed that he already talked with the filmmaker to do another project with him as he takes on more dramatic roles.
“Hindi pa natatapos ang And The Breadwinner Is…, nagmamakaawa na ako sa kaniya na huwag niya akong pabayaan, samahan mo ulit ako susunod,” Vice said.
Director Jun expressed that his creative partnership with Vice Ganda has become a deeply meaningful one.
“Parang malinaw na sa akin na ang buhay ko ay nakatali na rin kay Meme bilang isang direktor,” he joked. “I looked forward to the next project kaya mas matagal yung proseso, mas matagal binusisisi and gusto namin na higitan yung sa And The Breadwinner Is….”
He also praised Vice’s growth as an actor. “Everybody in the production, when we were doing it, everybody says that this is the best performance yet of Meme. The first few days pa lang talaga sinabi ko na kay Meme na mas confident siya ngayon.”
Direk Jun also stated how Vice got into his character as Mother Twinkle.
“Nararamdaman ko na mas confident siya. Ang difference kasi dito na compared sa Breadwinner ay mas kita yung vulnerability ng character kasi maraming moments na he is vulnerable and alone. Ayun yung mga moments na kailangan namin pagusapan yung character and kapag hinughugot namin yung character nakikita ko kung gaano kabigat yung character. Mas mabigat ito, mas masaya ito kaysa sa Breadwinner,” he added.
Call Me Mother, along with other entries of the 51st Metro Manila Film Festival is set to be exclusively released in Philippine cinemas on Christmas Day, December 25.