It was a full circle moment for award-winning actress Nadine Lustre to finally work again with It’s Showtime host Vice Ganda on the Metro Manila Film Festival entry Call Me Mother directed by Jun Lana.
During the film’s grand media day, Nadine shared that it was one of the main reasons that immediately made her say "yes" to the project even before she knew what role she’d be playing.
“Hindi pa sinasabi sa akin kung ano ang role ko, ang sabi sa akin ‘Nak, gusto nila magpitch ng role sa iyo kasama mo si Ate Vice,’ sabi ko, ‘Game po!’ Hindi pa sinabi yung role, so a few days later na nagbigay pa lang ng hint na yung mother yung role, napaisip ako pero mas nanaig sa akin na gusto ko makatrabaho si Ate Vice,” Nadine recalled.
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Having previously worked with Vice on Petrang Kabayo (2010) and Beauty and the Bestie (2015), Nadine said the chance to collaborate again was a major factor in her decision.
“Mayroon kasi na baka maisip kasi na ma-typecast ako and actually I don’t think naman. Hindi ko na inisip iyon and sabi ko na lang na ‘Game po’ kasi gusto ko talaga makawork ulit si Ate Vice… Hindi ako papayag na hindi ko makakasama (ulit) si Ate Vice,” she shared, noting on how the role of a mom made her to hesitate a little.
Nadine also discussed how she prepared for portraying a mother, drawing inspiration from friends who became parents early and from her own mother, who gave birth to her at 21.
“Ang dami kong tinanong na friends ko na I guess kaedad ko na naging nanay sa maagang edad, to be a mother at that age while still growing,” Nadine said. “Ako kasi 32 na ako and I feel like I’m not done growing up lalo na yung mga 20s ko na ang dami ko pang nadiskubre sa sarili ko na if feeling ko na katulad nila na magiging nanay na rin ako, I don’t think matutunan ko iyon sa sarili ko.”
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She went on: “Yung mom ko rin ipinanganak niya ako noong 21 siya so parang ngayon iniimagine ko kung ano pinagdaanan niya noong 20s din siya and hindi talaga madali iyon. For her to actually give up a lot for me, sobrang saludo talaga sa moms. Kung ngayon, tatanungin niyo ako ngayon, hindi ko talaga kaya iyon.”
Meanwhile, Vice described his working dynamic with Nadine as both inspiring and intimidating, a decade since their last work together.
“Positive kasi kapag gumagawa ng dramatic scenes hindi siya ang strength ko, hindi siya ang comfort ko and bago pa siya sa akin so kapag nagkaroon ako ng katuwang sa eksena na katulad ni Nadine na mahusay, malaking tulong iyon sa akin,” Vice said.
Vice also commended Nadine and other drama actors such as Eugene Domingo and Gladys Reyes as he portrays a serious role.
“Ayon yung napansin ko sa kanila, yung magagaling na artista na wala pa silang ginagawa, titingnan ka pa lang o hahawakan ka pa lang mayroon ka na nararamdaman na kahit ang tagal mo maginternalize wala kang mahugot pero kapag kaharap mo sila biglang may lumalabas sa iyo,” Vice stated.
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Vice also noted the pressure of acting alongside an award-winning actress, adding that Nadine’s presence brought him confidence.
“Nakakapressure kasi alam mo na magaling siya. Nakakapressure kasi ang dami niyang Best Actress awards and paano ito kasi Ate niya ako on and off cam kaya nakakahiya… kaya kailangan ko iprove sa kaniya na kaya kong sumabay. Pero, kapag magakakeksena na kami wala na. Naglalaho na yung agam-agam ko kasi iba yung suporta niya sa akin. Aware man siya o hindi, may malaking positibong epekto sa akin yung kaeksena ko siya,” he stated.
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Call Me Mother features a star-studded ensemble including 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. The film is set to hit Philippine cinemas this Christmas Day, December 25, as part of MMFF 2025.
“We made sure na tatawa and makukurot ang puso niyo,” Vice promised. “This is a comedy with a big heart.”