The Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) 2025 entry “Call Me Mother,” starring Vice Ganda and Nadine Lustre, is making a bit of history as the first Asian movie allowed to shoot inside Hong Kong Disneyland, and reportedly only the third film globally ever to receive this privilege.
During the film’s recent grand media launch, Vice Ganda expressed how proud he was to have delivered something unprecedented for an Asian production as he shared how they secured exclusive access to the park.
“Ipinasara (‘yung Disneyland). Nandoon kami, binigyan kami ng time, exclusively for us, then sinabay kami na nandoon ‘yung tao, tapos binigyan kami ulit ng oras para sa amin lang, tapos hanggang sa nagsara siya, nandoon kami. Parang 1 whole day ako (nag-shoot doon) and sila parang 2 days. Nakaka-proud kasi we are the first movie in Asia na pinayagan mag-shoot sa Disneyland and the third in the whole world,” shared the comedian.
The film centers on Twinkle (Vice Ganda), a queer single mother working to legally adopt her son. Their plan to celebrate the adoption with a trip to Disneyland, Hong Kong, takes a twist when Angel’s biological mother, Mara (Lustre), suddenly reappears, threatening to disrupt Twinkle’s hopes of becoming his legal parent.
Directed by award-winning filmmaker Jun Robles Lana, the film is a joint production of Star Cinema, The IdeaFirst Company, and Viva Films.
Aside from the lead actors, the film features “Pinoy Big Brother – Celebrity Collab” former housemates Mika Salamanca, Brent Manalo, Klarisse De Guzman, Shuvee Etrata, Esnyr Ranollo, and River Joseph. It also stars seasoned actors Carmi Martin, Chanda Romero, and John Lapus, among others.
Lustre likewise shared that she accepted the project primarily because she wanted to work again with Vice Ganda. The two previously worked in “Petrang Kabayo,” the actress’ debut film in 2010.
She noted that she drew personal inspiration from friends who became mothers at a young age and from her own mother, who had her at 21, to play her character.
“There’s always that fear of being typecast [when you start taking on motherly roles], of being seen as older. But the story of motherhood felt important,” said Lustre.
Vice Ganda, on the other hand, admitted that dramatic acting isn’t his strongest suit, but Lustre’s presence pushed him to step up.
“Drama isn’t my strength. Sanay ako magpatawa [I’m used to making people laugh]. But when you have someone like Nadine in front of you, you just give in,” he said. (Jessica Ann Evangelista © Philippine Daily Inquirer)
