The phenomenal and “unkabogable” host and movie star Vice Ganda spoke with warmth and gratitude on January 6 about his hopes for a third film collaboration with “Call Me Mother” director Jun Robles Lana. He credited Direk Jun as a crucial ally who helped him navigate the intense expectations and pressures of being a box-office star for so many years. In a quick yet engaging interview with ABS-CBN News’ MJ Felipe, Vice also shared his text exchange with his director and a touching voice message from his onscreen son, Lucas Andalio (51st Metro Manila Film Festival Best Child Actor), which brought him to tears.
“300 million! Congratulations!” MJ greeted Vice, sparking a lively reaction from the comedy superstar. While not confirming the exact numbers, Vice playfully hinted, “Sabi nga! Sabi nga niiii…”
Reflecting on his recent successes, the 51st Metro Manila Film Festival Best Actor said, “Masaya na nakakaachieve pa rin tayo ng ganyan. Parang gapang ‘yun. Sa panahon ngayon, parang kailangan i-gapang ‘yun, i-trabaho para maachieve ‘yun. Hindi puwedeng gagawa lang tayo ng pelikula tapos aantayin lang natin. Kailangang trabahuhin natin. Mag-imbita tayo ng mga tao sa sinehan. At na-achieve nga, ang daming nanood, lalo na surprisingly after New Year, mga January 2, ang daming tao sa sinehan.”
MJ, curious about Vice’s relentless work ethic, asked, “Bakit ang sipag mo?” Vice replied, “Itinweet ko nga ‘to kahapon, sabi ko, dahil gipit ang kumpanya at gipit ang industriya na parehong mahal ko, kailangang tulungan ko sila. Kasi naghihingalo eh, ‘di ba? ‘Pag nawala ‘yung dalawang ‘yun, ‘yung kumpanyang pinagtatrabahuhan ko, tsaka industriyang pinabibilangan ko, mawawala din ako, ‘di ba? Kaya kailangan tayong nasa industriya, magtulung-tulungan tayo para mapanumbalik ‘yung sigla nito.”
As they transitioned to discussing deleted scenes revealed by the movie director online, Vice elaborated, “Sobrang dami naming nashoot. Sobrang dami naming eksena. At marami kaming mga magagastos na scenes. ‘Yung Parkour. Alam mo ba, sabi ko nga, nakakaloka ‘yung sequence na ‘yun. Kasi umuwi ako, inabot ako ng alas sais ng umaga. Isang buong araw, hanggang madaling araw shinoot ko. Pagod na pagod ako, tapos nakatay. Kaya nung tinanong ko bakit kailangan siyang katayin, pinagdedebatihan namin ‘yun. Eh syempre, I will always have to trust my team, Direk Jun and his team, and his editor. Masakit man kasi magastos yung Parkour, pero kailangan gawin.”
He continued, “Sabi nila, ‘Wala tayong pera.’ May gastos pala ulit yun. Kasi ang dami namin, comedic scenes, na katay na katay. Kahit nga yung ano eh, I felt a little sad for the PBB housemates, sa Pamilya De Guzman [Klarisse De Guzman, Brent Manalo, Mika Salamanca, Shuvee Etrata, and Esnyr Ranollo]. Ang dami nilang eksenang nakatay.”
Vice also detailed, “Maraming eksena doon na intrusive thoughts, kasama doon ‘yung samurai scene na titigukin ko si Nadine. Ang tagal-tagal din namin shinoot ‘yun, ilang oras ‘yun, dahil parang almost all-star cast ‘yun eh. ‘Yung PBB, yung bata, si Nadine. Ang dami namin. So mahirap siyang i-shoot ‘pag malaki ‘yung cast, pero nakatay din siya. Alam mo ba yung bike scene ni Nadine, the very iconic bike scene ni Nadine, nakatay din ‘yun, pero ipinaglaban ko siya. It almost didn’t make it.”
Vice then shared his surprise at the film’s balance of commercial success and critical acclaim, as pointed out in online comments. He said, “I saw the reviews. It’s overwhelming. Kasi nung ginagawa ko naman ito, s’yempre, mas naiintindihan ni Direk Jun, kasi siya yung director. Nung ginagawa ko ito, I was just doing what I was directed to do. I was just doing what I was asked to do.” Vice said that it never crossed his mind to align what he was doing with what the critics might think or prefer.
MJ asked, “Will there be a third project with Direk Jun Lana?” Vice chuckled and revealed that Jun had confided, “Wala na, tinanggap ko nang nakatali na ako sa’yo.” Overcome with emotion after a heartfelt exchange of messages with Lucas, Vice fondly recalled, “I suddenly remembered why I was emotional.”
Vice shared the sweet voice messages from Lucas that touched his heart: “Congrats, Meme! Happy New Year. I miss youuuu!!!” He lovingly responded, “Happy New Year too, anak,” before Lucas added, “Meme, magkikita pa ba tayo? Namimiss na kita eh!” To which Vice’s heart swelled and he responded, “Siyempre, magkikita tayo, anak. Miss na miss na rin kita.”
With a laugh, Vice noted, “Nasepanx [separation anxiety] na siya.” Lucas had another message, “Huwag mo akong kalimutan ha!” It was this innocent request that brought tears to Vice’s eyes. Reflecting on their connection, the comedy superstar shared, “Kasi tinanong niya rin sa akin yung dati. Sabi niya, ‘Paano pagkatapos ng pelikula?’” He felt it was important to share these messages, smilingly saying, “Shinishare ko talaga yung mga messages, ano? Kasi proud na proud ako dito sa mga messages na ito. At parang malaman niyo rin kung gano’n namin kamahal ang isa’t isa.”
With sincerity, Vice conveyed his gratitude toward Direk Jun, stating, “Sabi ko, ‘Good evening Direk. Namiss kita bigla. Naisip ko parang wala akong pwedeng gawin para lubos akong makapagpasalamat sa’yo. Dinugtungan mo ng buhay ang karera ko sa pelikula. Labis-labis akong napasasalamat ko sa’yo. Pinaningning ako ng puso at husay mo. Mamahalin kita habang buhay. Sabi ko, sana araw-araw masarap ang ulam mo, masaya ang paligid mo, mapuno ka ng pagpamahal. Sana hindi mamurder ang ingrown mo, never kang maconstipate at magtae. Dumating nang maaga ang order mo at never tumabang ang softdrinks na iniinom mo. I love you.’”
In response, Direk Jun expressed his own tearful gratitude. Vice shared the director’s heartfelt response: “Naiyak naman ako dito. Salamat, Meme. Gusto ko pang makita kung paano mo babasagin lahat ng expectations sa’yo, lalo na sa pellikula. At susundan ka pa rin ng mga tao, papasayahin mo pa rin sila pero sa mga paraang laging sinusorpresa mo sila. Love you, love you, love you, love you.”
Vice elaborated on the impact of their partnership on his life and career, emphasizing, “Kasi he [Direk Jun] really helped me. I have been overwhelmed and pressured by expectations. Nilunod niya ako for the longest time and I needed someone like Direk Jun Lana to save me and help me from drowning.” This must mean so much more now after Vice received his Best Actor award.
Call Me Mother is still showing in cinemas nationwide.
