As one of the brightest stars headlining this year’s Metro Manila Film Festival, the Unkabogable Star Vice Ganda is stepping into the holiday season with renewed energy, deeper artistic purpose, and a cast he proudly calls his “biggest gift” in Call Me Mother.
In a recent media conference, Vice reflected on the vibrant spirit that comes with making a Christmas comedy — a genre that thrives on warmth, chaos, and a lovingly overcrowded cast of characters.
“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,” he shared, emphasizing the Filipino household dynamic that the film mirrors.
For him, portraying an authentic, lively family means embracing a bustling ensemble. “Yung mga karakter sa isang pangkaraniwang bahay na Pilipino, ayon yung laging dindepict natin. Mas masaya kapag marami kang kasama,” he added.
A Star-Studded Cast That Lights Up the Story
Vice highlighted how crucial his co-stars are to the rhythm and impact of his films — a sentiment he has carried through every project.
“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 film’s sprawling ensemble features 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 — a powerhouse lineup that brings varied comedic flavors and emotional textures to the story.
Following his triumphant MMFF comeback last year with And The Breadwinner Is…, Vice reunites with acclaimed director Jun Lana, whose meticulous eye for character ensures every artist shines.
“Ayon yung husay ni Direk Jun na kahit ang laking cast, nabibigyan niya ng ganap ang bawat isa. Nagningning silang lahat,” Vice said with pride.
A Creative Partnership That Keeps Evolving
Beyond the laughter, Call Me Mother marks a continued deepening of Vice and Direk Jun’s artistic synergy — one that now treads into more dramatic territory.
Vice revealed that even before they finished And The Breadwinner Is…, he had already asked Lana for their next collaboration.
“Hindi pa natatapos ang And The Breadwinner Is…, nagmamakaawa na ako sa kaniya na huwag niya akong pabayaan, samahan mo ulit ako susunod,” he shared, half-joking, half-pleading.
Director Jun echoed the sentiment, speaking fondly — and humorously — of their connection.
“Parang malinaw na sa akin na ang buhay ko ay nakatali na rin kay Meme bilang isang direktor,” he teased.
He added that they both want their next work to outdo everything they have done before: “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….”
Vice Ganda’s Best Performance Yet?
For Lana, Call Me Mother captures Vice at his most confident and most emotionally exposed.
“Everybody in the production, when we were doing it, everybody says that this is the best performance yet of Meme,” he revealed. “The first few days pa lang talaga sinabi ko na kay Meme na mas confident siya ngayon.”
The heart of this transformation lies in Vice’s portrayal of Mother Twinkle — a character layered with humor, heartache, and private battles.
“Nararamdaman ko na mas confident siya,” Lana explained. “Ang difference kasi dito na compared sa Breadwinner ay mas kita yung vulnerability ng character… maraming moments na he is vulnerable and alone.”
Those emotional depths required long conversations between director and actor — a process Lana described as revealing just how “mabigat” and meaningful this new role is for Vice.
“Mas mabigat ito, mas masaya ito kaysa sa Breadwinner,” he concluded.
MMFF 2025 Awaits
Call Me Mother is set to bring laughter, warmth, and unexpected emotional punches to theaters this Christmas. Vice Ganda, backed by a formidable ensemble and a director who knows exactly how to bring out his brilliance, is poised to deliver yet another holiday blockbuster — and perhaps one of the most defining performances of his career.
The film hits Philippine cinemas exclusively on December 25 as part of the 51st Metro Manila Film Festival.