Jun Lana gets personal on parenting, separation, and “Call Me Mother”

In Call Me Mother, the MMFF 2025 director turns his personal journey of co-parenting and separation into a powerful cinematic manifesto.

“You’re not fit to be a mother because you’re not born to be a mother. You’re not female.”

That’s what veteran filmmaker Jun Robles Lana had to say about what his film, “Call Me Mother,” meant to him as a parent and a member of the queer community.

The film explores the complex themes of parenthood beyond biological ties and the struggle of estranged children in the care of a different parent. For Lana, it’s more personal. 

The “new normal”: co-parenting with Perci Intalan

When asked about his status with ex-partner and director Perci Intalan, Lana says no more second chances.

“We’re still together. We’re best of friends. We’re co-parents to our two children.”

“I appreciate that. He’s a great parent. He’s a great father. And, we’re great partners. We have a business. We’re best of friends. So, that’s what’s more important than being a couple.”

After 18 years as a couple, Lana announced the separation on Dec. 18, 2021, through a Twitter post. Lana and Intalan married in October 2012 in New York City, where same-sex unions are recognized. They adopted and continue to co-parent two sons since 2016, inspiring the story of “Call Me Mother.”

The filmmaker couple co-founded The IdeaFirst Company, the production studio behind “Call Me Mother” and other remarkable films such as “About Us but Not About Us” (2022), “Die Beautiful” (2016), and “Bwakaw” (2012).

“It’s still a long process. We’re okay. And, [here in the Philippines], they don’t recognize us [as married],” Lana shared.

A star-studded MMFF entry

“Call Me Mother,” starring Vice Ganda, Nadine Lustre, Lucas Andalio, Brent Manalo, Mika Salamanca, Klarisse de Guzman, River Joseph, Shuvee Etrata, Esnyr Ranollo, John Lapus, and Iyah Mina, and directed by Jun Robles Lana, in production with ABS-CBN Studios, The IdeaFirst Company, and Viva Films, as distributed by Star Cinema, is an official entry to the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) 2025, now in cinemas nationwide.

 

 

It’s still a long process. We’re okay. And, [here in the Philippines], they don’t recognize us [as married].

Jun Robles Lana

 

 

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