Why Nadine’s emotional depth scares even Vice, and how their dynamic shaped “Call Me Mother.”
The movie “Call Me Mother,” the reunion project of Vice Ganda and Nadine Lustre, instantly gained massive buzz after its official trailer earned over 20 million views within 24 hours across social media platforms following its release on December 2.
The hashtag #CallMeMotherFullTrailer also dominated online conversations as the top nationwide trending topic on the same day.
“Call Me Mother,” a comedy-drama that celebrates a mother’s unconditional love, is an official entry to the 51st Metro Manila Film Festival and opens in cinemas on December 25.
During a recent media conference, Nadine shared how she prepared for her role as a young mother, revealing that she immersed herself in real-life stories to give justice to her character.
“Ang dami kong tinanong na friends who are mothers and mga ka-age ko na naging nanay nang maaga. I think kasi for them, being a mother at that age means they’re still growing. Kasi 32 na ako and I feel like I’m still growing—lalo na noong 20s ako, ang dami ko pang nadiscover tungkol sa sarili ko. So feeling ko, kung naging nanay ako noon, I don’t think matutunan ko ’yon sa sarili ko,” Nadine explained.
Vice Ganda, meanwhile, openly praised Nadine’s dedication and talent, admitting that working with such an acclaimed actress brings both comfort and pressure.
“May positive and negative ang maging ka-eksena si Nadine. Positive kasi, siyempre, lalo na kapag dramatic scene… hindi naman ’yon comfort zone ko, hindi ko strength. So kapag nagkaroon ako ng katuwang at ka-eksena na tulad ni Nadine, malaking tulong siya sa akin,” Vice shared.
The Unkabogable Star added that Nadine pushes her to perform better, especially in emotionally charged moments.
“Ang negative naman doon, ’yong pressure kasi alam mong magaling siya tapos ang dami na niyang best actress awards. ’Yung nakakahiya… kasi ate-ate niya ako on and off screen—’yon ang tawag niya sa akin—tapos nakaka-pressure na ma-realize niya na ‘hindi pala magaling itong ate ko.’ Kaya natatakot ako, and kailangan kong i-prove ang sarili ko na kaya kong sumabay sa kanya,” she said.
Directed by award-winning filmmaker Jun Robles Lana, “Call Me Mother” follows the heartfelt journey of two mothers, Twinkle (Vice Ganda) and Mara (Nadine Lustre). Twinkle, a former queen maker, is now a loving queer adoptive parent to Angelo (Lucas Andalio), proving that motherhood is defined by love rather than biology.
Mara, Angelo’s biological mother, is a former teen pageant winner turned high-fashion model who grapples with guilt after abandoning her son to chase her dreams.
Twinkle approaches Mara to finalize the adoption so he can bring Angelo with him to his new job abroad. But Mara agrees to sign the papers on one condition: Twinkle must help her win the country’s biggest beauty pageant.
As Twinkle grows even closer to Angelo, she’s confronted with the question: Can she keep her promise to Mara while fully embracing motherhood in all its forms?
The film also features an ensemble cast including “Pinoy Big Brother Celebrity Collab” housemates Klarisse de Guzman, Mika Salamanca, Brent Manalo, Esnyr Ranollo, River Joseph, and Shuvee Etrata, together with Chanda Romero, Carmi Martin, Ces Quesada, John “Sweet” Lapus, MC Muah, Iyah Mina, Jennifer Sevilla, Robert Ortega, Tanya Gomez, and Divine Tetay.
A joint production of Star Cinema, The IdeaFirst Company, and Viva Films, “Call Me Mother” promises to bring warmth, laughter, and heartfelt moments to families this Christmas.
Ang dami ko pang nadiscover tungkol sa sarili ko. So feeling ko, kung naging nanay ako noon, I don’t think matutunan ko ’yon sa sarili ko.
Nadine Lustre
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