My 2 Mommies, which mainly stars Paolo Ballesteros, Solenn Heussaff, and Maricel Soriano is a touching movie that celebrates motherhood and aims to show that more than the gender, being a mother is all about a parent's unconditional love for to the child.
My 2 Mommies tells the story of Manu, a discreet gay guy, with a successful career but is not out to his family.
Furthermore, he is in a same-sex relationship that he also keeps under the radar.
But his life takes a pivotal turn when Monique, a woman from Manu’s his past, shows up one day and admits to him that they have a seven-year-old son.
Is Manu prepared to reveal his kid that his dad is also a “mommy” and confess his true identity?
Is Manu ready for the responsibilities of parenthood and raise his son in an unconventional way?
“Ang gusto naming ipakita is a different kind of mother. Kasi ang alam natin pag Mother's Day, the usual na nasa card na puro mama.
“Tama naman ang nasa movie, hindi lang naman babae ang nanay, di ba?”
The actor pointed out that motherhood is not bound by biological attachment, and cited some women who assumed the “mother roles” to children even if they are not the ones who gave birth to them.
“Merong ibang klaseng nanay, yung iba nawala yung nanay at ang naging nanay, yung kapatid, so it's a different kind of mother,” he explained.
Solenn described the movie as highly relatable to many people these days.
She explained that people's views on different things, such as sexual orientation, have changed in the last couple of years.
“In a way, people are accepting things more. Pati yung LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) community is strong na also.
She continued, “Madaming bansa na ang nag-agree ng gay marriage, the world is opening up little by little, so relatable talaga ang movie.”
People are adapting to change, she explained.
Solenn further mentioned that the society nowadays is more accepting to unconventional situations of people, such as single moms, separated couples, and gay couples.
“Nowadays in the last five years, very open na ang mga tao, so it's really modern.”
Eric Quizon, who directed the film, said that the premise of the movie has been existing for a long time but it is only now that people are warming up to the idea.
“There are a lot of parents na ganyan. It's just that because of how Filipinos view it. Syempre, religion pa rin (may malakas na influence).
“But ang maganda kasi now, people have become more socially accepting, yung social awareness mas okay na,” he pointed out.
“They dont mind, they've been open about their sexuality as compared to before. Mas open na sila ngayon.
“Parents who come from LGBT groups mas relaxed na sila of handling situations like this, and kahit sa mga bata, mas open na ang understanding nila.”
Paolo also admitted that he feels the pressure to do good in this movie, especially that his 2016 blockbuster hit movie, Die Beautiful, earned him acting awards here and abroad.
Paolo’s role as Trisha Echevarria, gave him the Best Actor award in the 2016 Tokyo International Film Festival and 42nd Metro Manila Film Festival. He also bagged the Film Ambassador Award by the Film Development Council of the Philippines.
“Hanggang ngayon, two years ago, tumutuka pa sa mga awards giving bodies ang Die Beautiful. Iba rin kasi yung naging impact ng Die Beautiful. I guess pag may ganong klaseng story ng pelikula, tatatak talaga siya.”
Nevertheless, those recognitions also challenge Paolo to make equally compelling performances in his other projects, just like in My 2 Mommies.
“Lahat ng ginagawa ko gusto ko yung tsina-challenge ko yung sarili ko, so I make sure na 100 percent yung binibigay ko.”
As for his leading lady in his latest movie, Paolo has nothing but good words for Solenn.
This is their first collaboration in an movie, and Solenn is Paolo’s personal choice for the project.
He says about Filipino-French actress, “Everybody look up to her. I really like her personality, at napakatalented nya. Maganda na, brainy pa, plus na yung fit and sexy! Gusto kong maging s'ya, at gusto ko din si Nico" he giggles.
He even recounted that Solenn would always come early to the studio of Eat Bulaga! every time she would have a production number.
“Laging nauuna sa [Eat] Bulaga! sa studio kasi siya gagawa ng make up niya.”
He continued, “Kahit dito gano’n din siya, maaga. Although minsan galing sa iba pang shooting, pagdating dito, hindi papetiks-petiks. Diretso make-up na.
“Sa shoot pa namin dire-diretso, walang pahinga.
“Very nice, kahit ano’ng ipagawa sa kanya, okay!”
My 2 Mommies top-billed by Paolo Ballesteros, Solenn Heussaff and Maricel Soriano opens in cinemas on May 9. It also stars Joem Bascon, Diane Medina, Marcus Cabais, Debraliz, Mich Liggayu, Billy Ray Gallion and more.
This Regal Entertainment Inc.’s Mother’s Day Presentation is directed by Eric Quizon.
For more updates, follow Regal Entertainment Inc on Facebook, @RegalFilms on Twitter, @RegalFilms50 on IG and Regal Cinema channel on Youtube.
