Maria Villanueva Brown is making her mark as a first-time movie producer, diving into the world of filmmaking with her new production company, StarMaker Entertainment Production. Her debut project, “Unlock,” has assembled an impressive cast, including well-known names like Rafael Rosell, Beverly Salviejo, Melissa Mendez, Glenda Garcia, Sheila Delgado, Julio Diaz, Tanya Gomez, Christian Ramirez, Pinky Amador, Jeff Francisco, Myrna Castillo, and Lheng Divinagracia Gonzales and is directed by Neal “Buboy” Tan.
What makes Maria’s journey even more special is her inspiration—her daughter, Nicz Villanueva. Nicz is already gaining traction in modeling and is now stepping into acting. In Unlock, she plays the role of Brenda, and several other family members also joined the cast, including Erica Villanueva as Thelma, Kate Villanueva as Diane, Justine Villanueva as Toni, Zach Gabriel Gumawid as Eboy, and Friciah Allaine Lopez as Cathy.
“Ang saya ko po talaga dahil kasama ang mga anak at apo ko sa movie. I’m so proud of them, and it’s fulfilling to see them grow as artists,” Maria says with a smile.
Maria’s entry into the film industry was a natural progression driven by her desire to support Nicz. “When Nicz got her role, I met so many talented people behind the scenes, and I wanted to be part of that. Being close to my daughter and watching her shine as an actress inspired me to get involved,” she explains. This close-knit family bond has fueled her passion for filmmaking.
StarMaker Entertainment Production aims to discover and nurture new talent. “My long-term goals for StarMaker are as the name suggests: to find, train, and cast aspiring talent in major projects like movies, TV shows, commercials, and online content,” Maria shares.
Like many first-time producers, Maria faced some serious hurdles while working on Unlock. “My biggest challenge was financial; it takes a lot of money to produce a movie,” she admits. But with the unwavering support of her co-founders, Sheila May Alayon and Marie Villanueva, along with her supportive husband, Maria navigated these obstacles to bring her vision to life.
Getting into the entertainment industry as a newbie can be overwhelming, but Maria is grateful for her production team, especially Director Neal “Buboy” Tan and Line Producer Franco Espena Nero. “Si Direk Buboy po sobrang napalagay na po ang loob namin sa kanya. Sobrang bait at cool ka trabaho,” she shares. “Si Ma’am Sheila po sobrang approachable at lagi niyang iniisip kung paano niya kami matutulungan. Pero dahil nandyan si Sir Franco, unti-unti naming natututunan ang mga bagay-bagay sa industriya.”
Among the current stars in the industry, Maria dreams of collaborating with Bea Alonzo. “It’s always been a dream of mine to work with Ms. Bea Alonzo. I admire her talent and strength of character, especially in tough times.”
As a mom, Maria couldn’t be prouder of Nicz’s achievements. “I didn’t really allow Nicz to become a celebrity, but it was impossible to hold her back. She’s always been a star, winning beauty pageants and being our barangay muse. She’s a star waiting to be recognized.”
Her advice for Nicz? “Stay humble and remember where you came from. My husband and I will support her in every way we can. We won’t stand in the way of her dreams.”
“Unlock” tackles themes that resonate with today’s audience, especially the impact of technology on relationships. “I chose to produce Unlock because the story reflects the world my kids are growing up in. It’s easy to get distracted by technology nowadays. In this movie, they can learn valuable lessons and be more grateful for what they have,” Maria explains.
Producing her first movie has been both a challenging and rewarding experience for Maria. “Sobrang saya po namin from the first day of the shoot hanggang matapos kami. Para po kaming nakabuo ng isang pamilya,” she reflects.
Maria’s journey as a movie producer is just starting, and she has big plans for the future. “Every parent needs to encourage their kids and support them in their endeavors, whatever they may be,” she advises, blending her roles as both a producer and a mother. With her commitment to discovering new talent and her dedication to her family, Maria Villanueva Brown is on the path to leaving a significant mark on the Philippine entertainment industry through StarMaker Entertainment Production.
Her upcoming projects are generating buzz, and with her family by her side, Maria is ready to tackle more challenges in film production.