By Maridol Ranoa-Bismark
The average Filipino family usually has a breadwinner. This hero may not make it to history books, but he/she is undisputed captain of the ship.
As the goose that lays the golden egg, the breadwinner holds the key to the family’s survival.
Director Jun Robles Lana made this reality the center of his new film, the Metro Manila Filmfest (MMFF) entry And the Breadwinner Is … In so doing, he created a family drama that resonates with Juan de la Cruz, he with an OFW sweating it out in a faraway land, to send a sibling to school, pay a grandparent’s hospital bills, shoulder the expenses of building a house, etc.
“The story is made from a breadwinner’s (played by Vice Ganda) point of view,” Lana said in a media conference at Gateway Mall. “It resonates with a lot of Filipinos because (the breadwinner) is part of our culture.”
The award-winning director drew inspiration from the actor-host-comedian’s real life story.
“We started with experiences close to Vice’s heart. The plight of the Filipino breadwinner is something that is universal. Vice experiences it, our writers experience it, I experience it — and I think so many people, whatever their social status, know about this experience. So we developed the story from there and we were surprised how many true to life anecdotes were suggested by Vice, myself and the writers — both funny and dramatic.”
Vice Ganda’s role is a far cry from his usual comedic characters. This time, the comedian sheds tears as his character sees her dreams crumble when she discovers that all her hard work as an OFW in Taiwan were in vain. Instead of going home to a spanking new house, a dilapidated structure greets her instead.
Vice admits crying so hard in front of the camera for the first time. He explains that a lot of emotions surface for the role.
Co-star Eugene Domingo, who plays Bambi’s older sister, knows being a breadwinner has advantages and disadvantages.
She comments, “Sana breadwinner ang lahat ng (miyembro) ng pamilya. Baka may dapat baguhin (I hope all members of the family are breadwinners. Perhaps it’s time to change.”
The movie marks Vice and Eugene’s reunion movie after over 10 years.
Vice underwent an acting workshop, knowing that Eugene and his other co-stars, like Joel Torre and Gladys Reyes, have acting awards to their name.
Drama, he admits is a new, challenging genre for him. And he thanks for co-stars for giving him confidence in playing Bambi.
And the Breadwinner Is also stars Jhong Hilario, Malou de Guzman, Maris Rascal and others. It opens Dec. 25 in cinemas nationwide.
The other official entries are Topakk (Arjo Atayde and Julia Montes) Uninvited (Vilma Santos and Aga Muhlach), My Future You (Francine Diaz and Seth Fedelin), Hold Me Close (Julia Barretto and Carlo Aquino), Strange Frequencies: Haunted Hospital (Enrique Gil and Jane de Leon), Himala: Isang Musikal (Aicelle Santos and David Ezra), Green Bones (Dennis Trillo and Ruru Madrid), Espantaho (Lorna Tolentino and Judy Ann Santos) and The Kingdom (Piolo Pascual and Vic Sotto)
The MMFF is now on its 50th year.
