Cover Read our review of Jun Lana’s ‘Call Me Mother’ (Photos: Star Cinema; edited by Angela Nicole Guiral)
Read our review of Jun Lana’s ‘Call Me Mother’ (Photos: Star Cinema; edited by Angela Nicole Guiral)
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Forget the usual jokes and slapstick. In ‘Call Me Mother’, Vice Ganda and Nadine Lustre deliver an emotional powerhouse that asks: what does it truly cost to be a mother?
Arriving amid the annual clamour of the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), Call Me Mother departs from the familiar Vice Ganda formula. For over a decade, the festival has relied on the comedian to provide a loud, chaotic mix of pop culture parodies and slapstick. Yet, for this MMFF entry, the production ditches the trend-chasing of previous outings in favour of a narrative that is cohesive and genuinely heart-wrenching. Directed by Jun Lana, the film opens in recognisable territory—from pageant rivalries to performative wit—before steering towards a serious drama invested in the complexities of motherhood.
Vice Ganda, recognised as MMFF’s Best Actor for the season, plays Twinkle, a feared pageant coach who chooses to forgo the limelight to adopt a child. When the biological mother, Mara (Nadine Lustre), returns years later, Twinkle is forced to navigate an impossible choice between possession and sacrifice. The self-aware, sarcastic and funny persona of the It’s Showtime host once again disappears for this film, allowing the veteran comedian to vanish into the role. What are usually tears of laughter turn into tears of raw, overwhelming heartbreak as the audience is forced to witness, head-on, the true definition of being a mother.
Above Vice Ganda, Nadine Lustre and Lucas Andalio in Jun Lana’s ‘Call Me Mother’ (Photo: Star Cinema)
Vice Ganda, Nadine Lustre and Lucas Andalio in Jun Lana’s ‘Call Me Mother’ (Photo: Star Cinema)
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Lustre provides the film’s stabilising force, acting as a brilliant anchor to the story’s high emotional stakes. Her performance resists easy sympathy, allowing frustration and self-interest to surface without apology. She grounds every scene with strength that proves why she remains one of the industry’s most decorated actresses. Together, the pair avoids the typical (fun) chaos of earlier Vice Ganda collaborations; while humour remains, it arises naturally from the situations rather than being forced.
The supporting cast—including John Lapus, Iyah Mina and MC Muah, among many others—adds flavour without overcrowding the plate, allowing the central trio to shine. The chemistry of the entire cast is one for the books.
Above Vice Ganda as Twinke in Jun Lana’s ‘Call Me Mother’ (Photo: Star Cinema)
Above Nadine Lustre as Mara Jun Lana’s ‘Call Me Mother’ (Photo: Star Cinema)
Vice Ganda as Twinke in Jun Lana’s ‘Call Me Mother’ (Photo: Star Cinema)
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The heartbeat of the film, however, lies in the bond between Twinkle and her son, Angelo, played by the remarkable Lucas Andalio. Unlike many child actors who simply recite lines, Andalio listens and reacts with nuanced micro-expressions that make the relationship feel real and authentic. Lana’s direction reflects his seasoned background in cinema, treating the subject of LGBTQ+ adoption with a tenderness and sincerity that avoids turning the situation into a punchline.
Above Vice Ganda, Nadine Lustre and Lucas Andalio in Jun Lana’s ‘Call Me Mother’ (Photo: Star Cinema)
Vice Ganda, Nadine Lustre and Lucas Andalio in Jun Lana’s ‘Call Me Mother’ (Photo: Star Cinema)
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The film reaches its emotional zenith during the confrontation where Twinkle must face the reality of losing Angelo. A heavy sequence involving a social worker and a devastating car ride serves as the film’s heart and soul, portraying the agony of letting go. These scenes are expected but still ultimately shattering, piercing the heart in a way that feels raw and deeply personal. It forces the viewer to ask difficult questions: is motherhood rooted in biology, or is it something far deeper, forged through sacrifice and unconditional choice?
Above Vice Ganda, Nadine Lustre and Lucas Andalio with the cast of Jun Lana’s ‘Call Me Mother’ (Photo: Star Cinema)
Vice Ganda, Nadine Lustre and Lucas Andalio with the cast of Jun Lana’s ‘Call Me Mother’ (Photo: Star Cinema)
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While the film occasionally gestures towards a reassurance it hasn’t quite earned, it succeeds through the tension between its leads and its willingness to recalibrate expectations. Call Me Mother is undoubtedly the most beautiful film in Vice Ganda’s filmography and is undeniable proof of Jun Lana’s fearless direction. It trusts its audience enough to ditch cheap tricks, resulting in a cinematic experience that is both artistically successful and deeply moving. It is a reminder that sometimes, the greatest act of love is the one that breaks your heart.
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Angela Nicole Regis Guiral is the assistant digital editor of Tatler Philippines. She studied journalism and has since written features that look closely at how culture, lifestyle and social impact converge, while occasionally wandering into the worlds of style and travel.
