POKWANG plays the title role in Regal Entertainment’s Mother’s Day special presentation, “Mommy Issues”, written and directed by Jose Javier Reyes.
She co-stars with Sue Ramirez, Jerome Ponce, Ryan Bang and Gloria Diaz. They had a lock in shooting for the whole family in Pampanga last November.
She can totally relate with her role as she is a mother of two daughters in real life.
“Kapag ina ka, ready ka to make kahit anong sacrifice para sa kapakanan ng mga anak mo,” she says.
“Itong movie na ito ay alay namin sa lahat ng mga ina na talagang handang magpakasakit for their children.”
Her eldest daughter, Mae, is now 21 years old while her youngest, Malia, sired by her current partner American actor Lee O’Brian, is 3 years old.
“For Mother’s Day, Mae sent me a message thanking me for raising her all by myself and gusto raw niya, she will also be as me. Siempre, na-touch ang lola nyo.
"Kasi single mom ako, pero kinaya ko talaga, so no regrets. Sabi ko sa kanya, I love her so much I’m willing to give my life for her safety and well being.”
In “Mommy Issues”, Pokwang plays Ella, the daughter of Gloria Diaz. “Huwag nyo nang itanong kung paanong ako ay naging anak ng isang Miss Universe.
"Basta happy akong makatrabaho si Tita Gloria kasi ang pangalan ng namayapa kong ina is also Gloria, kaya feeling ko talaga, siya ang ina ko.
“Tapos ang anak ko naman dito, si Sue Ramirez. Huwag nyo na ring itanong kung paano ko naging anak ang isang tisay na gaya ni Sue.
"Baka nagmana siya sa ama niya, malay natin. Isang paligo lang naman ang lamang niya sa akin at magka-level na kami, di ba?”
Why is the title of the movie “Mommy Issues”?
“Kasi nga, kami ni Sue, pareho may issue with our mommies. Ako kay Ms. Gloria Diaz kasi tutol siya sa boyfriend ko, si Ryan Bang, na Koreanong ubod ng yaman dito.
"Ako naman, tutol sa boyfriend dito ni Sue, played by Jerome Ponce. So, nandun ang conflict ng story, yung mga nanay, ayaw sa lovelife ng mga anak nila.
"Yung character ko rito, si Ella, very controlling sa anak niya. But in real life, hindi naman ako ganun sa anak kong si Mae.”
As a mother, what's her wish for Mother's Day?
"Wish ko matapos na itong pandemic. Naaawa ako sa mga bata kasi lumiit ang mundo nila, lagi na lang nakakulong nasa bahay, bawal lumabas. Para makapagtrabaho na rin kami uli nang maayos nang hindi laging sinusundot ang ilong mo sa swab tests. Andami ko na ngang sundot, both nostrils, hindi na virgin!"
How is it working with Ryan Bang as her leading man?
“Ay naku po, si Ryan, riot on cam and off cam. Talagang nakakatawa kasi kahit nag-cut na si Direk Joey Reyes, tuloy pa rin ang acting niya.
"At very thoughtful siya sa shooting. Pinapakain kami ng Korean food. Ang sarap ng kimchi niya.”
“Mommy Issues” will be shown online on May 7 as a special Mother’s Day presentation. It will make you laugh, it will make you cry, and it will make you realize how important mothers are in our lives.
