Actor Roderick Paulate has openly shared his disappointment after the film ‘In His Mother’s Eyes’ failed to secure a spot in the 2023 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF).
Despite this setback, the movie, starring Paulate alongside the Diamond Star Maricel Soriano and Kapamilya actor-singer LA Santos, is scheduled to premiere in theaters nationwide starting November 29.
During the grand media conference held on November 16, Paulate candidly expressed his sentiments, stating, “Nalungkot ako because naka-aim kasi raw talaga yung movie para sa MMFF. Kaya lang, ganu’n talaga ang buhay, e. May natatanggap, merong hindi. May nananalo, may natatalo. So, ang akin sana nakapasok pero kung hindi, may ibang plano ang Diyos sa amin.”
He added, “Pwedeng blessing-in-disguise, di ba, itong showing date na napili namin sa 29, e, mas makatulong at mas maraming audience. Ang akin lang naman, e, basta nandiyan yung tao. Sana, bumalik na sila, manood na ng mga pelikula. Hindi lang naman yung pelikula namin. Lahat ng pelikulang Pilipino, e, dapat magtulungan tayo, hanggang sa MMFF. Sana, yung 10 pelikulang yun ay maging successful at panoorin lahat ng mga mamamayan.”
Paulate emphasized his love not only for being an actor but also for the Filipino film industry. “Kasi, bukod sa pagiging artista, hindi lang po yun ang mahal ko. Mahal ko po ang industriyang ito, mahal ko ang pelikulang Pilipino. E, wala pong ibang tutulong sa amin kundi kayo rin po, kaya sana ibalik ninyo ang pagmamahal nyo at suporta sa lahat ng pelikula. Kaya lang, simulan niyo po sa November 29,” he urged.
Expressing gratitude to Director Joey Reyes, who supported the movie, Paulate said, “Nagpapasalamat nga ako kay Direk Joey Reyes. Kasi, pino-promote niya rin ito at siya yung unang nag-messenger sa akin na, ‘I like this movie, I love this movie at susuportahan ko to, panonoorin ko to.’ At binanggit na nga niya.”
In a surprising move, Director Joey Reyes posted on Facebook, encouraging Filipinos to watch ‘In His Mother’s Eyes’ even if it competes at the box office with ‘Shake, Rattle & Roll Extreme.’ Reyes, the creative consultant of Regal Entertainment, which produces the horror trilogy ‘Shake, Rattle & Roll Extreme,’ was also featured in the MMFF 2023 lineup.
When asked if he was afraid of going head-to-head with ‘Shake, Rattle & Roll Extreme,’ Paulate confidently stated, “Hindi ako natatakot in the sense that iba kasi yung istorya namin. Horror sila, kami family story. So, pampamilya po ito. Kaya nga ang maisa-suggest ko sa inyo, kung gusto niyo ng kumbaga sa putahe, di ba? E, umiyak muna kayo, tapos para mabalik kayo sa naturalesa ninyo, takutin n’yo yung sarili ninyo! Manood naman kayo ng Shake, Rattle & Roll,” Paulate amusingly advised.
Apart from Maricel and LA Santos, the cast of ‘In His Mother’s Eyes’ includes Maila Gumila, Ogie Diaz, Ruby Ruiz, Elyson de Dios, Vivoree, Reign Parani, Rochelle Pangilinan, Inah Evans, and Bong Gonzales, under the direction of FM Reyes.
