My Househusband tailor-made for Ryan & Juday

Did you know that Ryan Agoncillo is an expert in house work and the only thing that he can’t and won’t do is magwalis? Ryan reasoned out, “Hindi ko kasi maintindihan yung walis, everytime na magwawalis ka, may natitira pa.” He may not be a househusband, but Ryan is no stranger to housework. “My dad is a house husband. I was raised in an environment where the mommy works and dad stays home.” But Ryan emphasized though that his dad does business from home.

Ryan and Judy Ann Santos have an entry to the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) billed My Househusband: Ikaw Na directed by Joey Reyes. It is the tale of a couple in an unconventional set up: the man stays in the house and takes care of the kids while the woman works.

For Ryan, the role is very close to home. “Yung mga kuya ko din at ibang kaibigan ko,” he said. What if he becomes a househusband? Would it affect his manliness? “There is no issue with me if I wear the apron in the house. I don’t have that chauvinistic view about marriage.” And if he becomes one, his confident wife Juday will treat him fairly well. “Hindi naman niya siguro ako aapihin.”

Juday who plays Mia in the movie said that she has not raised her voice on Ryan. And while shooting the movie, Juday could not bear to scream at Ryan. “Hindi ko magawa kasi di ko naman sinisigawan si Ryan sa toong buhay. Yan ay di ko kayang gawin.”

My Househusband: Ikaw Na is the first movie of Juday and Ryan after getting married. They starred together in the hit movies Kasal, Kasali, Kasalo (KKK) and Sakal, Sakali, Saklolo (SSS). Director Joey Reyes clarified though that My Househusband: Ikaw Na is not a continuation of KKK and SSS, movies they did prior to their marriage. Though their work style remains the same, the only thing that has changed is that almost always, they go home together after the shoot. And reaching home, they both check on their kids, Ryan on Yohan, Juday on Lucho and vice versa.

Ryan and Juday are no stranger to love quarrels (LQs). “Nakakatakot ang dalawang yan ’pag nag-away. Walang kibuan. Afraid,” revealed Joey. Sometimes they would not talk for four days. And Juday makes use of the time as her “me time.” She goes to the spa, she has her hair done and relaxes. The system works for them because it gives them space, to think things over and then talk.

Juday explained that jealousy has never been an issue with her. She knows Ryan’s female friends. Ryan is also one person who can be friends with an ex-girlfriend. “Wala pa ako na-encounter na hinaluan ko ng malisya.” She also said that it is imperative for women to always look good and pretty to their husbands. “mag-effort ka na magpaganda para hindi tumingin ang husband mo sa iba.”

My Househusband: Ikaw Na may be tailor-made for Juday and Ryan but direk Joey said that each one of us including our friends will be able to relate or find commonalities to the characters Juday and Ryan portray. “Makikita niyo ang sarili niyo o isa sa mga kaibigan niyo sa pelikulang ito. Each of the filmfest entry has its own slant and for us we offer nothing fantastic but reality and that’s our edge.”

Joey’s lead actors were just perfect for that reality edge. And with them as actors, it was easy for him to make this film which has no “ka-peke-an.” “They must be themselves because this film is about what’s really happening now.”

Joey’s relationship with his actors goes beyond the director-actor set up. Theirs is one of true friendship. They have worked before and are neighbors as well. Joey said that off-cam Juday and Ryan are not showbiz at all. And he respects them.

With this movie, Joey said that the pressure is heavier on Ryan than on Juday. He is the title role. “But he is exceeding expectations. I have seen Ryan from the time he was single and I know that he has grown more responsible. Like Juday he is bringing so much of himself to this film and movie goers will sense that.”