Alden Richards shares how filming Family of Two with Sharon Cuneta evoked memories of late mom

Alden Richards opened up about his personal connection to his upcoming Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) entry, Family of Two (A Mother and Son Story), where he shares the screen with Sharon Cuneta.

Directed by Nuel Naval and written by Mel Mendoza del Rosario under Cineko Productions, the film holds a special place in the Kapuso star’s heart because it became a chance for him to revisit cherished memories with his late mother. The mother-and-son tale resonated deeply with the 31-year-old, who lost his mom Rosario to pneumonia 15 years ago.

“This film is really close to my heart. It’s a mother-and-son story. I offer it to her, this film. With Mama, Ms. Sharon, I was able to relive those moments with my mom,” Alden expressed during the premiere on Sunday night at Trinoma.

Family of Two, from the same tandem behind last year’s award-winning MMFF entry Family Matters, is expected to tug at heartstrings as it explores the unique bond between a single mother (Sharon) and her only son (Alden).

In Family of Two, Alden’s character Mateo finds love and that becomes a major turning point in the mother-and-son storyline. In real life, the actor admits that if and when he decides to settle down, he wants to lie low from showbiz.

The film, nevertheless, offers a broader message about the importance of family. Alden hopes that the audience, particularly those who grew up in single-parent households, will relate to the heartwarming plot.

During filming, Alden also found a mother figure in Sharon, whom he fondly calls “Mama.”

“Ms. Sharon was so motherly to me when we were doing this film. All our scenes together — light or heavy scenes — came easy. She was very supportive, along with direk Nuel Naval and, of course, thanks to Ms. Mel del Rosario’s beautiful script,” he said during the presscon.

“Overtaken by every line and all the scenes, I was very comfortable doing them... I wished I was doing all these with my real (mom).”

Alden noted that he last watched the megastar in the film Caregiver. “After watching that, I felt it must be wonderful to work with Ms. Sharon as my mom in a film,” he added. “This is the physicalization and materialization of that wish. I pray that moviegoers would appreciate our dynamics as mother and son in this film.”

Their on-screen chemistry, he added, became effortless due to mutual interests and a shared commitment to the acting craft.

“I truly appreciate our similarities and, I think, that’s one of the reasons we clicked in Family of Two: A Mother And Son Story,” he said.

In the film, Alden is Mateo who has an overprotective mom in Sharon as Maricar. The latter got widowed 15 years ago but has written off the idea of remarriage and instead, has focused all her attention and energies into taking care of her only son.

When Mateo finds love in his officemate Czarina (Miles Ocampo), it changes the dynamics of this tight family of two, whose lives used to only revolve around each other.

With the prospect of having his own family and starting a life abroad and away from his mom, Mateo devises a plan for his mom to meet a good man. Despite her strong objection initially, Maricar sees the pure intention of her son. Nevertheless, with the distance between them, she learns to discover her own happiness outside the life she has with her son.

The role is a departure from Alden’s previous characters. “It’s a different character I play here — from a cocky, spoiled rich kid (in my last film 5 Break-Ups)... Family of Two revolves around two characters who have only each other in their lives,” he said.

“(I play) a sheltered son, an only son… That’s where our story revolves as mother and son in the film. It’s one of the films I dreamed of doing, (to be) given a chance to work with Mama, Ms. Sharon,” he reiterated.

“This is for the whole family, especially the single parents who are able to raise their children all by themselves. It also goes for children who do everything for their parents. This is for children who are proud of their parents and are not ashamed to show their affection for them publicly.

“Our message in this film is that it doesn’t matter if there are only two of you in life, as long as there’s love, there’s someone you share it with in life, who’s part of your family. Where love is there, where family is there.”

Speaking of love or relationships, Alden recently got to share his thoughts on the subject given that his character finding love is a major turning point in the storyline.

He’s keen on slowing down from showbiz once he decides to settle down. “If I want to venture into the settling down stage, gusto ko andun ako sa family ko, gusto ko makikita ko ang paglaki nila. That’s why nakikita natin mga kasama natin sa showbiz, ‘pag nagkaka-anak nawawala for some time and then they return,” he explained.

“Ako po kasi siguro, by the time magka-family, my focus will be my family. ‘Pag nagkaroon nalang ako ng chance ulit, babalik. But family first. Parang ganun ko siya iniisip (that’s how I see it). Hindi ko po siya kaya pagsabayin kasi may mako-compromise po.”

Does this mean that he has to end up with someone outside the entertainment industry? He answered, “Hindi ko masasabi, ayoko siyang pangunahan and ayoko rin sabihin na ayoko ng showbiz or non-showbiz. Come what may po. So far, yung ‘come what may’ sa akin nag-wo-work.”

When The STAR asked the actor for his “ideal” future girlfriend, he admitted, “Ang dali kasi sabihin na gusto mo someone supportive, who loves you and supports you, but ‘pag andun na kayo sa setup na yun, lalabas na yung mga bagay na ‘di ninyo ini-expect. So with me… parang nababago ngayon eh, more on an open-minded girl.”

Meanwhile, amid his excitement about his film, Alden shared his pride in being part of the 2023 MMFF official lineup. He sees it as a positive sign for the Philippine cinema’s resurgence, hoping it will bring audiences back to cinemas and encourage more quality films in the next edition.

“I think everyone will agree that, by far, this is the best MMFF lineup after COVID. The films that we have right now, it’s a full circle of movies for everyone, for all ages, for all markets. But of course, at the end of the day, tayong mga Pilipino ‘pag sinabi Pasko, it revolves around family, so please watch Family of Two (laughs),” he said during the launch of the MMFF Auditorium at the Metro Manila Development Authority headquarters in Pasig.

“Nonetheless, I’m very happy and proud to be part of this roster. Slowly, the Philippine cinema, pasigla na siya ulit. So, nakakatuwa po na a lot of producers are very much encouraged in making films na makakapabalik ng mga kababayan nating Pilipino sa mga sinehan.

“Hopefully, this MMFF 2023 will start that (revival) to drive audiences back to the theaters. This 2024, I hope more great films will be made because, at the end of the day, content is king. For me, it doesn’t matter kung sino ang actor and director, bonus nalang po yun. As you watch a film or content, it’s always about the story.”

Family of Two (A Mother and Son story) has been rated G (General Audience) by the MTRCB.