MANILA, Philippines — The cast members of the film “Maple Leaf Dreams” have expressed their admiration for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) who are hailed as the “modern-day heroes.”
In the movie, lead actors Kira Balinger and LA Santos portrayed Molly and Macky, a couple who move to Toronto to seek better jobs. They made sacrifices to leave their homes to provide for their families. Along the way, they experience personal, professional and cultural setbacks that test their decision and their love.
The tearjerker “Maple Leaf Dreams,” helmed by Benedict Mique (“Lolo and the Kid”), also includes the cast members Joey Marquez, Snooky Serna, Ricky Davao, Malou Crisologo, Jong Cuenco, Jeff Gaitan, Hannah Thalia Vito, Luke Alford, Kanishia Santos, Benito Mique, Wilson Martinito and Bea Rose Santiago.
Eighty percent of the film was shot on location in Canada. While filming, Kira and LA were able to meet with and immerse themselves in the OFW community in Canada, and the experience opened their eyes and hearts to the realities of how it was like living and working there.
“It is really a big deal for you to be present for your loved ones,” declared LA during the presscon after the Red Carpet Premiere of the film held last Friday at the Gateway Cinema. “All of us is going through something that’s why saying just a simple ‘I love you’ or ‘How are you?’ is already a big deal. I hope the moviegoers will have this as takeaway from the film, that they will tell their crush, ‘I love you’ (after watching).”
The Star Magic actor also showed his respect for OFWs. He said, “Bilib na bilib ako sa inyo. You really deserve the world because never kayong nabigyan ng justice, never kayong naintindihan ng mga tao. Tingin lang ng mga tao sa inyo pera ka. They think you can do this and that and it’s easy but it’s not.”
“I just wanna say I really admire you guys. The people don’t see how you work hard just to buy a pair of shoes for your siblings or your children.”
LA wished that the viewers would like the film because he accepted the movie project and his role as Macky to pay tribute to the Filipinos and OFWs.
“This is not for me, (it’s) not (because) I wanted to be an actor. I did Macky because I want to give voice to the OFWs and I want them to know that they are appreciated,” he asserted.
Kira echoed, “I have so much respect for the OFWs. I have family members who are OFWs and my message to them, to all the OFWs who will watch our movie, keep going. Like I know it is so hard but you have those dreams, you have all those goals that you want to achieve.
“And you deserve to achieve those dreams so please keep on going. Because when you feel like you want to give up na, tapos ka na, ayaw mo na, that’s when the breakthrough is almost about to happen. The Lord is just testing you if you are going to pursue it, if you are strong enough for the dreams that you have. So keep going, keep your family in your heart always and pray also.”
Bea, who is now based in Canada, recalled that she also experienced waiting to get a permanent resident status in Canada.
“I also lost my lolo. It was painful and hard,” she added. “That’s my takeaway (from the film). To all who have family members who are OFWs, they are not money machines. They are also going through rocky times.”
Kanishia, for her part, shared that she empathized with the OFWs. Relating to the film, she said, “I felt how they miss their families back home and losing their family members. I saw and felt the OFWs (hardship and pain) and also their families.”
Hannah, on the other hand, lauded the acting performance of Kira and LA. “I was moved and even cried. Somehow, the movie resonated with me because it’s not just about working abroad but also being independent in general — having to work, live by yourself without your family. People romanticized it a lot but it’s really a difficult process when it comes to having to be yourself.”
“The life of OFWs is really tough,” Jong pointed out. “Plus, of course, based on my character in the movie, you could really see the difference in social standing. In the film, Joey’s character is my relative. But the way I treated him because only I was a bit more moneyed than him so you could really see the difference in society and then it forces someone to leave para lang ma-improve yung buhay nung tatay niya. Hopefully we get that message across.”
“Maple Leaf Dreams” will be screened in local theaters nationwide starting today, Sept. 25, and in major cities in Canada on Sept. 27.
The story is co-written by direk Benedict and Hannah Cruz. It is produced by 7K Entertainment, Lonewolf Films and ABS-CBN’s Star Magic, and distributed by Quantum Films in the Philippines and Robe Entertainment in Canada.
For their performances for “Maple Leaf Dreams,” Kira and LA were nominated Best Actress and Best Actor, respectively, at the recently-concluded Sinag Maynila 2024. Benedict and Hannah also earned nomination for Best Screenplay.