Momshies share filming challenges

CEBU, Philippines —  Karla Estrada, Jolina Magdangal and Melai Cantiveros revealed the difficulty of shooting their movie “Momshies: Ang Soul Mo’y Akin” amidst the pandemic during a virtual conference Tuesday.

For Jolina, it was being away from her family due to the lock-in shooting that lasted for two weeks.

“Ako talaga yung pinaka-unang nahirapan na hanggang huli ay hinihirit namin na baka pupwedeng hindi na kami lock-in or naka-bubble pero talagang ang naging desisyong ng Star Cinema ay gawin yung protocols, talagang pinikit namin ang mga mata namin. Lalo nako dahil hindi ako sanay na mag lock-in nang matagal na wala yung family ko and sa tulong nang lahat, napagtagumpayan.”

Although it was hard, Jolina said the new normal shooting set-up sans the outside distractions made them concentrate on their roles.

For Melai, having been used to hardship made tackling the situation more bearable. “Mahirap pero talagang warrior naman talaga tayo, lalo na tayong mga Pinoy so, talagang nilalaban natin. Mas gumaan at sumaya dahil magkasama na ang mga magkakaibigan.”

Dspite the adjustments, Karla considers completing a movie in the time of a pandemic one for the books.

“Kasama ka sa history dahil sa gitna ng pandemya nagawa mo ang isang pelikulang alam mong kahit paano ay nakapagpasaya, nakapagpabawas ng pag-aalala ng mga kababayan natin. So, isa to sa pinakamatapang naming hakbang bilang mga artista: itong paggawa namin ng pelikulang ito kasi kasama doon sa tapang na ‘yun ay ang kagustuhan talaga naming magpasaya,” Karla said.

Despite the lesser physical interactions, the Momshies made sure that they had the time to talk to each other outside work. Karla jokingly said they talk mostly at times when their morale was low.

“We need to tap each other’s shoulders,” she said. “We really open our communication, we cry but every after talking, we are full of hope.”

She added that they have different pals outside their trio whose friendships are longer than theirs, but there is a comfort level that you can only find in Melai and Jolina.

Jolina mentioned that their friendship transcends happiness and pain. According to her, Melai and Karla are just one text away and it is so easy to reach out to them, more especially during rough times.

For Melai, she gets the best advice from Karla and Jolina. “Feeling kasi namin na alam mo yung sobrang close na namin parang nakakarelate kami sa isa’t isa at alam kong sila lang ding dalawa ang makakaintindi ‘nung ishashare ko. Alam kong sila lang din yung makakabigay sakin ng best advice kasi kapag hindi mo susundin yung advice niya, ‘yung naka stripe diyan [Karla] magagalit,” Melai teasingly said.

In “Momshies, ang Soul Mo’y Akin,” Jolene (Jolina), Mylene (Melai), and Karlene’s (Karla) lives are changed following an incident that results in the swapping souls. As a result, they have no choice but to band together to address their dilemma.

The film, which was produced by Star Cinema and Keep Filming, is now streaming on KTX.ph and iWant TFC; on SKY and Cignal pay-per-view for P249; and on TFC IPTV.

Who’s who?

Who is the best cook?”

Jolina: Iba-iba, tayong lahat.

Melai: Iba-iba kasi delicacies namin.

Karla: May kanya-kanya kaming putahe. Si Momshie Juls sa pa-Korean, si Momshie Mels sa lutong-bahay na Bisaya, sa akin yung may gata na pagkain.

Who takes the longest

time in the bathroom?

Karla: Si Momshie Juls.

Melai: Si Momshie Juls matagal ‘yan.

Jolina: May pa-music kasi ako at pa-kandila.

Who is the hardest to wake up?

Jolina: Sino ba ang nalalate? Momshia Karls, sino nga ba nalalate satin?

Karla: Si Momshie Melai mas mahirap gisingin.

Melai: Medyo mahirap nga akong gisingin din kasi nandudura ako sa mga nanggigising, chareng.

Who has the strongest sex appeal?

Jolina: Yung isa dyan, yung naka-stripes [Karla].

Melai: Ay walang iba kundi yung naka-stripes dyan. Kasi kahit naman sa ating mga kabataan talaga namang napapalingon sa Karla Estrada.

Karla: May mga asawa na kasi ‘yang dalawa na ‘yan eh. Pero kung babalikan natin noong araw, ‘yung Momshie Jolina ang pinakamalakas.  - Niel Anthony Lajot, Silliman Intern