Niel Henry Chumacera

‘Call Me Mother’ director Jun Robles Lana joins Vice Ganda for Philippines-Japan Film Festival

Article (news)

Mika Geronimo

<p>From honoring Filipino tradition at previous <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/starcinema/articles-news/vice-gandas-and-the-breadwinner-is-joins-metro-manila-film-festival-2024-lineup-22824" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><u>Metro Manila Film Festivals</u></a>, to exchanging cultures in Japan! Director Jun Robles Lana gears up to personally present his two <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/films" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><u>Vice Ganda</u></a>-led MMFF entries, 2025’s “Call Me Mother” and 2024’s “And the Breadwinner Is...”, at this year’s Philippines-Japan Film Festival, where “Call Me Mother” was also designated as the opening film.</p><div><br/></div><p>Following Vice’s departure on February 25, Direk Jun jets off to join the Unkabogable Star in Tokyo today, February 27 — but not without sharing his excitement via a quick interview. </p><div> </div><div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-T5cgMHLuuw?si=SN1qWqlEK1d4qaF7" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div> </div><p>Direk Jun revealed that it was a pleasant surprise to have the two films also be part of the festival lineup. He looks forward to engaging with audiences through talkbacks at the festival, as well as celebrating its showcase of Filipino culture and friendship between the Philippines and Japan.</p><div><br/></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1772180080955DIREK-JUN-PH-JAPAN.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div><br/></div><p>“Call Me Mother” also won’t be the last time Direk Jun and Vice will work their magic together, as the filmmaker also addressed the comedy icon’s <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/films/2026/2/26/vice-ganda-heads-to-tokyo-as-call-me-mother-opens-philippines-japan-film-festival-1552" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><u>recent remark</u></a>, which drummed up anticipation for what could be their next team-up.</p><div><br/></div><p>“Hindi lang ako tali [kay Vice] this year, tali na yata ako for life,” Direk Jun quipped. He then went on to discuss what’s possible for their “very fruitful” partnership, which he sees lasting well beyond 2026.</p><div><br/></div><p>“Marami kaming pinag-uusapan eh, so kung ano man ang mapipili namin, d’un ako excited,” Direk Jun teased. “Marami pang panahon pero may gagawin kami this year, that’s for sure.”</p><div><br/></div><p>In the meantime, filmgoers in Tokyo will now have their turn in witnessing Vice’s heartfelt performance and Direk Jun’s moving storytelling, as the motherhood tale of “Call Me Mother” and the ode to migrant workers of “And The Breadwinner Is…” hit their shores.</p><div><br/></div><p>Relive the love and laughter of “Call Me Mother” and “And The Breadwinner Is...” through exclusive interviews, behind-the-scenes videos, and blooper reels, now playing on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@ABSstarcinema" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><u>Star Cinema’s official YouTube channel</u></a>! </p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEOS: </strong></div><div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_4hnDsH3Ea4?si=GMnutIJfh2k0qNh_" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4VmRLYx8Cwg?si=pSFSdJ2L-UYf98Br" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div> </div><div><strong>RELATED STORIES:</strong></div><div><strong></strong><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/films/2026/2/26/vice-ganda-heads-to-tokyo-as-call-me-mother-opens-philippines-japan-film-festival-1552" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><u>Vice Ganda heads to Tokyo as ‘Call Me Mother’ opens Philippines-Japan Film Festival</u></a></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/films/2025/12/5/vice-ganda-nadine-lustre-lead-star-studded-call-me-mother-grand-media-day-1900" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><u>Vice Ganda, Nadine Lustre lead star-studded ‘Call Me Mother’ Grand Media Day</u></a></div>

<p>Director Jun Robles Lana gears up to personally present his two <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/films" target="_blank"><u>Vice Ganda</u></a>-led MMFF entries, 2025’s “Call Me Mother” and 2024’s “And the Breadwinner Is...”, at this year’s Philippines-Japan Film Festival, where “Call Me Mother” was also designated as the opening film.</p>

Director Jun Robles Lana gears up to personally present his two Vice Ganda -led MMFF entries, 2025’s “Call Me Mother” and 2024’s “And the Breadwinner Is...”, at this year’s Philippines-Japan Film Festival, where “Call Me Mother” was also designated as the opening film.