Mika Salamanca and Brent Manalo, known by their uniname MikBrent, are becoming one of the most talked-about young pairings in Philippine showbiz.
At a press interview at a Jollibee branch in Pasig City on November 13, 2025, they gave an update on their excperience shooting the Metro Manila Film Festival entry Call Me Mother.
“Tapos na. Tapos na namin siyang i-shoot,” said Brent.
Mika added, “Tapos na po and ready na po kaming ipapanood po sa inyo.”
Talking about what the audiences can expect, Mika said, “Ang pinakapatikim po namin doon is talagang maiiyak, matutuwa, makaka-relate ang maraming Pilipino dito sa movie na ito.”
Higlighting the heart of the story, Brent pointed out, “At saka marararamdaman talaga yung gift of Christmas, yung gift of family.”
That they have poured their hearts into bringing this story to life for their fans is evident in their excitement while talking about Call Me Mother.
LEARNING FROM THE BEST
The movie is led by Unkabogable Star Vice Ganda and Nadine Lustre together with Mika and Brent's fellow PBB housemates Shuvee Etrata, Klarisse de Guzman, and Esnyr.
Speaking about working with the cast, Brent related, “Sobrang saya. Parang minsan nga naiisip namin ni Mika, parang naglalaro na lang kami sa set.
"Kasi nga, minsan nakakalimutan ko na part pala ako ng eksena kasi pinapanood ko na lang si Meme [Vice Ganda] sa pag-aacting. Nakakatawa talaga siya.”
Mika added, “Sobrang gaan po nilang katrabaho lahat. Inaalalayan po nila kami.
"And yun po, totoo po yung sinabi ni Brent. Sobrang nakakatuwa po sila. Sobrang gaan po katrabaho ng lahat sa set.”
They said their co-stars’ professionalism and positive energy made even the long working hours fun and light.
Brent said, “Kaya naman pala na sobrang gaan lang talaga sa set.
"Kasi most of the time [sa taping experience ko], dahil nga lahat ng tao medyo pagod, medyo umaabot na yung init ng ulo.
"Pero sa experience namin dito sa set ng Call Me Mother, wala all throughout. Ang gaan.”
Mika added, “Kada sequence po parang umaabot po ng apat na oras, pero hindi po namin nararamdaman yun.
"Parang magugulat kami gabi na. Papasok kami sa set nang umaga, lalabas kami ng gabi pero hindi po namin nararamdaman even yung pagod.”
GRATEFUL HEARTS AND BIG DREAMS
Despite their busy schedule, MikBrent remains down-to-earth and thankful for the opportunities coming their way.
When asked how it feels to be booked and busy, Brent answered, “Grateful. Very grateful.
"We get asked this a lot of times, pero at the back of my mind parang naisip ko nga na pangarap namin ito and that we should be humble and grateful.”
Mika agreed, “Blessed. Ang galing, ang galing ng Panginoon. Binabalik ko lang po talaga lagi sa kanya kasi ang galing kapag naiisip ko po yun.
"Kaya grateful. Wala po kaming ibang maramdaman kung hindi pasasalamat po talaga.”
Asked if fans can expect MikBrent to lead a movie together soon, they answered in unison, "We're hoping."
Mika added, “Pinag-pepray po namin na talagang hindi tumigil na magka-work po kami in the future.”
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