Actress Kira Balinger admitted that she found it hard portraying the role of an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) in her latest film, Maple Leaf Dreams, together with actor LA Santos.
During the “Spotlight Presscon”, Kira said that she wanted to bring the stories of the “modern-day heroes” to life and to represent them through the story of Molly.
“I think the hardest part is really wanting to do the OFW role properly—with all honesty on how hard it is to be an OFW,” said Kira, who considered the role as one of her most challenging roles to date.
Recounting her own experience, Kira shared that as someone who has a family working abroad, she could somehow relate to her character.
“My sister and her family are in Hong Kong. They’ve been there for most of their lives. So, as the youngest, it was so hard not to grow up with my sister and her family. I would just see her kids on video calls,” said Kira.
Taking the role of Molly, a migrant worker who decided to move to Canada to provide a better life for her family, Kira stated that the goal of the film is to become an eye-opener about the struggles of every OFW in the world.
“With Maple Dreams Leaf, yes, it’s partly a love story but it’s mostly a migrant story. Whenever we hear the word ‘OFW’, we often think of a successful family member abroad, who sends money to their families in the Philippines,” Kira explained.
“But what we wanted to tell here in Maple Dreams Leaf is their real story, on how they’re able to be in that position—all the unseen and unheard struggles they’d gone through before they could provide for their families,” she added.
On the other hand, LA also dedicated the film to all the Filipinos abroad and their families in the Philippines waiting for their return.
“For me, the film is very personal. I know that this is not just for my family; it is also for the Filipinos who have OFW families,” stated LA.
When asked about his message for the OFWs, LA hoped that the film could bring some happiness to them as they watched it.
“I’m going to do my best for Macky to represent you all well because that’s what I want as an actor—to represent the people. I hope our movie with Kira brings some happiness to the OFWs,” he continued.
Meanwhile, Kira expressed her admiration towards OFW and encouraged them with some comforting words.
“To our OFWs, people may look down on you, people may discriminate you, but please always remember that you are one of the strongest, most loving Filipinos that we have and we are so proud of you,” she said.
“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,” added Kira.
Produced by 7K Entertainment and Loneworld Films, Maple Leaf Dreams hit the cinemas nationwide before September ended.
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