Mental health advocates Iza and Shamaine remember loved ones with MMK episode

Award-winning actresses Iza Calzado and Shamaine Buencamino remembered their loved ones who passed on due to mental illness, as they star in the upcoming Maalaala Mo Kaya’s My Two Mothers episode. The two revealed that this episode is the most special for them because it tackles a topic that is “very close to their hearts” — the importance of mental health and awareness.

“It was almost like I was the letter sender,” shared Iza. “I could understand what the letter sender went through in some ways. The condition is not the same as my mom’s but it became just a choice of also making sure that maipinta natin ang condition na ‘yun and make it human. To humanize what they (family members) have to go through. Nagkaroon siya ng purpose, nagkaroon ng meaning.”

Directed by Mae Cruz-Alviar, My Two Mothers tells the story of a young girl named Julie (Heaven Peralejo) blessed with two mothers to guide her. The girl begins to resent her biological mother, Caridad (played by Iza), because of the responsibilities passed on to her when the latter developed schizophrenia. Julie met Esther (played by Shamaine) where she finds motherly love through her.

Heaven Peralejo stars as the daughter of Iza and Shamaine.

“This advocacy is very close to my heart because of my mother,” Iza related. She lost her mother 19 years ago after battling with depression. “Siguro bitbit ko pa rin talaga hanggang ngayon (mental illness issue) like Ate Shamaine. Hindi ko bitbit yung bigat; it’s really I think (I’m) being called to create this conversation. This project has a really big meaning for us to serve our purpose. Not only as actors but as mental health advocates.”

She also believes the role was meant for her. “Hindi ko dapat magagawa to eh kasi conflict ‘yung schedule, then nag-free up ‘yung schedule ko. They already offered it to somebody else and then that person suddenly said na hindi siya pwede,” said Iza.

The part eventually went to the 38-year-old actress. “Kung para sa akin ‘to, you won’t even have to force it. Magagawa ko siya. And that’s what happened,” she shared.

Iza was offered the role last June, which coincided with her mom’s birthday month, and so without a second thought, she accepted the job. “The universe is telling you to do this. And there were signs pa…Wala akong hesitation pagdating sa paggawa ng material sapagkat ito nga ay malapit sa aking puso. Actually, challenge siya and of course, we welcome challenge kasi alam natin na matuto tayo dito.”

The lovely memory she had of her mother was her cooking skills. Iza was reminded of this during filming when Shamaine gave her laing, a Bicolano dish. “Nung umuwi ako sa bahay, sabi ko, I wanna eat it at home and share it with Ben (husband). So, kumain ako, ‘Wow this is authentic. This is so good.’ Sabi ko something about this reminds me of my mom’s laing. And then, umiyak ako,” she told The STAR.

Shortly after that happened, she sent a video to Shamaine and husband to thank and share that moment with them. “Sometimes, you know things just bring back memories. And that’s why we have senses, ‘di ba. So it just happened to be my sense of taste that day that brought back that wonderful memory of my mother,” added Iza.

Shamaine, on the other hand, remembered her late daughter Julia who suffered from depression. “The issue (about mental illness) is very close to my heart. Hindi man ako ‘yung character na may mental condition, naalala ko ‘yung mga linya na sinasabi ko tungkol sa hinihingi ko kay Heaven, sa role niya, na intindihin ‘yung nanay niya.

“Kahit na dapat wala akong emosyon, hindi ako masyadong involved, pinipigilan ko ‘yung sarili kong maiyak kasi nung sinasabi ko ‘yung linya na ‘Hindi niya ginusto na magkasakit siya,’ napakasakit sabihin at napakatotoo para sa’kin. Kaya hanggang ngayon affected pa rin ako.”

Nevertheless, the veteran actress was excited about landing the project. “Napaka-special dahil July kasi ang death anniversary ng anak ko. Parang tinaon pa talaga na July ‘yung episode na ito. Sometimes really, it’s a nod from the universe na parang you’re on the right path. Tama yung ginagawa mo. Parang ganun ‘yung dating sa akin…Mahirap pero masarap gawin.”

Meanwhile, Heaven detailed the life and love lessons she got from her mom, whom she described as optimistic and strong-willed. “Kasi sobra niyang daming pinagdaanan sa buhay… hindi siya matitibag ng kahit na sino,” she told The STAR.

“Ang natutunan ko sa kanya is kahit anong mangyari kakayanin ko ng kakayanin at nandiyan siya para tulungan ako lagi,” she furthered.

“Love fearlessly,” this was the bold advice she received from her mother about love. “Siguro ‘wag gawin ‘yung mga mistakes na nagawa niya in her lovelife but after naman ‘nun sabi niya masasaktan, pero it’s part of loving someone.”

When asked if she is open to working with her ex-boyfriend Jimuel Pacquiao who is also a Kapamilya, she replied, “Of course, hindi naman tayo  nagtatanim ng sama ng loob at siyempre may pinagsamahan naman na rin kami. We’re good now so why not.”

(My Two Mothers will be streamed on July 24, 8:30 p.m. on the Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live, iWantTFC, TFC and A2Z Channel 11.)