February 19 ------ Acclaimed actresses and mothers Dimples Romana and Iza Calzado are teaming up for the first time in the horror film "The Caretakers." Produced by Regal Entertainment and Rein Entertainment, the film is set to be a haunting cinematic experience that delves into stories of family, legacy and supernatural forces. Directed by Shugo Praico, "The Caretakers" follows Lydia (Romana), a caretaker of a rural ancestral house where she grew up and raised her family. Her world is shaken when the wealthy and determined Audrey (Calzado) arrives from the city, land title in hand, claiming ownership of the property.
As their conflict intensifies, an ancient force is awakened, pushing both of them to their limits. For Romana, portraying Lydia was a deeply relatable experience. She explained, "There are things you never thought you could do, but you push through because of your love for your children. My character in the film has three kids, which I relate to since I also have three. As a mother, you learn to balance different personalities and temperaments — one may be outspoken, another childlike. This role made me reflect on whether there's really a right or wrong way to love as a mother."
Meanwhile, Calzado, resonated with the struggles of Audrey who is a cosmopolitan mother of two. "I play a mother trying to secure her children's future. She has a rebellious teen and a sickly child, so she constantly adjusts and cares for them. At the same time, she's facing her own struggles, which she tries to hide from her kids. This makes her appear on edge, but her true intentions remain unclear. The story unravels as she returns to a house owned by her husband's family — yet, as events unfold, the truth about who really has the right to the land and home will be revealed," shared Calzado.
In real life, Romana and Calzado found common ground as mothers and professionals despite their different life paths. "There are so many parallelisms but also so many differences. During our story conference, I noticed how talkative Dimples was. We always end up chatting! I laughed so hard when she pulled out three tumblers for water and tea — I do the same thing. I was just like mirroring," Calzado laughed. But Calzado also pointed out the differences she has with her character. "She has three kids, while I'm just starting. She became a mother a little earlier, while I started quite late. But we've both been here for a long time. She's a very business-minded woman, while I'm more advocacy-driven. We're different in many ways, but there's so much to learn from each other."
Meanwhile Romana said working with Calzado was long overdue. "It's humbling to finally work with someone I've admired from afar. I believe everything happens in God's perfect timing. We may be different, but what I appreciate is that we don't need to see each other every day to feel warmth and respect. That's very important in any working relationship." While both actresses are no strangers to the horror genre, "The Caretakers" offers a fresh take on the storyline. "It's my first time doing a horror film where mothers are really at the center. It's a cinematic experience because the scoring is phenomenal, and you really have to watch it on the big screen," pointed out Calzado. Romana also emphasized the film's unique tone revealing, "This is a quiet horror film, and that's what makes it powerful. This film speaks volumes in its silence. Not all battles are fought with words — some are fought with actions. 'Caretakers' will make you stop and think. It's personal, introspective, and deeply unsettling."
Source: manilatimes.net
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