Eric happily back behind the camera

The directorial job for My 2 Mommies landed on Eric Quizon’s lap by chance.

“It happened during a Chinese New Year dinner last February,” Eric related to Funfare.

The dinner was at Tony Tuviera’s house. Eric was among the choice guests that included Regal Matriarch Lily Monteverde, her daughter Roselle and scriptwriter-director Joey Javier Reyes who were at a nearby table.

“I overheard Joey saying, ‘Alam mo ba kung sino ang nakagawa na ng ganitong movie, si Eric! Mabilis, mahusay at nakakaaliw.’ I turned to them and asked, ‘Ako ba ang pinag-uusapan n’yo?’ I didn’t have any idea what they were talking about.”

What they were talking about was Joey’s script for My 2 Mommies, a comedy about a gay guy who is surprised by an ex-girlfriend that they have a son. (The ex-sweethearts are played by Paolo Ballesteros and Solenn Heussaff, featured in yesterday’s Conversations column.) The Regal group already had a director in mind until Eric’s name cropped up.

Actually, it’s the second time for Eric to replace a director. A few years ago, he starred in the rollicking comedy Pusong Mamon (reminiscent of Ang Lee’s Wedding Banquet) in which he and Albert Martinez play lovers with Lorna Tolentino as the third wheel. A few days into the shoot, director Joel Lamangan fell ill and Eric had to take over, finishing 80 percent of the shoot.

“They gave me the script last February and by March, we began shooting,” said Eric. “Ganoon kabilis. I shot My 2 Mommies the way I did Pusong Mamon. That must be what Joey meant when he said na mabilis ako…fast-paced. If people liked Pusong Mamon, they will also like My 2 Mommies.”

By this time, Eric shall have wrapped the shoot way ahead of the movie’s playdate (opening nationwide on May 9). As Joey said, “Mabilis!” The movie is Regal’s Mother’s Day offering.

Doing My 2 Mommies (the title is self-explanatory, isn’t it?) is a welcome breather for Eric whose last directorial job was Nobody, Nobody But... Juan, the second to the last starrer of Dolphy, his late dad, shown in 2010. After that, Eric became preoccupied with acting jobs, initially at TV5 (where he did several shows including Driver Sweet Lover, Babaing Hampaslupa, Glamorosa, Isang Dakot na Luha and Enchanted Garden) before he moved to ABS-CBN and directed the soap Pasion de Amor and episodes of Ipaglaban Mo and Maalaala Mo Kaya (MMK).

“Directing for TV is more stressful than directing a movie,” admitted Eric. “Sa TV, you have to talk to so many people. For a movie, you talk to only either Mother Lily or Roselle. It’s a daily grind directing a TV series and therefore more challenging. Sometimes, what you are shooting today is scheduled for airing na the next day, so the pressure is great. For a movie, you shoot for several days and you relax a bit during the editing and then the promo before the movie makes it to the theaters.”

Mother Lily gave Eric a free rein.

“Hindi ko siya tinipid,” said Mother Lily. “I love Eric. He has done several movies for Regal, as an actor, but it’s the first time he’s directing a Regal movie.”

Working on My 2 Mommies was a breeze, thanks to Paolo and Solenn who were fun and, according to Eric, magaan katrabaho.

“Paolo is a brilliant actor. He’s smart and witty. Solenn is a joy to work with. Wala siyang pa-diva-diva.”

Eric believes that the theme of My 2 Mommies will resonate with everybody because it is as timely as the current burning issues, such as the LGBT and same-sex marriage.

“Gender equality is now an accepted norm,” said Eric. “A person’s sexuality is no longer an issue. People are now open-minded and more receptive.”

Sandy: I was praying, not crying and crying

Here’s Sandy Andolong (photo, with husband Christopher “Boyet” de Leon), reacting to Funfare’s story about the ordeal of Boyet who was wounded by a blank bullet on the set of the GMA soap Kambal, Karibal:

I just want to correct the news that has been coming out that I kept crying all throughout the long ordeal, even to the point that I was inconsolable daw. That’s not true. I’m not like that. I never cried as I was too busy nursing Boyet, cleaning his wounds and attending to his needs, while at the same time busy listening to updates from the doctors and asking questions as well.

 But, yes, I was anxious; I was worried so I kept praying over him, praying for him. In situations such as what happened, I always have to be strong not only for both of us but especially for our children. I knew God was in control and I trusted that all was well with Him.

Ang asawa ko talaga! I was screaming really out loud at him and calling to the Good Lord when he was having seizure. It was the scariest thing I had ever experienced, seeing him shake uncontrollably with his mouth frothing, his whole body distorted and hard as wood.

Thank God, Boyet is fast recovering.

(E-mail reactions at [email protected]. For more updates, photos and videos, visit www.philstar.com/funfare or follow me on Instagram @therealrickylo.)