Dimples Romana and Iza Calzado celebrate their similarities and differences as co-stars in ‘The Caretakers’
A story of ancestral secrets and maternal strength is set to unfold as Dimples Romana and Iza Calzado topbill The Caretakers. Directed by Shugo Praico, this horror film, produced by Regal Entertainment and Rein Entertainment, presents a confrontation over legacy and land, with supernatural elements. Adding to this film’s production, according to Rein Entertainment’s director Lino Cayetano, this is the first zero-waste film in the Philippines.
Guardian of the House: Dimples Romana as Lydia
Dimples Romana takes on the role of Lydia, a caretaker who lives in the rural ancestral home with her three children, Marco Masa, Erika Clemente, and Althea Ruedas. “Ako po ang role ko po dito ay si Lydia. Ako po yung caretaker. Kasama po ng aking tatlong anak. So, meron po akong isang anak na lalaki dito, played by Marco [Masa]. Kasama po rin dito si Erika at si Althea.”
She described her character as “probinsyana, the one who takes care of the home, lalo na yung mga ancestral homes, mga estates, sa mga iba’t ibang lugar natin. Marami ‘yan dito sa Pilipinas, ‘di ba na hindi na nila ibinenta, they really want the family to have it. So kami po ang nagbabantay dyan.”
Lydia and her children are the guardians of not just the house “Ang character ko kasi, kasama ng aking mga anak, kami ‘yung pamilya na nag-aalaga na sa mga sikreto ng tahanang ‘yun. Lahat ng mga pinagdaanan ng tahanang ‘yun, si Lydia maaaring doon din lumaki. Siguro hanggang doon lang ‘yung puwede ko sabihin with my character.”
Romana shared the emotional depth of her character, saying, “Ang masasabi ko lang siguro doon sa natutunan ko sa character ko ay may mga bagay pala talaga na akala mo hindi mo kaya tawirin pero maitatawid mo dahil sa pagmamahal mo sa mga anak mo. So, ang character ko kasi dito ay tatlo ‘yung anak. Medyo nakarelate ako kasi tatlo rin ang anak ko.”
She also spoke about the difficulty of parenting. “Ang pagtitimbang sa ibang-ibang personalidad ng mga anak mo, iba’t ibang mga karakter nila because dito magkakaiba ng karakter also noong aking mga anak. May isang outspoken, may isang very childlike at merong isa namang very authoritative. So, ang natutunan ko ay may mga pagkakataon talaga na bilang ina, mapapatimbang ka kung saan mo makikita ang tama at mali. Ang hirap pala.”
Cosmo Girl: Iza Calzado as Audrey
Iza Calzado plays Audrey, a city dweller and mother of two, Agatha (Erin Espiritu) and Ali (Ashley Sarmiento). “For the caretakers, ako naman po si Audrey, mother of two,” Iza began. “Sina Agatha atsaka si Ali. So, I play Audrey. At ang panganay ko dito ay si Ali, played by Ashley Sarmiento. At ang aking pangalawang anak ay si Agatha na si Erin. So, dito I am a cosmopolitan woman. Wow,” Iza added.
She described Audrey as “a city dweller. Isa po akong nanay na full-time homemaker. And the movie starts off na papunta kami sa isang lugar. Kasama po ang mga anak ko. At makikita natin na may pupuntahan kaming bahay.” Audrey’s arrival at the ancestral house is driven by a desire to secure her children’s future. “Basically, I am a mother who is trying to secure the future of her kids, ‘no? I have a rebellious teen. Very rebellious. Maka-daddy. And then, meron naman akong si Ali na medyo sakitin. So, inaalagaan ko.”
Calzado hinted at hidden intentions and struggles, saying, “Tinitimpla mo na ngayon. But at the same time, meron siyang pagsubok na pinagdadaanan na gusto niyang hindi ipakita sa mga anak niya. So, she comes across as very on-the-edge. Pero hindi mo naiintindihan anong pinagdadaanan ito. And you don’t know what is her intention. Why is she going to the house? So ‘yan ang mga matutuklasan ninyo. Sila, pamilya ng asawa niya, ang may-ari ng lupa, ng tahanan. Pero dito sa pelikulang ito, magkakaalaman sino ba ang tunay na nagmamay-ari at may karapatan sa bahay at lupang ito.”
Crafting Fear: Acting in the Horror Genre
When discussing their approach to acting in a horror film compared to drama, Romana emphasized subtlety for her part. “Sa training na kinalakihan ko sa mga direktor at beteranong artista, ang horror acting is really more on what you do not give more than what you give.” She aimed to create an air of mystery, stating, “I think ang maganda sa kanya is that my goal as an actor was really, ‘pag nanonood ka, gusto ko hindi mo malalaman kung ano yung ibinibigay ko. So, kailangan hindi mo naiintindihan kung bakit ganun ang hitsura niya. Because I am one of the characters that actually cannot be read.”
Calzado stressed the importance of truth in acting, regardless of genre. “When you said horror acting, I mean, one of my first films, in 2004 was Sigaw. And yes, it’s a horror film, but always, I think in every thing that we do, we always just try to just play for truth. Whatever genre it is.” She added, “I always like to just go for, sometimes, as simple as possible. But you know, like my character here, she’s more frantic and ganyan, so I have to deliver. I mean, parang you just deliver what the role requires. And for me, when you play for truth, everything else just follows.”
About what is required of horror films, Iza said, “Kasi ang horror naman, yeah, there is the frightening. I’m sure we both played these roles. ‘Yung minsan ikaw mananakot, minsan ikaw tinatakot. For whatever reasons. But I think it’s really the story ang nagdadala nun. Big part of it is the shots and the scoring. When it comes to any film, but especially in horror, it’s so crucial.”
Calzado spoke further regarding the acting process. “If your character needs to show fear, it has to be shown in your eyes. If you are instilling fear in another person, then it has to be again shown in your eyes and in your facial expressions. And it really will depend on what the story requires of you. The scene, the story. And sometimes the director will have specific notes for you.”
About their personal feelings on the genre, Romana said, “I can watch horror everyday. I can do that every day. I’m that kind of person. ‘Yung gusto kong tinatakot yung sarili ko.” Calzado on the other hand said, “Gusto ko kasi crime. Pero, true crime ako eh. Matatakutin talaga ako. Sobra. Kaya yung, pinapanood ko nga kagabi, kami ni Ben (Wintle, Iza’s husband), eh si Ben din matatakutin ha. Nakakatawa kami kagabi nung pinapanood namin ‘tong film. Pero ‘yun lang, parang I think it depends on the role. Dimple’s role needs to be an air of mystery. So it really depends on what the role requires.”
Dimples-Iza Connection
Romana and Calzado’s shared experiences as mothers and businesswomen created a strong bond on set. “Ang saya-saya!,” Dimples said, and they shared a high five. Calzado elaborated, “Ang daming parallelisms, ang dami ring pagkakaiba, per nakakatawa!” She shared an example of the connection by fondly sharing the details, “I always love this story noong nag-storycon kami. [In my head] ‘Daldal din niya!’ Alam ko naman na ‘yun kasi several times we’ve seen each other sa social occasions or mga work occasions. Pero hindi ‘yung shooting. Lagi kami chikahan. And then ito na. Storycon kami, naglabas tatlong tumbler. Magkatapat kami. Tawa ako nang tawa. Sabi ko, oh my gosh. We’re like, obviously the same age. May mga ritwales na kailangan may isang tumbler sa tsaa, may isang tumbler sa tubig. It was like mirroring!”
Despite their similarities, the two actresses recognize their individual journeys. “But at the same time, you know, there are so many commonalities but also so many differences in life experience, in stages of life. She has three kids. I just started. Kumbaga she began motherhood so early, I began naman a little, well, actually quite late. Even in terms of career. But we’ve been here for a long time. And she’s a very business-minded woman. I’m advocacy-driven,” Calzado said.
Dimples expressed her admiration for Calzado, stating, “Ako, natuwa ako talaga. It’s quite humbling to be with somebody that you actually adore, even from afar. Kami naman ng mga artista, hindi naman porke’t nakatrabaho mo, ‘yun lang ang ina-adore mo, di ba? Meron din from afar na lagi kang may question sa sarili, ba’t kaya hindi natatagpoo ‘yung sa amin? And The Caretakers is actually a perfect time. Naniniwala talaga akong all in God’s perfect timing. Hindi ka talaga pwedeng magpilit ng bagay na hindi pa para sa’yo.”
Romana also appreciated the depth of their connection. “And just like what Iza was saying, magkaibang magkaiba [kami], yet so similar. Ang pinakagusto ko siguro sa relationship namin ni Iza, we don’t necessarily have to see each other all the time to give each other warmth.” Calzado confirmed this, saying, “Even before, remember, I would message you on certain moments?” Romana agreed, “Even before, there was always the yearning to work with one another. And my most favorite is that we are very generous in terms of kuwento but also very generous in terms of respect. At napakaimportante nun para sa amin.” Calzado nodded and said in agreement, “Kailangan. Basic yun, basic yun.”
Clarifying if The Caretakers is their first time working together, Romana stated, “Nang mahaba po.” Iza continued, “Because we worked together in a TV series nina Julia and Enchong, young Susan Roses (Romana) and young Pilar Pilapil (Calzado).”
The Caretakers promises to be a combination of a horror film and a story about the complex ties of family, the weight of the past, and the lengths a mother will go to protect her children. Moviegoers will witness the tension and confrontation between Lydia and Audrey, and the secrets within the walls of the ancestral home, when The Caretakers opens in cinemas nationwide on February 26.
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