This year's Metro Manila Film Festival promises to bring double the holiday cheer by including Jun Robles Lana's "Becky and Badette" in its movie lineup. 

The film features a unique blend of humor, outrageous twinning, and delightful antics from comedy queens Eugene Domingo and Pokwang in their titular roles.

While both Eugene and Pokwang have separately starred in their blockbuster movies in recent years, Becky and Badette marks the second time for both actresses to grace the big screen together after their 2006 big hit, “‘D Lucky Ones.” 

During the media conference held on Dec. 4 in Quezon City, best friends Eugene and Pokwang reminisced about how their friendship began.

"Nakita ko si Pokwang sa 'Clown In A Million.' I was invited to give a talk sa mga natirang contestants siya talaga yung standout. Sabi ko nakakatuwa naman ito kahit hindi mo kinakausap, ang likot niya. Na-realize ko lang after, 'Ay, babae siya?' So siya ang nanalo. Di ba sinabi nga ni Direk Maryo J. Delos Reyes na dapat ikaw ang manalo," said Eugene, also known as Uge.

(I saw Pokwang in 'Clown In A Million.' I was invited to give a talk to the remaining contestants, she was really the standout. I said she's funny even if you don't talk to her; she is fun. I only realized after, 'Oh, she's a girl?' So she won. Didn't Director Maryo J. Delos Reyes say that you should win?)

"Noong nanalo siya, nagsimula na siyang mag-guesting sa mga talk show. Then nagkasama kami kay Charlene Gonzalez, yung 'At Home Ka Rito.' So wala pa siyang kotse roon. Sabi niya, 'Sabay naman ako sa'yo.' Sabi ko, 'Oo naman!' Kasi kami yung natitira sa set. Marami pa kaming ginagawa. 

(When she won, she started guesting on talk shows. Then we joined Charlene Gonzalez in 'At Home Ka Rito.' So, she still needed to get a car. She said, 'May I hitch with you?' I said, 'Sure!' We were left on the set and still have much to do.)

"Tapos nakita ko talaga kung paano siya nagsimula at hanggang nagkaroon siya ng sasakyan. Hanggang sa umarte na kaming dalawa together sa D' Lucky Ones kay Direk Wenn Deramas with Sandara Park and Joseph Bitangcol. After that, ito na. Yung kaming dalawa lang ang bida," said Eugene.

(Then I saw how she started and until she got a car. Until the two of us acted together in 'D' Lucky Ones' by Direk Wenn Deramas with Sandara Park and Joseph Bitangcol. After that, this is it. We play leads in this movie.)

Eugene and Pokwang shared what they appreciate about each other.

"Gusto ko kay Pokwang yung pagiging professional niya. Ang bilis kumilos. Kasi kami sa set gusto namin umuwi ng maaga. So nagkakaintindihan na kami. Kapag nasa set na kami, hindi na namin pinaplano. Pinapabayaan na lang kami ni Direk pero okay naman. So organic yung labas ng comedy," Eugene said.

(I like Pokwang for her professionalism. She acts quickly. We always want to go home early. So we understand each other. When we are on set, we don't plan anymore. The director leaves us alone, but that's okay. So what comes out of comedy is organic.)

Pokwang added: "Ako naman ang gustong-gusto ko kay Uge mahilig magdala ng pagkain, at kung anu-anong mga regalo, Mararamdaman mo siya na hindi lang katrabaho kundi pamilya siya. Kasi lagi siyang nangungumusta sa anak ko. Mararamdaman mo talaga yung concern niya sa inaanak niya. Lagi siyang nakikinig sa akin. Kapag mainit ang ulo ko, sinasabi niya, 'Sis, order tayo. Ano ang gusto mo? Gusto mo ng kape? Milk tea? Mga ganyan." 

(I like Uge very much; she brings food and gifts. You can feel that she is not just a colleague but a family. She always says hello to my daughter. You can feel her concern for my daughter. She always listens to me. When I'm hot-headed, she says, 'Sis, let's order. What do you want? Do you want coffee? Milk tea? Things like that.)

Eugene remarked: 'Mababaw lang naman ang kaligayahan nito." (It's only superficial happiness.)

With the stellar duo’s undeniable chemistry and director Jun's colorful storytelling, the film becomes a memorable experience for moviegoers as they embark on a crazy adventure that leaves them smiling even after the credits roll.

Produced by The IdeaFirst Company and October Films, Becky and Badette presents the story of two high school best friends navigating life’s challenges through a series of hilarious misadventures. Combining humor with heartfelt storytelling, Becky and Badette celebrate true friendship that audiences can easily relate to.

Helmed by the same director who created the 2021 MMFF Best Picture “Big Night!” and the hit comedy films “Die Beautiful,” “Born Beautiful,” “The Panti Sisters,” and “Sampung Mga Kerida,” Becky and Badette is expected to deliver the same Jun Robles Lana signature storytelling than can get boisterously funny yet brings a touching, heartwarming twist.

Asked how he was able to cast Eugene and Pokwang for the movie, Jun said: "Ramdam ko na may chemistry sila so parang mas maganda siguro kung mapapanood sila in full-length. Matagal ko na itong nilalako at gusto kong magawa. And then when I saw the perfect timing, binanggit ko sa mga producers pati na rin kay Percy (Untalan). Noong first shooting day namin, tuwang tuwa ako sa kanila. Perfect talaga sila for the project. Doon na nag start."

(I believe they have chemistry, so it would be better to see them in full-length. I have been selling it for a long time and want to do it. Then, when I saw the perfect timing, I mentioned it to the producers and Percy (Untalan). On our first shooting day, I was very happy with them. They were really perfect for the project. That's when it started.)

Ate Vi in the house

When you watch "Becky and Badette," you'd be surprised that Star for All Seasons Vilma Santos plays a big part in the characters' lives.

"Nasa script kasi yun. May dahilan kung mapapanood ninyo at malaking bahagi ng pelikula si Ate Vi. Marami. Nire-re-enact nila yung mga scenes na yun and it's crucial to the story. Aside from that, it's a love story for Philippine cinema. Marami kaming iconic moments na binigyan namin ng tribute rito. From Tito Dolphy to the likes of Sharon, Maricel. It opens with the Working Girl theme song," said Jun.

(It's in the script. There's a reason why Ate Vi is a big part of the movie. They re-enact those scenes, and it's crucial to the story. Aside from that, it's a love story for Philippine cinema. We have many iconic moments to which we pay tribute. From Tito Dolphy to the likes of Sharon (Cuneta), and Maricel (Soriano). It opens with the Working Girl theme song.)

Ate Vi first became the topic of Eugene and Pokwang in their movie, "D' Lucky Ones, " released in 2006. Seventeen years later, Ate Vi is still part of this new project.

"Sa  D' Lucky Ones, mga fan kami roon ni Ate Vi pero mga nanay kami roon nila Sandara at Joseph. Dito naman kami mag bestfriends kung saan elementary at high school magkakampi na pero dahil merong hindi magandang nangyari sa amin hindi namin nakuha yung mga pangarap namin at hindi kami nakapagtapos. Then umattend kami ng reunion at doon na tatakbo yung storya kung paano namin napachieve ang pangarap namin at kung tama ba? Istorya ng dalawang magkaibigan na hindi nag iwanan. Mas importanteng na preserve ang kanilang relationship. Pero maraming pagsubok na napakasaya," Eugene said.

(In 'D' Lucky Ones,'  we play the moms of Sandara and Joseph, who are fans of Ate Vi. Here we are best friends. We had been friends in elementary and high school, but because something bad happened, we didn't achieve our dream and didn't graduate. Then we attend a reunion, and that's when the story will run about how we achieved our dream and if it was right. It's the story of two friends who didn't leave. It's more important to preserve their relationship. But there are many trials, which is very fun.)

Pokwang added: "Sa mga pagsubok na pinagdaanan namin naging inspirasyon namin yung mga line ni Ate Vi sa mga pelikula niya." (During the trials we went through, Ate Vi's lines in her movies inspired us.)

Eugene and Pokwang said it would be an honor to invite Ate Vi to the premiere of their comedy film on Dec. 21. 

"Okay lang ba ma-invite namin si Ate Vi sa premiere night? Puwede ba yun? Ang sarap siguro ng pakiramdam ng ganun na pinapanood niya kami habang ginagaya namin siya. In real life taga-hanga naman ako ni Ate Vi, Nora Aunor, Maricel Soriano, Sharon Cuneta, mga icons natin. Pero nagkataon lang naman sa movie na ito si Ate Vi 'yung mga eksenang katapat namin.

"Sana! Ate Vi, please! Kung may time ka! Dec. 21 Ate Vi baka naman may time ka! Manonood din kami ng pelikula niya, 'When I Met You In Tokyo.' Kumbaga tawiran," said Eugene.

Pokwang thanked Ate Vi in advance. "Thank you, Ate Vi!"

Completing the vibrant cast of Becky and Badette are Agot Isidro, Romnick Sarmenta, and Adrian Lindayag, with guest appearances from Iza Calzado, Sunshine Dizon, Karylle, Ice Seguerra, Moira Dela Torre, Christian Bables, Janice De Belen, Gladys Reyes, Sheryn Regis, and Sharlene San Pedro, Timothy Castillo, Joross Gamboa, Victor Silayan and Press Hit Play.

Celebrate the crazy yet enduring strength of true friendship with Becky and Badette, an official entry to the 49th Metro Manila Film Festival, opening in cinemas nationwide this Dec. 25.