From left: Director Benedict Mique, writer Hannah Cruz, and Kapamilya stars Kira Balinger, and LA Santos during a media conference for the upcoming movie 'Maple Leaf Dreams' held at Limbaga 77 Restaurant in Morato, Quezon City on March 21.

Director Benedict Mique hopes that the day will never come for him to immigrate to another country.

"Sana hindi dumating yung point na aalis ako sa Pilipinas. I know some directors, friends na may mga position dito. Pero when they go to Canada, they become regular workers. And it's hard for them. Mahirap yun na you're on top of the world here but when you get to Canada, nagta-trabaho ka lang bilang janitor, nagbabantay ka lang ng building, waiter. So ako, wala akong balak pero noon pinagisipan ko rin," says Mique when asked if he had any intention of living abroad, during the media conference for the upcoming movie "Maple Leaf Dreams" under Lonewolf Productions Philippines, held at the Limbaga 77 Restaurant in Morato, Quezon City on March 21.

(I hope it doesn't come to the point that I leave the Philippines. I know some directors, and friends who have positions here. But when they go to Canada, they become regular workers. And it's hard for them. It's hard when you're on top of the world here, but when you get to Canada, you just work as a janitor, you just look after the building, a waiter. So for me, I didn't have any plans, but then I thought of it.)

Mique adds: "Kasi minsan naiisip mo parang wala ng pag-asa ang Pilipinas? I know a lot of people feel that way na wala ng nangyayari rito. Then you go to another country. Migration is so painful for everyone. I know people na kapag nag oath-taking sila for citizenship, umiiyak sila because andito pa rin ang puso nila sa Pilipinas."

Kira Balinger (Facebook)

(Because sometimes you think that the Philippines is hopeless? I know a lot of people feel that way that nothing is happening here. Then you go to another country. Migration is so painful for everyone. I know people who are taking an oath of citizenship and crying because their hearts are still in the Philippines.)

Mique is set to direct the film "Maple Leaf Dreams" which tells the journey of lovers played by Kapamilya stars Kira Balinger (Molly) and LA Santos (Macky) who want to pursue the Canadian dream for the sake of their families.

"It's a romantic-comedy movie, but more of a serious drama. Canada is the new America. Mostly, America ang target ng tao for a better life pero now it's Canada," he said. "In the movie, they have good jobs in the Philippines but because of surmounting expenses, they realized that they won't have a good future here."

Balinger and Santos discussed how they were preparing for the film.

LA Santos (Instagram)

"We had an intimate script reading with direk. Ina-analyze namin yung script. So we really put time and effort to study the script kung paano namin nanamnamin yung bawa't eksena," Balinger says.

Santos, who is both excited and nervous about his first lead role, says: "Pinaplano rin namin ni Kira na mag-immerse. Ako magta-trabaho sa carinderia pero si Kira naman magta-trabaho sa office para maging tutoo. Kung ano yung pinagdaraanan ng mga Pilipino gusto namin talaga mapakita sa movie na ito. Gusto kong bigyan ng justice yung role ko."

(Kira and I are also planning to immerse. I will work in the carinderia (eatery), but Kira will work in the office to be realistic. We really want to show what the Filipinos are going through in this movie. I want to give justice to my role.)

Adds Balinger: "Hindi pa nga nag-uumpisa yung immersion kinakabahan na ako eh. The script reading was very insightful. When you get the script, there are so many ways paano mo siya ma-interpret. So kailangan talaga ng guidance ng director namin."

Kira Balinger and LA Santos (Facebook)

(The immersion hasn't even started yet, I'm already nervous. The script reading was very insightful. When you get the script, there are so many ways how you can interpret it. So we really need the guidance of our director.)

Mique says he is looking forward to working with new talents such as Balinger and Santos

"If you look at my resume sa films, nag-eenjoy ako sa mga bago. It's challenging and at the same time you discover. Keith Thompson and Kim Molina in 'Momol Nights' na-excite ako roon kasi it was their first film together, and they were good. There were lots of adjustments for the three of us. Same with Tony Labrusca sa 'ML' Ang sarap makatrabaho ng mga bago para kasing clean slate. Ikaw yung magmo-mould sa kanila and you get good results," the director remarked.

(If you look at my resume in films, I enjoy new ones. It's challenging and, at the same time, you discover. Keith Thompson and Kim Molina in 'Momol Nights' I was excited because it was their first film together, and they were good. There were lots of adjustments for the three of us. Same with Tony Labrusca in 'ML' It's nice to work with new people because it's like a clean slate. You're the one who will mold them, and you get good results.)

Benedict Mique

Mique says that he and the production team are about to depart for Toronto, Canada in the next few days for ocular. "Malaki ang population ng mga Pinoy doon. So yun ang target namin. At saka parang wala pang gumagawa ng Filipino movie sa Toronto. Most of the time sa Vancouver because it's easier and accessible. Pero nasa Toronto talaga ang maraming Pilipino."

(The population of Filipinos is large there. So that's our target. Also, it seems like no one is making a Filipino movie in Toronto. Most of the time in Vancouver because it's easier and accessible. But there are actually a lot of Filipinos in Toronto.)

The former director of "Darna" series on ABS-CBN also believes it will be a bit difficult for them to shoot in Canada because of the weather. He also said that the other cast of the movie will be announced shortly.