SAN MIGUEL, Bulacan - Award-winning and beloved actress Dimples Romana became visibly emotional as she shared heartfelt sentiments about her daughter, Callie Ahmee, who is diligently pursuing her dream of becoming a pilot through her training in Australia.

During a set visit to the upcoming horror film "The Caretakers" produced by Rein Entertainment, Dimples shared a poignant reflection on the passage of time when her daughter departed for abroad two years ago.

"When Callie left, doon ko narealize ang bilis pala ng value ng time. Cal left at 18 two years ago. Cal is a student pilot in Australia. She left when she was 18. Twenty na siya ngayon. She's down to her last unit for university. Sa atin kasi, you must finish a college degree before taking aviation. 

"Doon naka-incorporate siya: aviation school and then university. She's finishing so early na ang talagang graduation nila ay February pa. Pero one unit na lang siya so patapos na siya at makakauwi na siya for my birthday (November) and then we're going there for Christmas. So kapag naaalala ko yun sobrang bilis ng buhay.

"Ito na po talaga ang bread and butter ko, iyo ang ipinagpapasalamat ko dahil ito ang nagpapunta sa kanya doon. Wala naman kaming ibang pinagkakakitaan ng asawa ko. Bukod sa mga negosyo namin pero mas nakatutok ako sa karera ko," Dimples said.

Dimples also mentioned that she is grateful for having an obedient daughter. She and husband Boyet are blessed with two other children Alonzo and Baby Elio.

"So nakita ko na yun pala ang naiwan ko sa anak ko: education. Ang swerte ko dahil mabait ang anak ko. So mahihiya ka na hindi mo mabigay ang kailangan niya. Hindi siya humingi ng labis. Pero humingi siya ng oras. Kapag sinabi niyang 'I need you time mama,' I stop," she said.

But Dimples also confessed to feeling sentimental after the passing of industry stalwarts Deo Endrinal and Mother Lily Monteverde of Regal Entertainment. She will also be celebrating her birthday in November.

Having been in the industry for nearly three decades, Dimples revealed that she had become selective with her projects.

"Medyo may senti blues ako dahil magbi-birthday ako at nawala si Sir Deo last year. Medyo malaki ang impact nun sa akin kasi siya ang nag-guide sa akin in terms of my career, what to accept, what not to get. May ganun siya kasi alam niya lagarista ako,"  said Dimples, adding that Deo gave some of her most memorable television projects.

But when the offer of "The Caretakers" came, Dimples said it felt good.

"Kapag tumatanda ka na pala, medyo nagiging mapili ka na. Is this worth my time in exchange for my time with kids?" she asked. "Ang dami ko na rin ginawang horror projects kila Mother Lily. Na-excite ako sa ganun. Siguro na-train din ako roon."

Dimples holds the belief that as a mother, you will go to any lengths to ensure the well-being and happiness of your children, placing their needs above all else.

"When you become a mom, lahat ng maganda at masamang ugali mo lalabas. Sometimes, as a mother, you will do crazy things out of love," she said.

Lino Cayetano, producer of the movie, shared Dimples' sentiment and couldn't agree more with her perspective.

"Listening to her, nakakatakot minsan ang pwedeng gawin ng isang nanay para sa pamilya. And that's part of the horror we're trying to relay na we are all willing to do everything.

"Noong pandemic talagang na-challenge tayo kung ano ang kaya nating gawin pero sa kabilang banda, ano ba yung mahalaga? Lahat kinuha sa atin," he said.

Lino added: "Listening to Dimples, I am more excited about the movie. They are both moms here, and they have kids."

He was referring to Iza Calzado, another award-winning actress, who also stars in "The Caretakers." Iza portrays a mother in conflict with Dimples.

So, who's good and evil between Dimples and Iza? "Mahirap timplahin kasi noong tinitignan ko talaga yung characters, hindi ko majudge."

Dimples also reminisced about her mother, who was known for her strict upbringing during their early years.

"Mala-tigre ang nanay ko noong lumalaki kami sa generation niya. Lumilipad yung tsinelas pero hindi mo na magagawa yun ngayon. Yung mga bata ngayon imbes na makikinig sila nagrerebelde sila.

"Sa panahon ko kapag tinignan lang ako ng nanay ko, parang may laser beam yun. Tinignan ka pa lang ng nanay mo alam mo na.

"So it's good to have a movie where two mothers fight for their families and what they need. Lagi tayong in survival mode.

"Ako natutunan ko ng hindi personalin ang kahit ano. At the end of the day, meron kang pinagdaraanan kaya mo ito nasasabi. Laging sinasabi noon ni Sir Deo, take the higher road. The Lord doesn't blink," Dimples also said.

Remembering Deo

Lino recalled putting up the Rein Entertainment with the blessing of Deo.

"Bumukod kami pero may blessing naman ni sir Deo. Unang project namin is Bagman. Grabe yung hole na naiwan ni sir Deo sa industry. When Sir Deo was alive, parang kakapit lang ako sa kanya at papunta na tayo roon. Siya ang naghone ng Bagman. 

"Part of the idea doing this is ambag rin namin ito sa mga project na tingin namin pagnakita ng mundo kwento ito ng Pilipino na mga nanay na matapang at lumalaban. At yung elemento na ginamit dito ni Direk Shugo (Praico) ay likas dito sa ating mga Pilipino," Lino also said.

Dimples urged everyone in the industry to preserve the knowledge they gained from showbiz icons like Deo and Mother Lily.

"Three years na ako naging member ng International Emmy juror. When you become a juror, you see different kinds.

"When you judge, you're coming from a Filipino heart. And then you see the potential na kaya rin pala natin silang tapatan at sabayan if we only can collaborate. 

"Sana yung mga natutunan natin sa pillars huwag natin sayangin. So halimbawa, ano ba ang mga natutunan natin kay Sir Deo at pagsamahin natin?"

"The Caretakers" produced by Rein Entertainment will be shown in cinemas soon.