Award-winning actresses Iza Calzado and Dimples Romana shared the excitement and thrill of filming a horror movie together for the first time in "The Caretakers," which will be shown in cinemas beginning Feb. 26.

"It's a horror film but a story about mothers. It's a story about who owns the land. Ginamit ang horror as a way of telling a story," said Iza during a media conference for the movie held at Regal Events Place in Quezon City recently.

Dimples shared her struggles in the movie shot on location in Bulacan for eight days.

"Sa akin ang pinaka-struggle is yung silong. We shot in a real silong. Alam naman natin na maraming kwento sa mga silong. Bukod sa sumakit ang balakang ko (dahil nasa silong kami), sabi ko, 'Paano kaya sila nagkakasya rito? (For me, the biggest struggle was the basement. We shot in a real basement. We know that there are many stories in basements. Besides my hip hurting (because we were in the basement), I said, 'How do they fit in here?)

"Just the aspect of the silong alone, I treat it as everything to me as energy. So kapag pumasok ako ng bahay, ako yung tipong nagtatabi-tabi. (When I enter the house, I am the type of person who pays my respects.)

"I would say pasensya na po, makikiraan lang kami. Habang sino-shoot namin ito, katakot-takot na dahil ang ginagawa namin kasi naniniwala ako na hindi lang naman kami ang nandoon. Matanda na yung bahay na yun. (I would say, sorry, we'll just have to deal with it. While we were shooting this, it was scary because what we were doing made me believe that we weren't the only ones there. That house is old.)

"So, for me, the struggle would be managing the energy of shooting a horror film. We are at the core of an environment where things can move anytime," Dimples said.

Reacting to Dimples' statement, Iza quipped: "Siya talaga malakas ang mga pakiramdam niya. (She really has strong feelings.)

"There were times I would be quiet and pray. I want to pay respects to the genuine caretakers of the house," Dimples said.

Iza wholeheartedly concurred with Dimples' thoughtful reflection on the importance of honoring and paying respects.

"Ako talaga, I always ask that we start with a prayer in every project, especially in horror films. I always ask for prayers lalo na kung may mga entity. Ito naman elementals. So, I always ask for a personal prayer. (I always ask that we start with a prayer in every project, especially in horror films. I always ask for prayers, especially if there are entities. These are elementals. So, I always ask for a personal prayer.)

Dimples and Iza couldn't contain their excitement working on their first movie together. Both actresses, known for their unique talents and charisma, radiated joy as they discussed the project that brought them side by side. Their collaboration not only marked a significant milestone in their careers but also forged a deep bond rooted in shared passion and creativity.

"It's our first movie together, so I am excited for everyone to see it. Noon kasi yung role na offered sa amin halos pareho," recalled Dimples.

But Iza said they have worked together as guests for a TV series. "I forgot the title, but it was under Dreamscape Entertainment. She played the role of the young Susan Roces, and then I played the young Pilar Pilapil."

On working with Iza, Dimples said: "Sa akin nakakatuwa. But I expected naman na magiging masaya yung set namin. Hindi ko inexpect na ganun talaga kasaya. Hindi naging mahirap ito because it was Iza. Even with the staff and crew parang pamilya ko na rin ito. It was a wonderful experience because there were many firsts in this movie. (For me, it's fun. But I expected our set to be fun. I didn't expect it to be that fun. It wasn't difficult because it was Iza. Even with the staff and crew, it was like family to me. It was a wonderful experience because there were many firsts in this movie.)

For her part, Iza said: "Magaan lang kami kasi kwentuhan lang. I love connecting with people. I love learning from people. There's so much to learn from Dimples as a mother, businesswoman, and marketing specialist. Parang I admire you on so many levels. Talagang, what you have now is a product of hard work and smart work. (We're easy because we just talk. I love connecting with people. I love learning from people. There's so much to learn from Dimples as a mother, businesswoman, and marketing specialist. It's like I admire you on so many levels. Really, what you have now is a product of hard work and smart work.)

Iza added: "Mararamdaman mo rin naman yun kung gusto magpa-bida ng kasama mo. Pero hindi ganun. Nagbigayan (kami). It was a very good dance on the set. We have an efficient staff and crew who are prepared. I love a good and well-prepared production. We finished these in eight days. How do you do that in a horror setting? (Believe ako. "You will feel it as well if the star tries to outsmart you. But it's not like that. It's a give-and-take situation. It was a very good dance on the set. We have an efficient staff and crew who are prepared. I love a good and well-prepared production. We finished these in eight days. How do you do that in a horror setting? I am impressed).

Dimples and Iza said they were proud of the production staff of the movie that implemented a zero-waste system on the set.

"We also had zero-waste production. Umalis kami roon na walang kalat. (We left the place without any garbage)," said Dimples.

Iza added: "Everything was buffet and plated. No packed food."

Produced by Regal Entertainment Inc. and Rein Entertainment PH, "The Caretakers" is directed by Shugo Praico. It opens in theaters on Feb. 26.