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Direk Zig Dulay dedicates 'Firefly' to his late mother: 'Salamat sa paggabay, Inang'
Yesterday, “Firefly,” the flagship movie of GMA Public Affairs and GMA Pictures and an official entry to the 2023 Metro Manila Film Festival, released its official trailer, sparking excitement among fans.
The trailer not only gave a glimpse of Ton’s (Euwenn Mikaell) adventure as he searches for the island of the fireflies, it also showed his close relationship with his mother played by Alessandra de Rossi.
The film's director, Zig Dulay, also posted the trailer on his Instagram account, along with a caption honoring his own late mother.
“N’ung nabubuhay pa ang nanay ko, alam ko at sigurado ako na ginagawa niya ang lahat para mabuhay kaming mga anak niya. Mahirap ‘yun lalo na’t naunang nawala ang tatay ko, tapos dahil hindi naman siya nakapag-aral, wala siyang regular na trabaho at lagi lamang siyang dumidiskarte. Siya ang nagsilbing patunay sa akin na totoo ang mga superheroes na napapanood sa mga pelikula,” Direk Zig shared.
[When my mother was still alive, I knew and was certain that she did everything to provide for us, her children. It was tough, especially since my father passed away first, and because she didn't have the opportunity to study, she didn't have a regular job and always relied on resourcefulness. She served as proof to me that the superheroes seen in movies are indeed real.]
“Kaya naman n’ung mga araw na pabalik-balik na siya sa ospital, ginawa ko rin ang lahat ng makakaya ko para humaba pa ang buhay niya, at makasama pa namin siya, at lalo na sa akin na matagal na nawalay sa kaniya,” he added.
[So, during the days when she kept going back to the hospital, I did everything I could to prolong her life, to be with her longer, especially for me who had been separated from her for a long time.]
The director then recalled one instance when while confined in the hospital, his mother saw him in an episode of “Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho.”
Direk Zig shared that seeing him on the TV gave his mother strength, allowing her to stand up to see him closer.
“Tumayo siya at lumapit sa TV tapos sinasabi niya daw nang paulit-ulit sa mga kapwa niya pasyente, 'Anak ko 'yan, anak ko ‘yan!”
[She stood up and approached the TV, repeatedly saying to her fellow patients, 'That's my child, that's my child.]
He then said that this moment served as his inspiration in making meaningful shows whether it’s a movie or a series. Direk Zig also directed the hit “Maria Clara at Ibarra.”
“Gusto ko laging proud sa akin ang Inang ko sa mga ginagawa ko, kung nasaan man siya,” he expressed in his caption.
[I want my mother to always be proud of me for whatever I do, wherever she may be.]
Then, Direk Zig expressed gratitude to his mother for always guiding him, dedicating “Firefly” to her.
“Firefly” is a coming-of-age road trip drama about a young boy who searches for the mythical island described in his mother’s stories.
It also stars Miguel Tanfelix, Ysabel Ortega, Yayo Aguila, Epi Quezon, and Dingdong Dantes.
Catch “Firefly” in cinemas starting on December 25.
—CACM, GMA Integrated News
