What brings out the ‘feelennials’ in Pops, Bayani and Ai-Ai

Bayani Agbayani (left) and Ai-Ai delas Alas

My friend from way back, Pops Fernandez, has a standard line every time her birthday comes around. She tells her guests that she’s only 28. The Concert Queen doesn’t look her age at all, so she gets away with it.

Pipay (her nickname) refuses to feel her age, too. That’s why it is but fitting that Pops coproduced “Feelennial (Feeling Millennial),” which opens tomorrow. The title of the comedy film is sooo her. It is topbilled by Ai-Ai delas Alas and Bayani Agbayani.

Martin Nievera gives his all-out support to Pops by playing a cameo role in the movie. Their grown-up kids, Robin and Ram, also have a contribution to Pops’ foray into movie production. One of Robin’s songs is part of the hip soundtrack, while Ram did the animation. Talk about teamwork.

Get ready for one solid laugh trip. The movie will remind us that life is too short to spend it feeling we’re too old to have fun. That “feelennial” vibe redefines what a “fountain of youth” ought to be.

Pops Fernandez (center) with sons Robin and Ram Nievera

Here’s my chat with Pops (P), Ai-Ai (A) and Bayani (B):

In what ways do you feel like a millennial?

P: I am tech-savvy. I’m not afraid to explore and try out new ideas.

A: I update my Facebook and Instagram regularly. I enjoy watching Netflix.

B: The way I dress up and the type of music I listen to.

If you were still a millennial, what would you do?

P: That’s not applicable to me because I still feel like a millennial (laughs).

A: I would want to be more “techie” because there are a lot of things I don’t understand about gadgets.

B: I will study hard, get a job, remain single. Every vacation, I will buy promo tickets and travel around the world.

What do you envy about millennials?

P: I am glad I do feel like a millennial and get to experience all the resources that are available to them.

B: Everything that they want to know is just one click away. However, they should use it in a positive—and not destructive—way.

Ai-Ai no stage mother

Ai’s charming daughter, Sofia, is part of the cast, too. Ai claims that she’s no stage mother. “I don’t want to cramp her style. So, as far as acting is concerned, I leave that to the director,” she said. “I just meddle sometimes when I don’t like Sofia’s outfit or hairstyle.”

Yes to mothering, no to smothering.

Bayani’s valid point

Bayani raised a valid point during the movie’s press con. He said, “In Japan, the top-grossing films are their local ones, not Hollywood movies. How I wish that Pinoy moviegoers would prioritize watching local films before they watch the foreign ones.” It’s high time for some “LocaLove.”