Mental health advocates Iza and Shamaine in MMK episode that hits close to home

Shamaine Buencamino (left) and Iza Calzado

It felt almost like I was the letter sender,” said Iza Calzado, who is portraying yet another inspiring role for an episode of the longest-running drama anthology “Maalaala Mo Kaya.”

“This advocacy is very close to my heart because of my mother, so I could understand what the letter sender went through in some ways, even though the condition is not the same as my mom’s,” Iza told reporters during a recent gathering to announce MMK’s July lineup.

Iza is part of the July 24 episode that revolves around a teenager named Julie (Heaven Peralejo), who is blessed with two mothers. Julie sees Caridad (Iza), as her protector from her abusive father. But her life gets upturned when her mother develops schizophrenia. Because of the responsibilities suddenly left to her, Julie begins to resent Caridad. As Esther (Shamaine Buencamino) enters Julie’s life, she rediscovers the love she has for her biological mother.

In previous interviews, Iza admitted that her mom, Mary Ann Ussher, committed suicide after losing her longtime battle with depression. “I feel that Ate Shamaine and I were really called to encourage conversation [about the issue], so this project has a really deep meaning for us. This helps us serve our purpose not just as actors but also as mental health advocates,” Iza pointed out.

More understanding

Shamaine agreed, adding that she still gets emotional whenever she recalls what she did for this particular episode because “it presents an issue that’s very close to my heart. It’s about mental illness.”

Shamaine’s 15-year-old daughter Julia also committed suicide at their home in 2015.

She added that her character may not be the one with the illness, but “I’d always recall what she told Julie. Esther said Julie should be more understanding of her mother since it wasn’t the latter’s choice to get sick. That scene was too real and too painful for me. I had a hard time trying to stop my tears from falling [during taping]. It still has an effect on me up to now.”

When asked to recall what the hardest part about portraying her character, Caridad, was, Iza replied: “I didn’t want her to appear like a caricature. I asked Direk Mae (Cruz-Alviar) to help me humanize Caridad. I asked a lot of questions from Julie, whom we were fortunate enough to talk with. It was also good that she sent pictures to me.

“I wanted to make the audience understand that this woman could be anybody—she could even be me—it’s just that she was diagnosed with schizophrenia, and that means she suffers from hallucinations and delusions, and that she would have episodes,” Iza explained. “I wanted to portray a regular mother who has triggers but is still very real. All that she’s saying, whenever she’s having her episodes, aren’t delusional per se. They are still anchored in what’s happening in real life.”

Death anniversary

Meanwhile, Shamaine said she felt excited to have been offered the project. “Just like what Iza said, this was really meant for us. It’s so special because it’s part of MMK’s episodes for July, which is also the month of Julia’s death anniversary. I felt like it was a nudge from the universe to tell me that I’m on the right path. This, to me, is a very, very special project. It was hard to do, but very fulfilling.”

Iza said she got the call informing her of the project in June. “It was supposed to be for Mother’s Day, and my mother’s birthday is June 12. When I read the script—Ate Shamaine was right—it felt like the universe was telling me ‘you should do this!’ I know that there is a reason we were handpicked for this. Of course, we welcome a good challenge because that’s where we learn.”

A two-part series opened the month of July for MMK. It is the story of Andy (Zaijian Jaranilla) who takes up nursing as a college course in hopes of giving his family a better life—until his mother dies of chronic kidney disease. Not long after, his older siblings develop the same illness. Andy and his father Abe (Nonie Buencamino) try their best to live and fight. The story’s second part airs on July 10.

The July 17 episode features the love story of Tim and Jung Won (played by Ejay Falcon and Sunshine Kim). Despite coming from different cultures that have caused problems in their relationship, Tim and Jung Won prove how their love is tougher than any circumstance.

Joem Bascon and Denise Laurel play Emman and Maricar in a love story between a janitor and her boss that airs on July 31. Emman perseveres against the toughest of odds to attain his dreams for himself and for his wife.

“MMK” is open to viewers who would like to share their “Kwentong MMK” by sending an email to [email protected] or visiting mmk.abs-cbn.com. “MMK” airs every Saturday, 8:30 p.m. on the Kapamilya Channel and A2Z.