‘Firefly’ stars take stock of year that was, hopeful for 2024

There’s much to mull over, digest and absorb in the heartwarming yarn astutely spun by GMA Pictures and GMA Public Affairs’ Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) entry, “Firefly.”

Directed by Zig Dulay (“Bambanti,” “Paglipay,” “Black Rainbow,” “M,” “Maria Clara at Ibarra”), the must-see drama digs deep into the life lessons that empower and embolden an award-winning author (Dingdong Dantes) as he revisits his childhood and his mother’s (Alessandra de Rossi) reassuring story about a brave firefly. He then embarks on a journey with the hope of finally seeing the “light of a thousand fireflies.”

More than a story that tugs at viewers’ heartstrings, the film utilizes fireflies as metaphorical creatures that serve as beacons of hope, illuminating the streaks of frightful lightlessness in the darkest of days.

In the spirit of introspection and nostalgia that often come to us as a year draws to a close, Inquirer Entertainment asked the stars of “Firefly” to take stock of the things that transpired in their lives in 2023, what they’re proudest of, and what their plans, resolutions and aspirations are for the coming year.

ALESSANDRA DE ROSSI

The year 2023 has been my busiest year. It’s not like I was doing something every single month, but every time I would start a new production, other projects would come one after the other—or sabay-sabay. I’m not being ungrateful about this, but it can get tiring at my age.

My biggest accomplishment is, buhay ako (I’m alive). Kinaya ko. And to think I have no driver, no RM (road manager), no secretary. I don’t even have a calendar, pero natawid ko the whole year. That’s what I’m most proud of … I remember all the dates by memory only. I think I’m a superhero.

Marami akong gustong tapusin by 2024. Hopefully, hindi na sila umabot ng 2025, especially certain projects that I want to push out of my head kasi ang tagal nang nandyan, naka-bangko lang.

MIGUEL TANFELIX

I’m proudest of “Voltes V: Legacy.” Our adaptation even got us to Comic-Con in San Diego. Sobrang nakaka-proud s’ya because we didn’t expect that we Filipinos could pull off such a feat. So, 2023 has really been good to me.

This 2024, I want to be more consistent with everything I do and be more diligent in posting things [on social media].

YSABEL ORTEGA

This year has been great for me—in fact, it has been the best in terms of my career. I accomplished a lot of things I’m truly proud of. Highlights include “Voltes V: Legacy,” which aired this year, and “Firefly,” which isn’t just my first MMFF movie, but also my very first film. So, I’m thrilled to be part of them—both of which are also milestones for GMA.

Next year, I want to get fit—that’s always been my resolution every year. But I intend to keep that promise in 2024 and turn it into a routine. Mag-gym ako ng madalas. My second resolution is better time management, because I’m juggling two businesses at the moment, not to mention my show biz career. Hopefully, I can juggle them better and more neatly.

MAX COLLINS

It’s been a hard year for me. Medyo marami akong pinagdaanan in 2023. A lot of changes happened. And I’ve had many discoveries about myself. What I’m proudest of is my growth as a person. I feel more [like] an adult now than ever before, especially being a mom and seeing my son grow up. I’m really proud of him, and I’m proud of my journey this year as a mother.

For 2024, my plans are, hopefully, [to make] more movies. More work. More growth as a person and in business. Basically, I just want an upgrade in my life in 2024. When it comes to my aspirations, I want to be a better person overall—healthier, happier and living the best life I could have.

CHERRY PIE PICACHE

After the pandemic, it feels like you should just be grateful for everything. The year 2023, I think, has been a transition year. But it’s a happy transition because we all started working, and people started going out and engaging again. So, you can only feel gratefulness, ‘di ba?

Although, honestly, may part na parang, “Oh my, we’re back to normal.” You notice the traffic and people are starting to be in a rush again. During the pandemic, we appreciated the idea of taking things slow, to cease the day. Now, we’re rushing things again. But ‘yun nga, I can only feel grateful.

Personally, there were also a lot of changes that happened to me in 2023—reflections, decisions that were not easy to make. But I guess everything has a purpose. At the end of the day, you’re just thankful for being able to wake up every day.

What I’m proudest of is my courage. I have really learned to love myself more. No matter what, you carry on and just keep going—that’s what I’m proudest of.

For 2024, s’yempre, we always manifest, first, good health, then good work. Then, you wish only good things for your family—in my case, I want all of those for my son [Nio] and loved ones. Basta ma-maintain lang ‘yung peace. At my age, since I’m turning 54 next year, pa-settle na ako. It’s just the age wherein you want to settle and keep everything simple, but you’re still happy and peaceful.

YAYO AGUILA

My 2023 was great, particularly because I was in two teleseryes. After those, a regular sitcom came along, so super happy ako, career-wise. Family-wise, it’s always been steady, and I’m happy being with my kids. I was part of the GMA Pictures and GMA Public Affairs movie, “The Cheating Game.”

Then, just as 2023 was about to end, “Firefly” came along. I’m super grateful to GMA for making me part of their two films this year. As in, overflowing talaga ang gratefulness ko kay Ms. Nessa (Valdellon).

My major New Year’s resolution for 2024 is to save. As a mom, lagi ka namang nag-iipon. But then, unexpected situations compel you to use your ipon (savings)—I think it happens to almost everyone. So, that’s really my goal.

Also, I resolve to do my best in every work that is given to me. I want to be a good mother and a better person. I want self-care for my self-worth—I want to take better care of myself.

DIRECTOR ZIG DULAY

This 2023, I’m grateful for so many things that happened to me. I hope I haven’t reached my peak yet, but sobrang siksik talaga s’ya this year … like, nag-“Maria Clara at Ibarra” ako. Then, I went to France as member of the jury in an international festival—a first for me. Nag-judge ako last June, July sa Turkey.

After that, I shot “Firefly” till July. And I’m now taping for a new teleserye intended for next year. My year was full, at lahat sila puro “first”… lahat sila, sobrang dagdag sa experience ko, sa pagpapabuti ko sa aking craft as a storyteller. And I’m very thankful for all of them.

I’m looking for time to rest, but I’m not complaining. So many blessings are coming my way. So many projects that challenge me—projects that are very different from the ones I’ve done. “Maria Clara at Ibarra” is historical fantasy, while “Firefly” is magic realism. Even my next series is going to be very different. Sumakto ‘yung 2023 sa point na gusto kong makalabas sa comfort zone ko. ‘Yung mga dati kong ginawa, gusto kong madagdagan para ma-check ang sarili ko kung ano pa ang kaya kong gawin.

For 2024, siguro mas ma-push ko pa ‘yung self-compassion. Madalas kasi, nasasakripisyo ko ang sarili ko sa lahat ng ginagawa ko. So, I hope I can find time for myself para makapagmuni-muni where I am in my journey so far—kung saan ako pupunta, na mabalikan ko kung saan ako nanggaling para ma-ground ko ang sarili ko bilang ako para ‘yun ang magiging weapon ko sa mga susunod ko pang projects.

When I look at my projects for next year, wala akong pahinga (I won’t have time to rest). So, I really need to find more time for myself … and time to think about my other plans in life.