Kira Balinger, LA Santos recall past frustrations in ‘Maple Leaf Dreams’

Kira Balinger and LA Santos during the premiere of “Maple Leaf Dreams.” Image: Instagram/@starmagicphils

Kira Balinger and LA Santos confessed there was a point when they thought of quitting showbiz for good. However, they didn’t give in to these thoughts because they couldn’t imagine themselves anywhere else.

In their new film “Maple Leaf Dreams,” Balinger and Santos portray the lovestruck couple Macky and Molly who moved to Canada for greener pastures. But the reality of living abroad and shifting to different lifestyles kicked in, denting their relationship.

Touching on the film’s theme of frustration, the young actors were asked in an intimate press conference if there was a point where they wanted to leave showbiz for good.

“May times na gan’un. Pero d’un talaga natin masasabi kung gusto ba talaga natin, kasi [kung gusto mo naman talaga ang ginagawa mo], hindi ka susuko. D’un ang test ng character mo as a person. Happy ako na nandito pa rin ako,” Santos told reporters.

(There was a time I did. But this is where the topic of what you truly wanted comes in. If you really love what you do, you will not give up. This tests your character as a person. I’m happy that I’m still here.)

Balinger, on the other hand, said being an actress is not only about the glamor, but also dealing with its “unfairness” behind the scenes. “Marami pong beses na gusto kong sumuko sa pagiging artista.”

“Ang nakikita kasi ng mga tao is the glamorous side [ng showbiz] and everything, pero ang hindi nakikita kung gaano ka-unfair and kahirap sa industry,” she continued. “Kapag nai-imagine na suko ako sa pagiging artista, what happens next?”

(I thought about that a lot of times. What people see is only the glamorous side and everything. But people don’t see how unfair and tough the industry can be. When I imagine myself giving up on being an actress, what happens next?)

Balinger then shared that such negative thoughts are reminders of how much she loves to act.

“What will I want to be? Parang kapag nag-iisip ako ng ibang gawin sa buhay, it doesn’t sit right with me. Mahal na mahal ko ang pagiging actress. I can’t imagine myself na gumagawa ng ibang trabaho (What will I want to be? When I think about what can I do differently in life, it doesn’t sit right with me. I really love being an actress. I can’t imagine myself doing a different job),” she said.

How Kira, LA view their characters

With 80% of the film done in Canada, Balinger and Santos were thrust into the reality of their characters. They did their own commutes and settled into administrative and restaurant-related roles to understand what Macky and Molly went through.

“Siya ‘yung nagtatayong sa pader para sa mahal niya sa buhay. Siya ‘yung laging nandyan sa mga kapatid niya at kay Molly. ‘Yun ang naging challenge niya,” Santos said of his character. “Sa [Pilipinas], manager siya. Pero paglipat niya sa Canada, naging janitor at waiter lang.”

(He stood as the pillar for his loved ones. He’s always there for his siblings and Molly, but it was a challenge. He was a manager in the Philippines. But when he moved to Canada, he was relegated to a janitor and waiter.)

Santos said portraying Macky exposed him to the realities OFWs go through.

“Gusto namin gawin ang best para sa mga taong mahal namin at maging totoo [ito]… kahit mahirap, masasabi ko na ang pelikulang ‘to ay part ng journey ko to become a better person (We wanted to do our best for our loved ones, and for it to be real. Even though it’s hard, I can say this film became a part of my journey to become a better person),” he added.

Kira Balinger and LA Santos during a press conference for “Maple Leaf Dreams.” Image: Hannah Mallorca/INQUIRER.net

On the other hand, Balinger said she touched into Molly’s rage to give her character justice. “Gusto niyang iahon ang kanyang pamilya. Naging sunud-sunuran nila sa kamag-anak nila, and they’re living in the [garage of their home].”

“I think she won the battle of being inaapi lagi,” she continued. “She managed to bring her family out of that position. But she [lost battles too]. She loses something very special to her.”

The Benedict Mique-helmed film is a full-length entry to the Sinag Maynila 2024 festival which ran from Sept. 4 to 10.

Other full-length entries included “Banjo,” “The Gospel of the Beast,” “Her Locket,” “What You Did,” “Salome,” and “Talahib (Legend of the Tall Grass).”