Jodi Sta. Maria, cast immersed in real hostess work in Japan for ‘Midnight Girls’
Jodi Sta. Maria and her co-stars immersed themselves in real-life hostess work in Japan as preparation for their roles in the upcoming film “Midnight Girls,” to get a deeper understanding of the lives of Filipina entertainers abroad.
The cast of “Midnight Girls” except Loisa Andalio, who recently gave birth, attended the film’s press launch and advance screening on Wednesday, April 15, in Quezon City, where they recalled their experience filming in Nagoya, Japan.
READ: Jodi Sta. Maria, Sanya Lopez, Loisa Andalio, Jane Oineza channel inner Sexbomb Girls
Sta. Maria shared that she and her fellow cast members spent three nights working in an “omise,” (shop or store) where they were treated as actual hostesses without the clients knowing their true identities.
“So, we spent parang three nights sa isang omise, kung saan kami nagtatrabaho. Walang nakakaalam sa mga Japanese clients na pumunta dun kung sino kami or kung bakit kami nandun. Ang alam lang nila, mga bago kaming salta na babae,” she said.
The actress recalled how they had to line up and be chosen by customers, while also learning how to entertain despite language barriers.
“So, kailangan naming mag-show up, kung saan kailangan naming pumila at pipili yung hapon kung sino sa amin ang gusto niyang makatable. May part din dun na i-entertain mo talaga sila. Kaya lang ang trick lang talaga ng language barrier. Pero hindi naman kami pinabayaan ng mga ‘mama’ namin dun. In-assist talaga nila kami,” she added.
Sta. Maria added that were also expected to perform tasks on demand, including singing and dancing, and even staged a mini-show during their immersion.
“Dun namin na-experience na yung mga chopsticks, sinisingit nila. Kasi yun yung parang [money] tip… dahil dun sa immersion namin, nagpapasalamat din ako dun dahil one month akong hindi gumastos… So, kumita din ako sa Japan.”
For Sta. Maria, the project stood out from the moment it was pitched, as it tackles stories of Filipino women working abroad.
“When it was first pitched to me… sabi ko, kakaiba. It’s something that I’ve never done before. And it’s about time to really just bring out… yung stories ng mga babae sa Japan,” she said.
The seasoned actress emphasized that while the film focuses on entertainers in Japan, it also reflects the broader sacrifices of overseas Filipino workers.
“Kung titignan mo talaga sa mas malaking lente, tinatackle dito yung sakripisyo, yung sitwasyon ng mga OFWs natin… We really had to treat this story with so much respect kasi story ito ng buhay ng bawat Pilipino na nasa labas ng bansa natin,” she said.
“We also wanted to humanize… Kasi sometimes merong mga stigma… makita na itong mga taong to ay may mga totoong pangarap… nagsasakripisyo, hindi lamang para sa sarili pero para sa mga mahal nila sa buhay,” added Sta. Maria.
Co-star Sanya Lopez, on the other hand, admitted feeling nervous while filming the opening scene, where they performed the SexBomb Girls hit “Bakit Papa.”
“Totoo po yung kaba namin doon… bilang entertainer, at nandun mismo yung mga entertainers… parang nangangapa ka, kung tama po ba yung ginagawa namin,” she said.
Sta. Maria described the same scene as one of the most challenging moments in the film.
“Sa lahat ng mga scenes na ginawa ko, parang yun yung talagang pinaka dinaga talaga ako… everyday, pinag-darasal ko na sana, not today, not today,” she said. “But wala ka naman ibang choice eh. Kailangan talagang gawin mo siya… So, thank you, Direk… for giving me a chance to be a sex-bomb dancer for one day.”
Meanwhile, Jane De Leon highlighted the responsibility of portraying the real-life experiences of Filipina entertainers they met during their immersion.
De Leon pointed out the stark contrast between the lively atmosphere of the clubs and the quiet solitude after work that the Filipina entertainers had to endure everyday.
“Pag nasa omise ka, ang ingay-ingay… Tapos pag uuwi ka na… biglang ang tahimik… mararamdaman mo na lang na, ah, ito, ganto’y nafeel niya… siguro times 10, times 20,” she added. “Kaya sabi ko yung responsibility na kami yung magkukuwento noon… yung voice nila nasa amin.”
Directed by Irene Villamor, “Midnight Girls” follows the intersecting lives of four Filipina entertainers in Japan. Sta. Maria plays Vicky, a single mother involved with a married Japanese man; Lopez portrays Paris, who reconnects with her first love; De Leon plays Saki, a transwoman secretly in love with Paris; while Loisa Andalio takes on the role of Wanna, a young Filipina pursuing a life in Japan.
The characters are based on real-life Filipina entertainers, with the film also incorporating interviews with their real-life counterparts. “Midnight Girls” is set to premiere on May 13. /edv
