Alden relives moments with real Mom
While filming "Family of Two: A Mother and Son Story" with Sharon Cuneta for Cineko Productions, Alden was flooded with memories of his late mother.
"It's been a while since my mom passed away, and I was able to relive my happy moments with her when I wasn't an actor yet. I wish she were with me now in this film," Alden said.
Alden shared that he felt a maternal connection with his on-screen mother, Sharon, while filming.
"Ms. Sharon was so motherly to me when we were doing this film. All our scenes together - light or heavy scenes — came easy. She was very supportive, along with Direk Nuel Naval, and, of course, thanks to Ms. Mel del Rosario's beautiful script.
"Overtaken by every line and all the scenes, I was very comfortable doing them... I wished I was doing all these with my real mother figure," he said.
Alden confirmed that he and Sharon had an instant connection on set, like a mother and son.
"We enjoy the same hobbies and watch the same things online - and our sentiments, our commitment to our craft and the industry are exactly the same.
"I truly appreciate our similarities, and I think that's one of the reasons we clicked on 'Family of Two: A Mother And Son Story,'" said Alden.
The Kapuso heartthrob is proud of his latest film, which is unique among all the films he has done, especially his last one, "Five Breakups and A Romance."
It's a dream come true for him to have worked with the megastar.
Alden said: "It's a different character I play here - from a cocky, spoiled rich kid (in '5 Break-ups')... 'Family of Two' revolves around two characters who have only each other in their lives.
"My character grew up with a single mother... I'm a sheltered son, an only son.
"That's where our story revolves as Mother and Son in the
film. "It's one of the films I dreamed of doing, given a chance to work with Mama, Ms. Sharon.. "Last film I saw her in was 'Caregiver,' which I really enjoyed so much.
After watching that, I felt it must be wonderful to work with Ms. Sharon as my Mom in a film.
"This is the physicalization and materialization of that wish.
"I pray that moviegoers would appreciate our dynamics as Mother and Son in this film.
"This is for the whole family, especially the single parents who are able to raise their children all by themselves. It also goes for children who do everything for their parents.
"This is for children who are proud of their parents and are not ashamed to show their affection for them publicly.
Alden added: "Our film fits well to be in the 2023 Metro Manila Film Festival, especially for people who grew up with a single mom/parent in their family.
"This is for them. This is for the family... Our message in this film is - 'It doesn't matter if there are only two of you in life, as long as there's love, there's someone you share it with in life, who's part of your family. Where love is there, where family is there.
"I didn't have any difficulty in doing this film. It was great fun. We did it breezily.
"Here's wishing that the MMFF moviegoers appreciate our film, especially all the Mothers and children who love their parents/mothers.
"Please support all the 10 films in the 2023 Metro Manila Filmfest, and appreciate their contents because, at the end of the day, what we want for our Filipino audience is to be entertained and, at the same time, bring back the glory of Philippine cinema," Alden added. (Robert R. Requintina)