Director Jose Javier Reyes Pays Tribute To All Loyal Kasambahays In His Special Mother's Day Presentation, 'Our Mighty Yaya', Starring Ai Ai De Las Alas

DIRECTOR JOSE JAVIER REYES must really have a soft heart for “kasambahays”. In 2013, he did the touching film “Ano ang Kulay ng mga Nakalimutang Pangarap” that paid tribute to a loyal househelp, played by Rustica Carpio, who is dumped by the people she worked for all her life when they went abroad. That was heavy drama. Now, he pays homage to helpers once again in “Our Mighty Yaya”, but this time, it’s a comedy starring Ai Ai de las Alas. It opens in theaters on May 10 as Regal’s Mother’s Day presentation.

“The movie is inspired by our former househelp named Teresa,” he says. “Years later, I got to talk to her grandchild at doon ko na-realized na minamahal pala tayo ng mga kasambahay natin at hindi lang dahil sa sweldo kaya sila nagtatagal sa paglilingkod sa mga bahay natin. So ito yung tribute ko sa kasambahay namin.”

His last movie, “My Bebe Love”, was a huge blockbuster also starring Ai Ai. “She’s not just an actress working with me sa set but also a friend. We’re working as friends kaya mas maganda ang rapport namin kung paano mas mapapaganda ang bawat eksena at ang buong pelikula. Yaya siya rito ng mga anak ni Zoren Legaspi, who has a second wife, si Megan Young, na tumatayong stepmom ng mga bata. Magagaling yung mga batang gumanap na alaga rito ni Ai Ai, sina Lucas Magallano and Allison McBride. Marami silang mga riot na eksenang matatawa talaga ang viewers, along with Beverly Salviejo and Divine Aucina as the other housemaids.”