Kapuso actor Paolo Contis disclosed how he connects with his latest project that tackles the themes of elderly disease and memory loss.
The cast of the upcoming film, Ikaw At Ako, which showcases everlasting love stories spanning three generations, was interviewed by The Phillipine STAR last Tuesday, December 5.
One of the topics discussed in the interview was one of the movie’s storylines which revolves around an elderly couple, portrayed by veteran actors Ronaldo Valdez and Boots Anson Roa-Rodrigo, struggling with the effects of memory loss disease.
The STAR particularly asked the main cast members, Boots, as well as Rhian Ramos and Paolo Contism, for their thoughts on Alzheimer’s and dementia.
For Paolo’s part, the actor shared about his mother, Jean Contis, and her fight with stroke and memory loss, which made the topic of Alzheimer’s relatable to him.
“Yes, I can relate to the topic, but hindi dementia yung sa mom ko. Because when my mom suffered her second stroke, mas lumala yung long-term memory niya,” he said.
Due to the actor’s connection to the film, he admitted that it encouraged him to create more meaningful memories and to value time spent with loved ones in the present.
“Naging personal siya sa akin kasi simula na nagyari yun mas aware ka na sa dapat mong gawin. Na ang dami na niyang nakalimutan, minsan may pag-uusapan kami, for example, napagkwentuhan namin ang isang bagay five years ago, ‘di na niya maalala,” Paolo shared.
“Meron lang konting panic on my part to make better memories now because yun na ang naalala niya ngayon,” he added.
According to the actor, making happier memories with her Mommy Jean has a positive effect on her recovery as it motivates her to do therapy.
“So, thankfully, gusto niya kasi siempre gusto ko pa humaba ang buhay para ‘yung mga nawala, pwede natin palitan ng bago. (It’s) scary but the good thing about it, you’re aware. So when you’re aware you have time para gawan siya ng paraan,” the former child star said.
In addition to their takes on Alzheimer’s. the cast was asked about the film’s title and to whom they would dedicate the line “Ikaw At Ako” to.
Paolo chose his Mommy Jean, reminiscing the days when she was not afflicted by her disease and expressing his regrets for “taking them for granted”.
“Naniniwala ako na sa panahon na okay siya, nung wala pa siyang stroke, I really took her for granted. Especially with my Mom, who’s a bit of a stage mother, there came a point where every time she was on set, you’d get irritated, and it’s wrong. Lahat naiisip mo yun,” the E.A.T host recalled.
He continued, “Now, feeling ko may race akong kailangan matapos bago siya mawala sa mundong ito na mapa-feel ko sa kanya na mahal na mahal ko siya.”
Paolo aired about the weight of his responsibility to take care of his mother without the presence of his late father.
“I believe kelangan ko magawa ko sa Mommy ko yun, especially that I don’t have a father anymore, my dad died 10 years ago. So, ako nalang at kuya ko ang meron siya. So, dapat kasama kuya ko, ‘kami at ikaw’,” he explained.
Directed by Rechie del Carmen under Viva Films, Ikaw at Ako is now showing in cinemas nationwide.
