'Inang Yaya': A tale that tugs at the heart strings

Diamond star Maricel Soriano returns to the silver screen in Inang Yaya. During a November 10 press conference at the Big Buddha restaurant in Greenbelt 3, Maricel recalls her initial reaction after she read the script: "Nung binasa ko yung synopsis, iba yung dating, may katok sa puso."

To leave one's child and to take care of another is the irony being tackled in this movie produced by Unitel Pictures. Inang Yaya tells the heart-tugging story of Norma (Maricel) who is compelled to turn her back on daughter Ruby (Tala Santos) so she can attend to her duties as nanny to Louise (Erika Oreta). Norma is forced to bring her daughter Ruby to live with her in Louise's house, causing the two seven-year old girls to compete with one another for the love and attention of the mother figure.

Apart from portraying an all-around, affectionate nanny, Maricel proudly points out that it is her first time to be a co-producer in a film. She co-produced Inang Yaya together with Unitel's head honcho Tony Gloria. "Si Wyngard [Tracy, Maricel's manager] gusto lang namin mag-try [mag-produce]. [As it turned out,] nag-enjoy ako ng husto dito. Maganda yung istorya. Yung puso ko narito."

Tala, the soft-spoken daughter of Golden Screen Award's Best Supporting Actor Soliman Cruz, plays the role of Ruby, Maricel's daughter in the movie. It is interesting to note that Tala opted not to attend acting workshops, relying instead on her father to serve as her acting coach.

The outgoing Erika admits that she has always wanted to become an actress. When asked who among the two took up acting workshops, Erika quickly responded by raising her hand.

Actor Zoren Legaspi, who plays the role of Louise's busy dad, narrates that he readily accepted the role when it was offered to him. "[I accepted the role] because of the directors. Open sila sa suggestion ng artista, unlike yung ibang beterano, medyo close-[minded] na."

This film from Unitel Pictures is directed by Pablo Biglang-awa Jr. and Veronica Velasco. Screenwriter Veronica says that her inspiration in writing Inang Yaya is Yaya Tess—the nanny of her real-life daughter Louise. In writing the script, she conducted research by collecting information from the Visayan Forum Foundation—a non-profit organization that promotes the Domestic Workers' Bill or the Batas Kasambahay.

Inang Yaya is a heart-warming tribute to all the yayas who provide their wards with their presence, love and care—the people who fill the gap when parents momentarily leave the household to fulfill other obligations.

It will be shown nationwide starting November 29.