Maricel Says Son Donny Pangilinan Washes The Dishes At Home, Just Like A ‘Regular Family Member’

“Simple lang hiling ko sa kanya. Don’t lose yourself.”

In a recent interview with PhilStar, Maricel Laxa shared this simple request along with insights into life at home with her son, actor Donny Pangilinan, especially as they collaborate on their first film together, GG (Good Game).

“And magaling si Donny dyan kasi meron siyang goal na ‘pag nasa bahay, si Donny lang siya. Hindi kami pwedeng humingi ng video greets. Hindi kami pwede humingi ng pa-picture.

“So kailangan ganito gagawin namin, ‘Donny, hugasan mo na yung mga plato. Inalagaan mo na ba yung kapatid mo? Nilabas mo na ba yung aso kasi isang regular member ka lang ng pamilya na ito so ganyan talaga tayo dito,” Maricel further said.

“Kaya hindi na ako umuuwi,” Donny joked in response to his mom.

It is evident how close-knit they are as a family, with Donny saying, “Walang pamilyang perpeko. Ang dami din naming pagkakamali, ang dami naming shortcomings, but I think at the end of the day, we choose each other.”

Lessons from GG

GG (Good Game), is almost a family affair. Aside from Donny and Maricel, other family members, including Donny’s sister, Hannah, serves as the film’s creative producer. Their dad and Maricel’s husband, Anthony Pangilinan, produced the film under his company, MediaWorks, along with MQuest Ventures, who co-financed the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) 2023 entries GomBurza and Penduko.

GG (Good Game) explores the relationship between Donny’s character, Seth, an eSports competitive gamer, and his mother, Iya. Donny said, “I think also the way the script was written, eSports wasn’t just the focus. Of course, it has eSports gaming and whatnot, but the family aspect is very deep also. Dito kasi hindi kami close and very different in real life.

“So, I think even just that, knowing that we’re gonna portray people who are super different from how we actually are, plus it’s a mother and son (story), I think that really intrigued us and that’s where the conversation (to do this film) started.”

Donny believes the film imparts valuable lessons, both about the eSports industry and bridging generational gaps within families. He expressed, “First of all, hindi biro yung eSports industry. Hindi sila dapat parang ibalewala. I have such great respect for eSports players, yung pro players, yung mga pinagdadaanan nila, you could really make a solid career out of it. And if you can go internationally, you can compete and represent your country as it’s a real sport.”

When it comes to family, he said, “Another one is the gap between parents and kids. Of course, with all the technology now, minsan mas lumalaki yan, ‘pag hindi sila aware, hindi nila alam kung ano yung pinagdadaanan ng anak. Pero hindi rin alam ng anak ang pinagdaraanan ng magulang.

“So, I think it’s really important to find that gap and to find a middle ground for both parties to be able to go through life together. Hindi yung bahala kayo dyan kung anong gusto nyong gawin. Then both parties are coming from somewhere so people would do stuff because they go through certain things in life…like Seth (my character) and Iya (my mom), I think it’s all about working together and seeing what we can do.”