Call Me Mother

Twinkle is a single queer mother who has built a life around her young son, Angelo, and dreams of making their bond official through adoption. Her plans are upended when Mara, the child's biological mother, suddenly appears and asks to be part of Angelo's life again. The movie follows the messy, often funny negotiations that follow, as Twinkle, Mara and the people around them sort out emotions, legal questions and shifting loyalties. Scenes move between broad comedy and quieter drama, showing how affection, responsibility and public opinion complicate what seems like a simple desire to secure a family for a child.

Directed by Jun Robles Lana and created by Daisy G. Cayanan and Daniel Saniana, Call Me Mother premiered in 2026. The Filipino comedy-drama stars Vice Ganda as Twinkle, Nadine Lustre as Mara, with Lucas Andalio, Chanda Romero and Carmi Martin in key supporting roles.

Theatrical release focused on the Philippines and box office reporting has been limited, with few widely publicized grosses. Coverage emphasized audience conversations and performances rather than detailed commercial totals, so public figures for worldwide revenue remain sparse.

The film sparked conversations about queer parenting and legal recognition in the Philippines, partly because Vice Ganda is a major mainstream personality. Clips and lines from scenes circulated on social media, and viewers used the movie as a starting point to talk about family structures, acceptance and how popular films portray LGBTQ+ lives.

Early reception was mixed, reflected in modest ratings such as a 6.0/10 user average on some platforms. Reviewers tended to praise the chemistry between the leads and the film's humor, while noting uneven tone and pacing at times. Recurring themes include chosen family, motherhood and the difference between legal status and emotional care, with standout performances anchoring the story even when the script shifts between farce and sincerity.