TV host-actor Luis Manzano initially passed up on the chance to work with his mother, Star For All Seasons Vilma Santos in the forthcoming Star Cinema film, “In My Life.”

According to director Olivia Lamasan, Manzano flat out said no to the role of a gay librarian’s son when it was offered to him.

“We were shocked [when he did],” said Lamasan during the press conference for the movie held last Aug. 26 at Studio 1 inside the ABS-CBN compound.

The shooting for the movie stalled after Vilma won as Batangas governor because she asked for a year off to concentrate on public service. 

Lamasan pitched the role anew to Manzano during the lull. She told him to read the script and if he still doesn’t like the role, then she would accept his decision.

Manzano followed Lamasan’s advice and ended up agreeing to delineate the role of a lifetime.   

“Nagpataas lang ako ng presyo,” Manzano said with a chuckle. “It’s not that wala akong tiwala. Ang lagi kong ine-explain, iba pa rin ‘yung may hawak kang hard copy (script)). I knew there will be intimacy [between the two gay characters]. It came as a shocker but I know na kailangan talaga sa story.”

Manzano never imagined himself acting with his seasoned actress mom; an experience he describes as an eye-opener.

“Akala ko, puro romantic comedy lang ako. Akala ko, host-host lang ako, sayaw-sayaw,” Manzano said.

“[But with my mom in this movie], mas namulat ako sa mundo ng acting. I got to work with the best of the best --‘yung may mas mataas na level ang caliber of acting."