Nagoya’s neon lights look great from a distance, but for four Filipina entertainers, the view is a lot more complicated. Starring Jodi Sta. Maria, Sanya Lopez, Jane Oineza, and Loisa Andalio, Midnight Girls, dive into the grit behind the glitter as these women navigate the emotional toll of working far from home. It’s a story of sisterhood and survival that hits home for anyone who’s ever wondered: how much are you willing to give up to make your dreams a reality?
What made Irene Emma Villamor make a film about OFWs after a series of successful romance movies?
“Actually, nung binigay sa akin ‘yung konsepto, parang nung nag-immersion, sabi ko, at least hindi na pag-ibig na kwento, pero siyempre, pag-ibig pa din no? Pero welcome change sa akin kasi matagal ko na din talagang gustong magkaroon ng iba’t ibang paths. So, parang sobra akong privilege na makagawa ng kwentong ito. Mahirap pero parang masaya na, at least ibang lane naman na pwede kong ma-explore, kasi last kong nag-ensemble, ‘Camp Sawi’ pa, but ‘Camp Sawi’ is, mga sawi, mga brokenhearted, so pag-ibig din ‘yon. Pero ito, parang dealing with issues na parang mas societal, so parang sobra akong happy. Sana marami pa,” answers director Irene.
How was the casting process?
“For the cast, si Jodi (Sta. Maria) ‘yung Vicky. Siya talaga ‘yun, and then, from her, dun nag-isip ng mga artista na magkakaroon ng chemistry with her. Sa kanila (Jodi, Sanya, Jane, Loisa), wala sa kanilang audition, nag-pitch na kami and hopefully, tanggapin namin. So, dasal-dasal ‘yun. Nung tinanggap ni Ms. Jodi, sumunod na ‘yung iba na yes sila. So happy. For the Japanese cast, audition ‘yun, kasi nagpadala sila ng mga tapes,” direk Irene shares.
What were the cast members’ preparations, especially since you’re speaking Nihonggo in some of the scenes?
“Siguro meron kaming rehearsal ng coach namin. So, tinuturo niya kung paano ‘yung proper na pag-pronounce nung Nihonggo kasi medyo, siyempre gusto mo na maintindihan ka talaga ng kausap mo na Japanese diba. Hindi naman kami masyadong nahirapan, konti lang,” Sanya Lopez shares.
“So bukod dun sa kailangan naming araling magsalita ng Nihonggo, meron din kaming ginawang immersion. So, we spent parang three nights sa isang Omise (establishment) kung saan kami nagta-trabaho. Walang nakakaalam sa mga Japanese clients na pumunta doon kung sino kami or kung bakit kami nandoon. Ang alam lang nila, mga bago kaming salta na babae. So, kailangan naming mag-show up, kung saan kailangan naming pumila, at pipili ‘yung hapon kung sino sa amin ang gusto niyang maka-table. May part din dun na ie-entertain mo din sila, kaya lang ang thick nung language barrier, pero hindi naman kami hinayaan ng mga “mama” namin doon, in-assist talaga nila kami. And then, bukod doon, kung ano ‘yung sinabing ipapagawa nila, kumanta ka, kakanta ka, kung papasayawin ka nila, sumayaw ka. And there was one night as part of our immersion, nagkaroon kami ng parang mini show na may center stage wherein the four of us had to perform and then, doon namin na-experience na ‘yung mga chopsticks sinisingit nila, kasi ‘yun ‘yung parang tip, lapad, tapos ayun, dahil dun sa immersion namin, nagpapasalamat din ako doon dahil one month akong hindi gumastos para may pambili ako ng mga kape, ganyan. So, kumita din ako sa Japan,” Jodi adds.
What has Jane Oineza learned about the realities of an OFW through working on ‘Midnight Girls’?
“Unang una, na-meet namin sila, nakasama namin sila, nakita namin ‘yung daily lives nila doon, ano ba ang routines nila, paano sila nagsu-survive, ano ba ang ginagawa nila to pass the time, how do they prepare for work. So, ‘yun ‘yung reality ng everyday life nila, ‘yun ang na-discover ko doon. And ‘yung contrast din, I think, kapag nasa omise ka, ang ingay-ingay, ang daming sound, ang daming music, ang daming drinks, may tsikahan, tapos kapag uuwi ka na doon sa accommodation, biglang ang tahimik. Mararamdaman na siguro ganito nafi-feel niya, siguro times ten, times twenty, kasi they’re there longer and they’re doing it for a lot of reasons, their family, na nasa Pilipinas pa, or for themselves, ‘yung mga gusto nilang ma-achieve sa life. So, nakaka-proud, kaya nga sabi ko ‘yung responsibility na kami ang magku-kwento noon, ‘yung voice nila, nasa amin,” answers Jane.
The film, ‘Midnight Girls’ is set in Nagoya, Japan, about four Filipina entertainers who form a sisterhood while facing the emotional cost of their jobs. Together, they must decide what they are truly willing to sacrifice for their dreams in a foreign land.
Starring Sanya Lopez, Jane Oineza, Loisa Andalio, and Jodi Sta. Maria, with Carmi Martin, Shamaine Buencamino, Zaijan Jaranilla, Miggy Jimenez, Nor Domingo, with special participation of Meryll Soriano. Written and directed by Irene Emma Villamor.
In cinemas May 13, 2026, from TJAV Productions, Inc. as their first film.
Watch our coverage of the press screening talk back: