Mike Talplacido on diversity in Hollywood and making his debut film 'In This Moment'

GMA Network

2 days ago

"Filmmaking has always been in my DNA," said Mike Talplacido, a Fil-Am filmmaker who is set to make his debut film, "In This Moment."
Growing up in the town of Sta. Rosa in Nueva Ecija, Philippines, Talplacido was raised by teacher-parents—Bonifacio and Edna, the latter passed away in 2018.
"I have three sisters, and I'm the second oldest," he told us in an email interview. "Yes, I'm the only filmmaker in the family. My parents were both very supportive of me, thankfully. I think it's also because I pursued it more later in my life. I just wish my mom were still here to see some of the work I've done. I've been dedicating most of my projects to her. In fact, in the last three short films I made, I named the Filipina mom character after her: Edna. Princess Punzalan, Maria Isabel Lopez, and Evie Abat have all played moms named Edna in those films."
Although he didn't have any formal training in filmmaking—he's business alum of De La Salle University and took his MBA at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill—had been exposed to movies early on in his life, thanks to his father.
"When I was a child, my dad often took us to the movies. We watched films starring FPJ (Fernando Poe Jr.) and Dolphy, but I had a soft spot for dramas, especially those featuring movie icons like Vilma Santos, Nora Aunor, and Sharon Cuneta. Growing up in the '90s, I became deeply immersed in pop culture. Ask me anything about the Regal Babies, the Gwapings, or the soap operas of that era, and we could talk for hours. Add in a conversation about Hollywood movies, and I'd be set! Year after year, I made it a point to watch all the Oscar-nominated films and tune in to every award show."
He added, "So yes, it might sound cliché, but the love of film is in my DNA. I'm just glad I've been able to pursue filmmaking in a more formal capacity now, but that passion has been with me from the very beginning."
Contributed photo
Now the multi-disciplinary artist (he is a podcast host, author, writer, performer, and director) is based in North Carolina. His podcast, "Kiss My Mike," primarily focuses on topics related to LGBTQIA+ issues, AAPI advocacy, increasing Filipino/x visibility in film and entertainment, and uplifting other creatives.
As a published author, Mike wrote and published a memoir titled "Kiss My Mike" in June 2021. The memoir navigates sexuality and racial identity, interwoven with his pursuit of the American dream, the pressures of a religious family, and the ultimate quest for acceptance.
He has also done "The Perfect Couple" (short, 2022), "To Ken with Love" (short, 2023), #DONT (stage play, 2023) and "The Manalos" (short, 2025).
We asked him why his debut feature film, "In This Moment," is a passion project for him.
He replied, "In This Moment is a passion project for me for two reasons. First, the story is deeply personal. While not autobiographical, it reflects much of who I am, my experiences, and the people who have shaped them.
"It follows an interracial LGBTQ couple in North Carolina grappling with infidelity, guilt, and the quiet labor of caring for an elderly parent. Think Marriage Story by Noah Baumbach, but centered on an interracial queer couple, one Filipino American like myself, and one a white North Carolina native like my husband, Chris.
"Many elements are drawn from real life. The caregiving aspect mirrors our own experience caring for my husband's father, who recently passed away at age 95, and how such responsibilities can strain a relationship, compounded by family tensions, past trauma, and work pressures.
"The infidelity thread, while not part of my marriage today, comes from earlier life experiences, both as someone who had made the mistake of being unfaithful and as someone who has been betrayed. There are also layers about identity, including the pain of family rejection for being LGBTQ, reflected in the narrative.
"All of these make the story deeply personal to me, and why this project is so close to my heart.
"Second, my husband and I are in the process of moving to the West Coast. In a way, this film is an homage to what has been my home for the past 17 years, and for my husband, it has been his home since the beginning. It's my love letter to North Carolina.
"It's also an opportunity to tell a story set against the backdrop of the American South, but featuring an interracial LGBTQ couple. I don't often see narratives like this represented on screen. As we know, Filipino Americans are everywhere in the U.S., including the South, so it's important to tell stories about them and the places they call home. That makes this project especially meaningful to me."
The LGBTQ drama, "In This Moment," stars upcoming Fil-Am actor Zeus Oira who is based in Southern California as Luis and John Wilkins III of Paramount+'s "The Game" and BET's "Bigger." Wilkins plays David, husband of Luis.
Zeus Oira and John Wilkins III. Contributed photos
For the casting in his debut movie, he used "Actors Access/Breakdown Express as our main platform to find the cast. We were so fortunate to discover such amazing talent, including Zeus Oira, an up-and-coming Filipino American actor, who plays the lead role of Luis, and John Wilkins III, who previously appeared in the film The Menu starring Ralph Fiennes and Anya Taylor-Joy, and who plays his husband, David. All of the other cast members were also found through our postings on Actors Access or on social media."
Now based in North Carolina, Talplacido revealed what living in North Carolina has taught him. "It has taught me many things. One of the most important things is that no matter where you live in the world, there are far more things that unite us than divide us. Yes, we all come from different and diverse backgrounds, but at the most fundamental human level, in our core emotions and life experiences, we are all the same. We all experience happiness, joy, pain, guilt, and resentment in various forms. So, I hope this story resonates with people and allows them to see themselves in it, regardless of their backgrounds.
"In terms of why I chose North Carolina, I moved here in 2008 to pursue higher education, earning my MBA from UNC Chapel Hill. Since then, I have built my life here, found a place I can truly call home in the U.S., and, most importantly, found the love of my life."
He confessed that he has always been drawn to storytelling. "Back in 2004, during the Blogspot era, I started a blog called Kiss My Mike, which is where my nickname came from. I kept the blog going until 2008, writing entirely anonymously. I eventually stopped because I felt the pressure to hide my identity, especially since I was pursuing a different career at the time while finishing my MBA.
"Then, in 2018, my mom passed away. She was the most important person in my life, though our relationship was not without its complexities. Her passing inspired me to write a memoir, also titled Kiss My Mike, which I self-published in 2021. And that book marked the beginning of my creative journey.
"During COVID-19, I connected with many other Filipino filmmakers through the audio app Clubhouse. I began collaborating with them, and that's when I wrote my first short film, 'The Perfect Couple.' Several months later, we filmed it in California, starring Princess Punzalan, Camille Aragon, and Julian Bataclan. From there, I continued making short films, each one teaching me more and deepening my love for the craft. I also wrote and produced a stage play called #DONT, which premiered at the Hollywood Fringe Festival to five sold-out performances. And now, I'm working on my first feature film. I truly hope to keep creating stories for many years to come."
He said that it wasn't easy to be a queer Filipino trying to break into the entertainment industry.
"Breaking into the entertainment industry not only as a queer person but also as a person of color, is full of challenges," he pointed out. "I don't even know where to begin. For one, there is still a lack of representation for our stories, both on screen and behind the scenes. Recent reports showing that diversity in Hollywood is actually eroding make this even more heartbreaking, especially when compounded by current socio-political factors.
"Beyond that, there is always a shortage of financial support for queer and POC filmmakers. Access to resources to get films made is limited, so I find myself relying heavily on the community for support, whether that's through sharing our stories, uplifting each other's work, or helping us connect with audiences who need to see themselves represented.
"But I remain optimistic. I know it's possible, so let's do this!"
Representation, he added, is important because "it shapes culture and influences behavior. The more we see ourselves reflected, the more others, who may not know much about us, can see us too. I believe this fosters empathy. It reminds us that, even though we come from diverse backgrounds, whether in race, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status, there is so much we share. The emotions I mentioned earlier remind us that, at our core, we are more alike than we may think."
As for the challenges he encountered so far in the making of his LGBTQ drama film, Talplacido said, "Since we are an indie production, we have to do as much as we can with as little as we have. That means being creative in addressing some of the challenges we face in production, such as art design and locations. So while we may not be able to film in a studio, we've been able to find practical, affordable locations that still work perfectly for the story.
"Fortunately, I have an amazing team. I'm working with two producers: Miralee Menzies, who owns Menzies Talent Agency and is one of my co-producers. We previously collaborated on '#DONT' and on my last short film, 'The Manalos.' Our other producer is Lily Patel, a writer and actor who has worked on many other film projects. And with such a great team, I'm confident we can address any challenges that are still yet to come."
As for his idols in filmmaking, he names Luca Guadagnino at the top of his list.
"I'm a big fan of Luca Guadagnino. His films, such as 'Call Me By Your Name,' 'Queer,' and 'Challengers,' are some of my favorites. I love how his storytelling evokes such deep emotion, grounded yet emotionally expansive. If I can create a film that captures even a fraction of what he has been able to achieve, I'd be happy.
"I also admire filmmakers like Yorgos Lanthimos, Denis Villeneuve, Christopher Nolan, and Danny Boyle for their bold visions and distinctive storytelling styles. Among AAPI directors, I'm especially inspired by Jon M. Chu and the incredible work he has been doing. I also hold deep admiration for Ang Lee, Bong Joon-ho, and Celine Song, whose storytelling continues to push boundaries, elevate representation, and resonate with audiences worldwide.
"Honestly, I just love filmmakers. I respect what each and every one of them is doing — it's hard work!"
As for his dream project, he admitted that it would be a dream to make a film in the Philippines.
"It's one of those potential full-circle moments that would allow me to pay homage to my hometown and my culture. I would also love the opportunity to work with Philippine-based actors and actresses. There is so much incredible talent there, and I would be honored to collaborate with them in the future.
"Aside from 'In This Moment,' which is a dream project for me, I hope to adapt my memoir 'Kiss My Mike' into a feature film. It's the story of a gay Filipino immigrant navigating both his sexual and racial identity, kind of like 'Sex and the City' meets 'Emily in Paris' but centering on a gay Filipino immigrant in his 20s.
"I would also love to adapt my stage play #DONT into a feature film. I've been workshopping the script and entering it into screenplay competitions to make it the best it can be, and I'm happy with the successes so far. My dream is to bring together some of the most talented Filipino and Filipino American cast and crew for that project, elevating our stories and sharing them with a worldwide audience.
"I think it's okay to dream, right? But it's also important to keep doing the work—keep writing, keep pushing in hopes that some day, the stars will align, and we'll find ourselves actually living our dreams." —MGP, GMA Integrated News