Metro Manila, Philippines—The heartfelt tale of a grandfather and a child navigating life’s challenges resonated deep with Filipinos.

Netflix’s latest family film, “Lolo and the Kid,” stars veteran actor Joel Torre alongside award-winning child star Euwenn Mikael Aleta.

The film tells the story of Torre adopting Aleta as they embark on a journey to con the wealthy to make ends meet.

In an interview with NewsWatch Plus, Torre said the film’s core message is the universality of love and family.

“Ito yung kwento ng pagmamahal so that’s the bottom line and pinaka-challenge doon you have to set them free, so ang sakit. It’s a noble cause but you have to make your sacrifice,” Torre shared.

[Translation: This is the story of love, so that’s the bottom line. The biggest challenge is that you have to set them free. It’s painful. It’s a noble cause, but you have to make your sacrifice]

Aleta echoed Torre’s sentiments. “Tama si Tito Joel. If you love somebody, you have to let go. Pero if you love somebody you have to do everything for them,” he said.

[Translation: Tito Joel is right: If you love somebody, you have to let go. But if you love somebody, you have to do everything for them.’]

Torre said he took on the project because the material is compelling. He also expressed his gratitude to co-stars Iza Calzado, Markki Stroem, Meryll Soriano, and Joem Bascom, for their cameo roles.

“It’s a once-in-a lifetime you’re offered this project sa edad mong ito na napakaganda and I said right away by the strength of the script and the story, I said yes, knowing na may dating ito may patama,” Torre said.

[Translation: It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be offered this project at your age, which is so wonderful. I immediately said yes, because of the strength of the script and the story, knowing that it has impact and a message]

“Maganda ang synopsis, noong ginawa po itong movie na-realize ko mas maganda pa pala itong movie kaysa sa synopsis,” the child actor added.

[Translation: The synopsis was good, but I realized the movie turned out to be even better than I expected]

Torre commended Aleta’s acting skills, noting that he did not need to impose or instruct the young actor who has an inherent talent. He said he believes that the industry is “in good hands” with emerging talents like Aleta.

“Akala ko mahihirapan kami yung adjustment period but once we hit it tuloy tuloy. We knew we were doing something special, walang turuan, acting is co-acting, acting is reacting, bigayan kami and it shows,” Torre remarked.

[Translation: I thought we would struggle during the adjustment period, but once we hit our stride, everything flowed smoothly. We knew we were creating something special. There was no need for instruction—acting is co-acting and reacting. We gave each other space, and it shows.]

Aleta dreams of international film projects and has already garnered accolades, including FAMAS Best Child Actor and the 2023 Metro Manila Film Festival Best Child Actor awards for the GMA film Firefly.

Torre has a career spanning five decades with 10 acting awards including a Gawad Urian and 19 nominations.