After starring in the romantic drama Chances Are, You and I earlier this year, actress Kira Balinger followed it up with director Benedict Mique’s latest film Maple Leaf Dreams where she plays the role of Molly.

“Si Molly kaya umalis at gusto pumunta Canada kasi gusto niya iahon pamilya niya dahil naging sunod sunuran sila sa kamag-anak nila. Bale they’re living dun sa garage ng family member nila. So I think she won the battle of being the one na inaapi lagi. She managed to bring her family out of that position. Pero the battles that she lost, hindi ko puwede sabihin kasi spoiler kasi (laughs). Abangan niyo talaga kasi malaki yung loss. She loses something very, very special. Yun lang din masasabi ko. Wish I could tell you more,” she said.

READ: Director Benedict Mique proud of his new OFW film: ‘We have to tell more stories about them!’

During the Maple Leaf Dreams presscon, Kira was asked about the similarity of her project with another Pinoy film recently shot in Canada, Hello, Love, Again.

“Gaya ng sabi ni direk Bene (Mique), every OFW story deserves to be told. So yes, same location pero maaaring different story, different struggles, different plot twist. PInakamalaking difference is yung millieu which is Canada. Kasi even though may similar experiences yung mga pumupunta sa iba’t ibang bansa, may specific din na struggles yung nandun sa Canada.

"For example yung weather,  since tropical country tayo ang hirap ng adjustment sa weather sa Canada. And yung kind ng community na meron dun kung paano mag-a-adjust yung Filipinos from close-knit families sa Canada medyo isolated. Mas ma-fi-feel mo yung lamig ng holidays.

"We also try to incorporate yung spirit ng Gen Z kasi involved din yung element sa movie yung vlogging. Madami din kasing OFW na nag-va-vlogging from Canada so we also tried to incorporate that and how they were willing to risk it all for their dreams. Between being practical or being a believer, parang where do you stand and how much are you willing to risk for your dreams? We wanted to encapsulate that Canadian experience and at the same time, yung spirit ng youth na we want to dream for ourselves and for our family,” she shared.

READ: LA Santos reveals why he almost quit showbiz: ‘Mag-OFW na lang ako’

In real life, Kira revealed that her own sister is an OFW residing in Hong Kong.

“Matagal na sila dun. Actually before pa ako pinanganak. Like ever since dun na talaga yung buhay nila. Mahirap kasi maraming Christmases na dumaan na hindi kami magkakasama tapos yung huling beses na nakita ko yung kapatid ko at saka yung mga anak niya, mga maliliit pa sila, mga baby pa. Pero ngayon nakikita ko na sila through video call lang. They’re in Hong Kong now. Ang lapit lang pero hindi kasi sila basta basta nakakauwi kasi kailangan magtrabaho. So ang wish ko lang is sana mapanuod ng kapatid ko ito and it will touch her heart and itong movie na ito, it really is a love story para sa ating mga OFWs.

"Kung kami ni LA (Santos) na-challenge kami as actors to portray OFWs, imagine niyo na lang kung gaano kahirap para sa totoong OFW. Pero ito yung trabaho na mahal ko. I love portraying different types of roles so sobrang blessed ko na I get to be part of this story. That’s the magic of being an actor, how we will make you believe na kami (laughs),” she admitted.

Maple Leaf Dreams stars Kira Balinger, LA Santos, Joey Marquez, Ricky Davao, and Snooky Serna. Written and directed by Benedict Mique with writer Hannah Cruz. Now showing in theaters nationwide.