Actress Kira Balinger, known for her role as an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) in the film “Maple Leaf Dreams,” finds a deep personal connection to the story. This connection stems from her own family experience, as her older sister has been living and working in Hong Kong for many years.

“My sister and her family moved to Hong Kong even before I was born. It’s been really tough for us to be apart, especially during the holidays. We’ve spent numerous Christmases without them, and the last time I saw my sister and her children in person was when the kids were still babies. Now, I watch them grow up through video calls. Although Hong Kong is geographically close, my sister’s work commitments make it difficult for them to visit us frequently,” Kira shared during a recent lunch with reporters.

In “Maple Leaf Dreams,” Kira stars opposite LA Santos in a romantic drama directed by Benedict Mique. “I hope my sister gets to watch this film and that it touches her heart. This movie is a tribute to all OFWs and their sacrifices,” Kira added.

The narrative of “Maple Leaf Dreams” follows the characters Macky and Molly, portrayed by LA Santos and Kira Balinger respectively, as they embark on a journey to Canada in search of better opportunities for their families. Their path is fraught with challenges that test their love and determination to achieve their dreams.

Portraying Molly was a humbling experience for Kira. She explained, “Our characters’ lives are very different from how LA and I live. The challenge was to authentically depict their experiences and emotions, even though we haven’t lived through similar situations ourselves.”

“For us, this role carried a significant responsibility,” Kira emphasized. “To prepare, LA and I engaged in immersions where we experienced commuting on our own. We also participated in several acting workshops. We needed to internalize all these experiences and bring them to Canada to portray our characters realistically. For me, the emotional struggle was the hardest part.”

Kira highlighted the importance of family as a source of comfort, no matter where one is. “Molly left the country not out of a desire to become wealthy but to provide her family with a better life. It pains her to see them struggle,” she said.

At 24, Kira has faced moments of doubt about her career in showbiz. “I love acting and taking on different roles, but there have been many times when I’ve thought about quitting. People only see the glamorous side of our work, but the industry can be incredibly challenging and unfair to actors. Whenever I consider quitting and ask myself what’s next, nothing else feels right. I love being an actress, and I can’t imagine doing anything else. So, I’ll keep fighting,” she confessed.

During the media gathering, Kira was asked about her chemistry with LA Santos, her leading man. They first met on the set of the now-defunct drama series “Ang Sa’yo ay Akin,” where Kira was paired with Grae Fernandez. She dismissed rumors that they were dating by jokingly saying, “Do you want us to become a couple? Let’s do a survey first.”

Kira elaborated on their working relationship, noting that their long-standing friendship helped them portray their characters more effectively. “We’ve developed trust in each other over the years. Director Bene was instrumental in guiding us through the challenges of this film,” she said.

She added, “Some scenes reveal our real-life relationship dynamics—how we tease each other and deliver our lines with vulnerability. And today, LA admitted he has a crush on me.”

When asked about her feelings for LA, Kira playfully replied, “Secret! He’s lucky!”

The film’s production took place predominantly in Toronto, Canada, with 80% of the scenes shot on location. The cast includes notable actors like Joey Marquez and Snooky Serna, who play Molly’s parents, and Ricky Davao, who portrays Macky’s father.

“Maple Leaf Dreams” is an official entry to the 2024 Sinag Maynila Film Festival, scheduled from September 4 to 8 in select local cinemas. The film will have its nationwide release starting September 25. It is produced by 7K Entertainment, Lonewolf Films, and ABS-CBN’s Star Magic, and distributed by Quantum Films.