“The real come home.”
The Filipino-speaking grandmother of the character of Ned Leeds in “Spider-Man: No Way Home” was spotted in her hometown in Iloilo City.
Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas shared that Mary Egida Rivera paid him a courtesy call on October 5, saying that she is a “certified Ilongga.”
“A representation of every Filipino Lola in a movie, Mary Rivera, visited my office,” he shared on Facebook.
“We are very glad to have an Ilongga adored by Filipino viewers and loved by foreigners. We hope she enjoys her stay in the City of Love,” Treñas added.
The mayor also shared pictures of Mary and a screengrab of her appearance in the 2021 Hollywood movie.
Mary is reportedly a local of the La Paz district in Iloilo.
She also studied at the University of San Agustin, where she was with the university cultural arts troupe, the Kawilihan–USA.
Mary’s visit to Iloilo expectedly delighted residents who shared their thoughts in the comments section of Treñas’ post.
“That’s the real come home,” a Facebook user said.
“Oh wow… I’m was (sic) so happy to know that there was another Filipina character in a Hollywood [movie]… there’s a [representation]. Not only that she is Filipina, but she’s also an Ilongga…” another online user wrote.
Mary played Ned’s grandmother who exchanged a few lines with Andrew Garfield, who played an alternate version of Spider-Man’s Peter Parker.
Ned, meanwhile, is played by Jacob Batalon, an actor born and raised in Hawaii to Filipino parents.
“Spider-Man: No Way Home” is the 27th film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It serves as the sequel to “Spider-Man: Homecoming” and “Spider-Man: Far From Home.”
