MANILA – It has been 22 years since “Bata, Bata… Pa'no Ka Ginawa?” was released but up to this day, Carlo Aquino remains grateful over the fact that Vilma Santos agreed to cast him as her son in the acclaimed film.

Aquino admitted this when he made a surprise appearance on Sunday’s “I Feel U,” which featured the veteran actress as its guest.

“[Thankful ako sa] pagtanggap niya sa akin na anak niya. Malaking malaking bagay iyon. Hindi siya nagdamot kahit isa na siyang Vilma Santos noon,” he said.

“Tinanggap niya ako, inalagaan niya kami ni Serena (Dalrymple) kaya sobrang thankful ako mommy na hanggang ngayon mahal mo ako,” he added.

Aquino also recalled what was going through his mind when he and Santos shot their iconic scene which requited the actress to slap him hard.

“Malakas eh. Naging adult ako bigla,” he said in jest.

Turning serious, Aquino said he’s proud to have done an emotionally charged scene with Santos, especially because he was just 13 at the time.

“Iba rin 'yung pakiramdam nung time na 'yun na ang kaeksena mo si Vilma Santos. 'Yung hinihingi nga ni direk Chito (Roño) sa akin noon, pagkasampal, humarap ako kaagad. Hindi ako makaharap. Sobrang lakas pero kailangan mo humarap kaagad. Ang daming nangyayari, ang dami kong iniisip,” he said.

At the end of the day, Aquino said he was able to pull off what’s required of his character with the help of Santos, Roño and Albert Martinez, who was also in the film.

“Never nila pinaramdam na superior sila. Talagang kapag kailangan ko ng tulong or ni Serena ng tulong, nandiyan sila,” he said.

Meanwhile, Santos was overwhelmed with all the praises Aquino showered her.

“Fulfillment ko 'yun as an actor, lalo na 'yung mga naging anak ko sa pelikula tapos nakikita ko sila ngayon, grown up na and at the same time, nakikita ko they turned out to be good actors. Ang gagaling,” she said.