The best thing that ever happened to Irma Adlawan

She is one of theater’s most respected actresses. A Speech and Drama major from the University of the Philippines – where she trained as a member of Dulaang UP under the master himself, Tony Mabesa, in the early ’80s – Irma Adlawan is becoming known to a whole new generation of viewers, thanks to her work on TV and in digital and independent films.

One of the best things to happen to the beleaguered movie industry is the strong emergence of digital films and independent filmmakers. "It’s a good thing. Digital films are much cheaper to make. Di ka na gagastos sa negatibo," observes Irma.

Irma has always been passionate about her career, but this development excites her even more. Irma was last seen in the digital film ICU Bed #7, starring veteran actor Eddie Garcia as a dying man who must make peace with his family. Shown during the recent Cinemalaya film festival, ICU Bed #7 also starred Irma and actress-model Angel Aquino as his daughters.

Irma also appears in Sa North Diversion Road, a movie shot for TV. It is another play adopted for film, and will be shown on Cinema One, as part of the Cinema One Originals. Sa North Diversion Road is a play by Tony Perez about different couples and how they deal with the problem of infidelity while traveling along the North Diversion Road – hence the title of the film. It is told in a series of vignettes, and was directed and adapted for film by Irma’s husband Dennis Marasigan. Also starring in the movie is character actor John Arcilla.

Then finally, there’s Mga Pusang Gala, which will be screened on July 26 at Greenbelt. Written by Jun Lana and Rody Vera, produced and directed by Ellen Ongkeko-Marfil, Mga Pusang Gala was shown in the recently-concluded Pink Film Festival. Mga Pusang Gala also stars Ricky Davao as a gay man. Irma plays his best friend, and the thing the two of them have in common is a frustration with relationships. "Lagi silang frustrated sa love life nila," laughs Irma.

The film created quite a stir during its Pink Film Festival run because of its sex scenes. "Yes, there are sex scenes in it – hetero and homo," she says.

Digital films, like theater, do not pay much. In Irma’s case, that is pretty much taken care of by television. Irma shares that she actually started doing TV before she even got into film. One of her first few TV appearances was in the TV drama Angkan, with Behn Cervantes, in the late ’80s. Then she took a break to get married and raise a family, after which she returned to theater. She only came back to TV at the behest of Ricky Davao, to do an episode of Calvento Files, which he’d been tapped to direct.

TV and commercial film works pay well; the only problem is the interminable wait which Irma, coming from theater, isn’t used to. "Dennis once shared this quote with me that says, ‘(On TV), I do the acting for free; they pay me to wait.’ When the waiting gets difficult, ganoon na lang daw ang isipin ko," she laughs. "Seriously, there are a lot of differences between working in TV and film and working in theater, but in the long run, it involves the same kind of work. Acting is acting, regardless of where you do it. Masuwerte lang ako that I can cross over from theater to film, and vice-versa."

Irma has indeed been very lucky in the sense that she has worked with some of showbiz’s best actors and directors. Her co-stars have included, aside from Eddie Garcia, Nora Aunor, Sharon Cuneta, Ina Raymundo and Elizabeth Oropesa. As far as directors go, her list reads like a veritable who’s who: Maryo J. delos Reyes, Joel Lamangan, Chito Roño and Jeffrey Jeturian.

Even in theater, she has been trained by the best, among them are Tony Mabesa, Nonon Padilla, artistic director of Tanghalang Pilipino, and her husband of 21 years, Dennis Marasigan, who directed her in Anatomiya ng Korupsiyon and Buhay Ay Pelikula.

In Buhay Ay Pelikula, Irma turned in a delightfully quirky performance as Mother Lily Monteverde. She even had to learn a little Chinese for the role. Pati mga mura sa Chinese, pinag-aralan ko pa!" Unfortunately, the real Mother Lily never got to watch the play, though she was invited several times.

All in all, it’s been one fun ride for Irma Adlawan. And we’ve no doubt that as she spreads her wings, this seasoned theater performer will soar even higher, perhaps to become the Queen of Digital Films.