Twice in a row, Ina Feleo won Best Actress in Cinemalaya, last year for Endo and this year for Sanglaan, directed by Milo Sogueco. Because her mom, Laurice Guillen, is one of the moving forces behind the annual film of indie films, eyebrows inevitably soared. Well, you know…
But Ina has learned to shrug it off. Why dignify the detractors with a reaction?
In the following Q&A, Ina talks about her craft and how it feels to be the daughter of respected actors (her dad is Johnny Delgado) from under whose shadow she is slowly but surely moving out.
Sorry for asking, but how did your mom feel about insinuations about your winning?
“She just advised me to keep my cool, although she felt na may mga ganoong insinuations. When she saw Sanglaan, she told me that she felt that I would win and she was a bit worried na if I won baka may ibang isipin na naman ang ibang tao. But then, my mom had nothing to do with the deliberation or the judging. Every year naman, iba ang board of judges and my mom has nothing to do with them. She was even kidding me, ‘Huwag ka na ngang sumali baka manalo ka na naman at may masabi sila’.”
What did you say?
“Sabi ko, ‘Sayang naman. It’s only in indie films that I get to play good roles, ‘yung talagang malalaking roles.’ You see, I’ve never gotten an offer for mainstream movies.”
What tips did you get from your mom?
“Study the script. Be truthful in your acting. Everything daw kasi must come from the heart.”
And from your dad?
“He always reminds me na huwag uulit ng acting para hindi daw predictable. He watches my performance and then he will say. ‘Huwag mo nang uulitin ‘yon’.”
How different is your role in Sanglaan from the one in Endo (her second indie starrer, with Jason Abalos as leading man; the first having been Bulong, another Cinemalaya entry)?
“In Endo, I play a confident woman na medyo agresibo. In Sanglaan, kabaliktaran naman. I play a shy woman na mababa ang self-esteem.”
You have theater experience (she once starred in Romeo & Juliet). I’m sure you make use of it when you act in a movie?
“Yes, of course, I do. Actually, I started not in theater but in dance. I was a member of the Bayanihan with which I performed in different parts of the world. My sister naman was into singing which is medyo malayo because neither my mom nor my dad sings.”
Did your parents encourage you to go into acting?
“Not really. They let us pursue whatever we want to, pero supportive sila sa anuman ang gawin namin. They never dictate on us.”
Would you eventually direct movies like your mom?
“I guess so. Actually, I just did a short film titled Labing-Labing. Sina Mommy at Daddy ang bida. The opening scene shows my dad taking a shower. Mayroon siyang butt exposure. Hehehehehe! Nakalagay sa script ko ‘yon, but I was careful about taking the shot. Sabi niya, ‘Okay lang, kunan mo na ang puwet ko.’ So, ganoon. We showed it at CCP, exhibition lang and not competition, at sold-out ‘yon”
How was the experience?
“Ang hirap pala magdirek. It’s a big responsibility. But I was happy because doon lang ulit nagsama ang mom at dad ko after a long time.”
Do you have any other movie project in mind?
“I have one but it’s too premature to talk about it.”
Which of your mom’s films do you like most?
“Salome, Tanging Yaman and Dolzura. Sayang nga I haven’t seen all her films.”
If you were to remake any of your mom’s movies, what would it be?
“All of them! Hehehehehe!”
(Note: After a stint in the ABS-CBN show Precious Romance Presents Bud Brothers, Ina will be seen next in Tonyong Bayawak, one of the four Ramon Revilla movie starrers being televised also by ABS-CBN.)
Patti Page is finally coming
Known as America’s original Singing Sweetheart, Page popularized such hits as Tennessee Waltz, I Went To Your Wedding, (How Much is That) Doggie in The Window and Mockin’ Bird Hill.
Patti Page: The Greatest Hits Tour is presented by Access Productions and RJ 100-FM and sponsored by, among others, The Philippine STAR, Solar Entertainment and Crowne Plaza Hotel (Page’s official residence).
Tickets are priced at P4,000 (Patron A), P3,500 (Patron B), P3,000 (Lower Box), P1,800 (Upper Box A), P1,000 (Upper Box B) and P600 (General Admission. (For inquiries, call 911-5555.)
(E-mail reactions at rickylo@philstar.net.ph or at entphilstar@yahoo.com)