THIS EARLY, we are predicting that Aiko Melendez and Nora Aunor will be the main rivals as best actress in the Cinemalaya Directors Showcase category which has 5 entries. We’ve seen their entries and both are must see films. Aiko gives a heartfelt portrayal of an impoverished farmer mom fighting for the survival of her family against a crime lord in “Asintado”, but Ate Guy has the more attention getting role as the probinsiyana who gets corrupted by the big city in “Hustisya”, where she is in 99% of the movie from start to end.
In the New Breed category where there are ten film entries, those who will compete for the best actress trophy are Ai Ai de las Alas as the lonely female cop troubled by so many problems in “Ronda”, Eula Valdes as the writing workshop organizer/teacher who has an affair with one of their younger participants in “Dagitab”, Angeli Bayani as the mother whose daughter is eaten by a crocodile in “Bwaya” and Mara Lopez as the Tboli princess Ida del Mundo’s (daughter of Doy del Mundo) debut film, “K’Na, The Dream Weaver”. Of course, also running in contention is Nova Villa as the aging grandma who meets again her first love during their sunset years, Freddie Webb, in “1st Ko si 3rd”.
The Cinemalaya formally opens tonight at CCP then regular screening of the 15 full length film entries starts showing tomorrow at the CCP and all Ayala Mall cinemas. Let’s all support it. Jose Javier Reyes, member of the screening committee and also a juror, swears that this is a very exciting year as all the entries are worth watching.