FOR SOME WEEKS now, Barbie Forteza is always getting positive reviews for her performance as Klay, the nursing student from the modern world who magically forays into the bygone world of “Noli Me Tangere” and met the characters there.
She even tried to alter the events that have happened in Jose Rizal’s immortal novel in trying to protect Sisa and her sons Crispin and Basilio from their tormentor, Padre Salvi.
But Klay’s efforts to change the course of the story proved futile and tragedy still happened to Sisa and her sons.
And this time, it’s Andrea Torres as Sisa who elicited rave reviews from netizens for her crackerjack portrayal of Noli’s tragic character, a mother who loses her mind when her two sons go missing.
Andrea’s crucial monologue while looking for Crispin and Basilio ran for some six minutes and she really gave it all her heart and soul, making her and Sisa trend on Twitter.
That episode was shown on November 1st and in the novel, the story of Sisa’s losing her sanity also happens on the Day of the Dead.
Past actresses who won acting awards for playing the role of Sisa include the late Anita Linda, who won the Maria Clara award in 1952, the forerunner of the Famas, for her title role portrayal of “Sisa”, as directed by Gerardo de Leon.
Then there’s Lina Cariño in the 1961 full length film of “Noli”, also directed by Gerry de Leon, with Eddie del Mar as Crisostomo Ibarra and then Bb. Pilipinas Edita Vital as Maria Clara. Lina Cariño won as Famas best supporting actress that year.
On TV, Eddie Romero made his own TV series of “Noli” with Joel Torre as Crisostomo Ibarra and Chin Chin Gutierrez as Maria Clara.
Playing the role of Sisa then was Tetchie Agbayani who is really very good and whose morena beauty truly fits the role of the ill-fated mother of two boys.
We don’t know if Andrea got to see these previous interpretations of Sisa, but we just want to tell her that she is in very good company, as netizens who praised her performance profusely would attest to.
Here are some of the comments about her acting:
“Sobrang galing nyo po! Talagang nabigyan nyo ng justice ang pagganap bilang Sisa!”
“I cried after watching you as Sisa. It breaks my heart and you were so amazing. I cannot imagine any other Sisa but only you.”
“I am so proud of you! You did great as Sisa. I will forever be your supporter.”
“Dahil sa iyo, damang-dama ko ang sakit na pinagdaanan ni Sisa, ang unti-unting paglalaho ng kanyang katinuan dahil sa dusa at pighati. Mabuhay ka!”
Needless to day, Andrea is ecstatic over all the accolades she’s getting.
“I really feel so fulfilled with all the praises I’m reading about my performance,” she says.
“I just want to let all the viewers who bothered to write their comments na nababasa ko ang lahat ng posts nila at lubos akong nagpapasalamat sa kanilang lahat.
"Pinaiyak nila ako at parang sasabog ang puso ko sa kasiyahan. Sobrang laking bagay na malamang nagustuhan nila ang pagkakaganap ko bilang Sisa.
"Pinakagusto kong comment, yung sinasabing after watching me, hindi na lang basta baliw si Sisa sa paningin nila kung isang naaping inang naghahanap sa kanyang mga nawawalang anak.
"That’s the best and I really appreciate it. Basta patuloy lang po kayong manood ng ‘Maria Clara at Ibarra’ dahil marami pa po kayong aabangang mangyayari sa kuwento nito.”
How did she prepare for the role? Did Director Zig Dulay guide her in her interpretation of Sisa?
“Nagpapasalamat talaga ako kay Direk Zig kasi he gave me to freedom to portray si Sisa ayon sa sarili kong interpretasyon.
'HIndi ko naman siya masyadong plinano. I just tried to really understand my role well, kung ano yung essence, yung core ng character ni Sisa and then played her ayon sa nararamdaman ko.
"Siempre, tinulungan din ako ng acting coach ko, si Ms. Ana Feleo.”