Dindi Gallardo returns to acting after 15 years

MANILA – Former beauty queen Dindi Gallardo is back in front of the camera 15 years after her last acting project.

Speaking at the Cinema One Originals press conference on Tuesday, Gallardo shared that she will be part of the independent film “Dahlin Nick,” a documentary drama about the life and work of National Artist for Literature Nick Joaquin.

The movie is one of the nine official entries to this year’s Cinema One Originals film festival.

“This is the first film that I’m doing in 15 years. It was great. It’s a cameo but a memorable one. I enjoyed it,” she said.

In the movie, Gallardo will play the role of Imelda Marcos.

Asked how she prepared for her role, Gallardo said: “No matter how small or how short the role was, I had to still do my research because she had a certain type of aura and presence. I had to have that. Not really copy her but just my interpretation of her.”

Playing her husband in the movie is Lance Raymundo, who is equally ecstatic about playing the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos.

“It was a major challenge. I already played Emilio Aguinaldo in the past and Lapu-Lapu. Itong mga taong ito, ang basehan ng tao ay mga larawan and kung anong nababasa nila about these people. But Ferdinand Marcos actually existed in our time,” he said.

“He’s very iconic so everybody knows the way he moves, the way he sounds. Isa pang challenge, 'yung pag-impersonate kay Marcos is usually done in comedy. But this time, he’s being portrayed as he is. Talagang inaral ko ang mga footages niya on YouTube and I prayed a lot,” he said.

“Dahlin Nick” and the other entries of the Cinema One Originals will be screened in theaters in Trinoma, Glorietta, SM Megamall and Resorts World from November 9 to 17.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Angelica wins best actress in Cinema One fest

MANILA – The movie “Alamat ni China Doll” starring Angelica Panganiban was a major winner at this year’s Cinema One Originals Film Festival held at ABS-CBN's Dolphy Theater on Saturday night.

Panganiban was named best actress as the Adolf Alix Jr.-directed film brought home five other major awards in the Plus Category, including Best Picture, Best Sound, Best Music, Best Editing and Best Cinematography.

The movie tells the story of Helen (Panganiban) who lives with her grandmother in a southern island. But when an article titled “China Doll” reveals details about a controversy, Helen's life is in a for a change.

The other awardees in the Plus Category are:

Best Production Design – “Blue Bustamante”
Best Screenplay – “Sitio”
Best Supporting Actor – Peque Gallaga ("Woman of the Ruins")
Best Supporting Actress – Bing Pimentel ("Kabisera")
Best Actor – Joel Torre ("Kabisera")
Best Director – Borgy Torre ("Kabisera")
Jury Award – “Sitio”

The films under this category were given a production budget of P2 million, as compared to the movies under the Currents Category, which only had a P1-million budget.

The winners in the Currents Category are:

Best Sound – “Islands”
Best Music – “Riddles of my Homecoming”
Best Production Design – “Riddles of my Homecoming”
Best Editing – “Saturday Night Chills”
Best Cinematography – “Riddles of my Homecoming”
Best Screenplay – “Bukas na lang Sapagkat Gabi Na”
Best Supporting Actor – David Chua ("Saturday Night Chills")
Best Supporting Actress – Anna Luna ("Bendor")
Best Actor – Rayver Cruz, Matteo Guidicelli and Joseph Marco ("Saturday Night Chills")
Best Actress – Vivian Velez ("Bendor")
Best Director – Arnel Mardoquio ("Riddles of my Homecoming:)
Jury Award – “Riddles of my Homecoming”
Best Picture – “Bukas na lang Sapagkat Gabi Na”

The film “Woman of the Ruins" won the Audience Choice Award, while the film “Magic Touch” by the students from the University of the East Caloocan won the Biogesic Ingat na Damang Dama Sineserye Award.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com