MANILA – Funny woman Ai Ai delas Alas has received rave reviews for her role in the indie film “Ronda,” one of 10 entries in the the 10th Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival’s “New Breed” category.
In the film directed by Nick Olanka, the comedienne takes on a dramatic role; fleshing out the part of a policewoman working the graveyard shift, dutifully patrolling Manila’s streets, while also looking for her lost son.
Critics have already given their predictions that Delas Alas will be in the running for the Best Actress Award for her performance in the movie, which also stars Cesar Montano, Julian Trono, Carlo Aquino, and Angeli Bayani.
The actress, whose career spans many years, expressed her pride over the film – which she also co-produced – to reporters from ABS-CBN News.
“Natuwa naman ako kasi for the first time iba naman ako dito. Nagkaroon na ako ng contribution sa industriya sa Cinemalaya. Kahit hindi man ako maging best actress, ma-nominate lang ako at maka-attend ako ng international film festival, ‘yun ang gusto ko talaga,” she said.
In another interview on Sunday night via radio station DZMM, Delas Alas pointed out that her Cinemalaya film brought on the realization there is always room to learn and grow, as far as her craft is concerned.
“Na-realize ko na hangga’t nandito tayo sa industriya, meron pang room for improvement. Ibig sabihin marami pa tayong kayang gawin pala, innovation. Alam mo ‘yung may ginagawa kang iba naman sa buhay mo,” she said, adding that Cinemalaya allowed her to rediscover herself as an actress.
“Maganda ang experience… Kasi siyempre iba pa rin ‘yung art eh. Bilang artist, lumalabas talaga sa katawan mo ‘yun. Gusto ko ng iba naman. Ito na nga ‘yun, first time ko sa Cinemalaya so natuwa naman ako at nakasali ako this year,” about her her venture into a dramatic role.