Naragdagan na naman ang magagaling nating female directors. Ito si Ana Agabin, daughter of the UP College of Law Dean Pacifico Agabin, she graduated from UP in 1998 majoring in European Languages.
She was into theatre acting and after college, she joined a production outfit that produces a women’s show for ANC and makes AVP’s and docus.
In 2009, she joined Cinemalaya and directed her first full length film, “24 K,” about the search for missing treasure starring Julio Diaz and Alchris Galura.
It won best cinematography and was also nominated for the Golden Orchid Award at the Hawaii International Filmfest.
“Na-trauma ako after that,” she says. “Grabe experience ko sa dami ng problema starting with Julio, who later apologized, at dahil sa budget constraints and time pressure.
I rested for a while. I’m Ilocana so I know about the epic of Lam-ang. Before superheroes like Superman, Batman and even Panday, may Lam-ang na ang Ilocos passed on through centuries by oral tradition. I thought it’d be good material for a movie.
I met Vice Gov. DV Savellano through a friend and I mentioned the project to him. Gustung-gusto niya so, heto, gagawin ng pelikula.”
How did she choose Rocco for the title role? “Nagpa-audition kami. Many actors came but I won’t mention their names anymore. Sa lahat sa kanila, si Rocco ang sobrang galing.
Nagawa niya lahat ng pinagawa ko at swak na swak talaga siya as Lam-ang. We’re now looking for his leading lady na kailangan, brown din like him.
Playing his foil is Art Acuna while Alchris Galura will be his best friend who’s be with him in all his adventures.”
