Matapos ang tribute paid to Gov. Vilma Santos by the UP Film Institute in the “Ate Vi X 3” retrospective screening of her three restored films, Ate Vi will get another honor on Thursday, February 12 6 p.m., the Ani ng Dangal Award from the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA).
This is in celebration of the National Arts Month for the whole month of February. Ate Vi heads the list of awardees for artists and cultural workers who will be honored for winning international awards from various countries abroad during the past year.
Ate Vi is being recognized for the best actress award she wonfrom the Dhaka International Filmfest for her superlative performance in the title role of “Ekstra, The Bit Player,” which is again nominated in the coming Silk Road International Filmfest in China.
The Ani ng Dangal awards night will be held at the old Senate Hall of the National Museum. Congratulations once again, Ate Vi! We got to talk at length with her and she confirmed that her movie with Star Cinema for this year will definitely push through.
“Yes, for sure, tuluy na tuloy yun,” she says. “I’ll be with Angel Locsin. Light drama lang na may confrontation scenes din kasi rich woman ako rito na nagkasakit at siya ang naging caregiver ko. At first, hostile ako sa kanya pero magiging close kami eventually.
Bale second time namin ni Angel in a movie kasi nagkasama na kami before sa ‘Mano Po’ that I did with Regal, pero marami kami. Unlike ngayon na kaming dalawa lang. Mas marami kaming eksena together. O, hanggang doon na lang muna ang ikukuwento ko sa inyo ha. Si Inang (Olive Lamasan) ang magdidirek.”
She seems to really approve of Angel as a prospective daughter-in-law for her son Luis. “Oo naman. They are both mature persons now. May kanya-kanya na silang desisyon. Nasa kanila ang desisyong magpakasal at wala sa amin.
Pero excited na talaga akong magkaapo.” How does she feel that her son Luis rejected doing the movie with her and Angel? “I understand his decision. Kasi nanay niya ako, tapos girlfriend niya si Angel. Masyadong personal na at baka nga naman magamit.
So I respect him sa stand niya kasi nagkasama na naman kaming dalawa before sa ‘In My Life’.” Aside from the Ani ng Dangal award on February 12, Ate Vi proudly announces that she’ll be a special guest in the 20th anniversary of ASAP to be held at the MOA Arena on February 22.
“Abangan nyo, ha. Kakanta ako. Live. O bakit kayo tumatawa? Kaya ko naman, a. At least, ako, pagkumakanta, binabayaran pa ako,” and she laughs.
