National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts Nora Aunor is returning to the big screen via “Mananambal,” a horror effort from director Adolf Alix, Jr.
During a recent press conference, Adolf and the rest of the film’s cast, including Bianca Umali, Kelvin Miranda, Edgar Allan Guzman, Jeric Gonzales, and Martin Escudero, heaped praises on the absent Superstar.
“The opportunity to work with the Superstar, with our National Artist, is a blessing. Being with her on the set (of the film) was a master class for me. It was a dream that I never thought I would achieve this early in my career,” said Bianca, noting how loving and supportive Nora was to her all throughout the shoot.
“I’ver worked with the Superstar several times already and I still get mesmerized every time just watching her work,” intoned EA. “Very supportive siya sa mga co-stars niya, lalo na sa baguhan.”
“Nangungusap ang mga mata niya kaya bilang kaeksena niya e, nagging madali sa akin i-execute and scenes naming,” said Kelvin.
“Sa kanya ko natutunan yung dapat maging natural lang, huwag umarte, maging ikaw yung character,” said Martin.
“Sa totoo lang, mahirap i-explain kung paano siya makatrabaho. Parang feeling ko naapakadali ng mga bagay sa kanya. Very relaxed siya sa set. Hinding-hindi ka maiilang sa kanya,” added Jeric.
But where is Nora, exactly?
According to Adolf, the 71-year-old multi-awarded actress-singer skipped the proceedings following the advice of her doctors.
“Medyo sensitibo kasi ang kalagayan ni Ate Guy so, ang payo ng mga doctors e, kapag ganitong mga gathering iwas muna,” he explained.
He made clear, “Gagawan naming ng paraan na kahit paano e makapag-promote pa rin si Ate Guy. Para dun sa mga fans na matagal nang naghihintay sa kanya e, siguro we could do something remote like via social media.”
Set in Siquijor, ‘Mananambal’ follows a group of ambitious content creators who journey to Sitio Cambugahay in search of Lucia (Aunor), the “mananambal” whose extraordinary healing powers have recently gone viral.
To those not in the know, a “mananambal” is a practitioner of traditional medicine, who is also said to be capable of performing sorcery.
Lucia, has a daughter, the strong-willed Alma (Umali). She refuses to follow her mother’s path, eager to live life on her own terms.
The group’s persistence to use Alma as their way to reach Lucia, leaves the former feeling betrayed.
Upon returning to Manila, the content creators find themselves engulfed in a nightmare of inexplicable and horrifying events, with death relentlessly chasing them.
Are they victims of a mananambal’s curse, or is something far darker at play?
The film has already received international acclaim, having been showcased at the Jinseo Arigato International Film Festival in Japan in May last year.
There, Umali was honored with the Best Dramatic Actress award for her performance in the film.
“This means the world to me,” Umali said in her acceptance speech. “This award acknowledges all of the hard work and dedication that I have poured into my craft and in this project.”
Umali also dedicated the award to the one and only La Aunor: “Karangalan ko po na makatrabaho kayo and I hope that you are here with me, maraming maraming salamat po.”
“Mananambal” opens in cinemas February 19.
