Ai Ai delas Alas (MNS Photo)
Comedienne Ai Ai delas Alas is earning rave reviews for her dramatic turn in the indie film “Ronda,” one of the 10 films in the New Breed category of the 10th Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival.
In “Ronda,” which is directed by Nick Olanka, Delas plays a policewoman working the graveyard shift who roams the streets of Manila to fulfill her duties as a police patrol, as well as to look for her lost son.
The film also stars Cesar Montano, Julian Trono, Carlo Aquino, and Angeli Bayani.
This early, several critics are predicting that Delas Alas will be a strong contender for best actress award for her performance.
The veteran actress said she is proud of the indie film, which she also co-produced.
“Natuwa naman ako kasi for the first time iba naman ako dito. Nagkaroon na ako ng contribution sa industriya sa Cinemalaya,” she said. “Kahit hindi man ako maging best actress, ma-nominate lang ako at maka-attend ako ng international film festival, ‘yun ang gusto ko talaga.”
Meanwhile, in a separate interview on DZMM Sunday night, Delas Alas said her Cinemalaya entry made her realize that she still has a lot to learn about her craft.
“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.
Saying it felt good to portray a role far from what she normally plays, Delas Alas said: “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.”
Meanwhile, a year after her failed marriage to businessman Jed Salang, Delas Alas is back in the dating game. She admitted she is going steady with a younger man. (MNS)