By Boy Villasanta
In her more than two decades in show business, Maria Rivera feels she has to embark on a new journey.
The avenue that she takes at the moment is doing a Cinemalaya film.
“Excited na excited po ako (I am very excited) to do a Cinemalaya film,” exclaimed Marian in our interview with her right after the press conference of the 20th Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival held at the Metropolitan Theater Ballroom Wednesday afternoon.
She waited for this moment, she added.
Rivera’s foray into the Cinemalaya XX is a very challenging role in progressive film director Kip Oebanda’s brave project, “Balota.”
“Kahit na po nagkapasa-pasa ako sa shooting, walang problema (Even if I got so many bruises while shooting, there’s no problem),” the actress assured.
Marian sustained contusions during difficult physical actions when she had to portray in protecting the sanctity of the ballot.
Is she expecting an award for this movie?
“Hindi po. Basta magampanan ko lang ang magandang papel para sa ating mga kababayan, okay na po sa akin ‘yon (No. As long as I am able to portray nice roles for our fellow Filipinos, that would be okay with me),” she quipped.
“Bonus na lang po ang award (It is just an incentive),” she chuckled.
As a first-time experience in Cinemalaya, Rivera is very excited in showing up to its presscon.
She drove all the way from her residence to brave the horrendous traffic just to get to Lawton in Manila where the confab was held.